Country reports highlight growth in packaging and digital printing, rising automation, labour challenges and the continuing transformation of the print industry across Asia

The Asia Print meeting brought together representatives from Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines and Sri Lanka for a comprehensive review of developments across the region’s printing, packaging and allied industries.

The meeting opened with Mr. A. Jixin, Secretary General, Asia Print, inviting Mr. Yang Bin, President of Asia Print and Vice Chairman of PEIAC, to address the gathering. Mr. Yang thanked Ms. Belle Yam for hosting the meeting and congratulated her and the Kaizer Exhibitions and Conferences Sdn Bhd team on the successful 16th edition of IPMEX 2026. He also extended his greetings to the organisation on its 30th anniversary.

Following Ms. Belle Yam’s welcome, members introduced themselves before the minutes of the previous two meetings, held in Kuala Lumpur in August 2025 and Jakarta in October 2025, were unanimously approved.

The meeting then moved to the country reports, providing a useful snapshot of the opportunities, challenges and technological shifts shaping the Asian printing industry.

China: From Printed Products to Technology and Solutions

Presenting the China report, Mr. Yang Bin noted that the country’s printing industry remains broadly stable in terms of overall scale, although companies continue to face pressure on profit margins.

More significantly, he pointed to a quiet but important transformation in China’s printing industry. The development model is gradually shifting from the export of finished printed products towards the export of printing equipment, technologies and integrated industrial solutions.

Mr. Yang also updated members on the progress of PRINT CHINA 2027. The exhibition has already reached a total area of approximately 180,000 sq. m., with 1,335 exhibitors from more than 25 countries. Organisers expect more than 225,000 professional visitors from around 105 countries, representing a projected 62% increase over the previous edition.

The theme of PRINT CHINA 2027 is “Linking Global Print, Unleashing a Grand Future.”

“We believe that PRINT CHINA 2027 will be the most influential global printing industry event the world will see next year,” Mr. Yang said, while encouraging all Asia Print members to visit the exhibition and experience its technology and business opportunities.

He also revealed an interesting initiative being considered by the PRINT CHINA 2027 organisers: inviting around 80 young people from different countries on an all-expenses-paid visit to the exhibition to help them understand the present state and future potential of the printing industry.

“Considering the lack of interest amongst Gen Z towards our industry, we feel it is our responsibility to guide them in the right path and show them the bright future that they can have in the industry. If this plan is realised, it will be a small step towards it,” Mr. Yang concluded.

Bangladesh: Printing and Packaging Emerging as an Economic Pillar

Mr. Zulkor Shahin, 2nd Vice President, Asia Print, presented the Bangladesh report, highlighting the country’s rapidly expanding paper and packaging sector.

He noted that paper and packaging had been declared the “Product of the Year 2026”, attracting significant investment. The Garment Accessories & Packaging (GAP) sector contributes approximately US$7.5 billion in exports and comprises more than 2,100 factories employing around 750,000 workers.

Mr. Shahin stressed that printing is increasingly moving beyond its traditional role as a supporting industry.

“The printing industry is no longer just a supporting cast member but has matured into a standalone economic pillar for the country,” he said, inviting international investors to explore opportunities in Bangladesh’s printing and packaging sectors.

He also invited Asia Print members to attend Print Tech Bangladesh 2026, scheduled for September 24–26, 2026, at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka.

Japan: Automation and Smart Factories Drive the Future

Mr. Kazou Satomi presented the Japanese industry report, noting that the country’s printing sector continues to face structural challenges. According to the latest statistics from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), most printing segments—including publishing, commercial, security and office printing—are experiencing declines. Packaging printing, however, remains an exception.

Japan’s printing machinery exports increased by 5.8% in 2025, while imports declined by a similar margin, reflecting the changing dynamics of the domestic market. Mr. Satomi highlighted automation, labour saving, unmanned operations and digital transformation as key priorities for Japanese printers. “Smart factories are the current trend in Japan,” he said.

He also invited Asia Print members to IGAS 2027 (International Graphics Arts Show), to be held from August 5–9, 2027, at Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo. Automation and robotics are expected to be among the major themes of the exhibition.

Philippines: Packaging and Digital Printing Create New Opportunities

Ms. Rosemarie T. Ellema presented the Philippines report, highlighting continued growth in packaging, labels and digital printing, particularly applications centred on personalisation. At the same time, printers remain under pressure from rising costs of paper, ink and other consumables.

“For the printing industry, the market remains active but businesses are operating in a slower-growth and higher-cost environment,” she observed. The industry is nevertheless undergoing significant transformation. Traditional commercial and office printing continues to face competition from digital alternatives, while packaging, labels, digital printing, signage, wide-format, specialty and personalised printing are opening up new opportunities.

Ms. Ellema also highlighted the Print Philippines–PrintCon Unified Show 2026, held from July 2–4 at the SMX Convention Center Manila. The event brought together printers, equipment manufacturers, suppliers, technology providers and other stakeholders from across the printing, packaging and finishing sectors. “The Philippine printing industry is not disappearing—it is transforming. Its future lies in technology, packaging, digitalisation, automation, sustainability and higher-value printing solutions,” she concluded.

India: Packaging Continues to Power Industry Growth

Representing India, Mr. Kuljeet Singh Maan, newly elected President of IPAMA, reported strong demand across packaging, labels, publishing and digital printing applications.

He put the value of India’s printing industry at approximately US$3.7 billion in 2024, with around 260,000 printing companies, underlining the highly fragmented nature of the Indian market. Packaging, he noted, remains the principal growth engine. The Indian packaging market was valued at approximately US$26.1 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach US$48.0 billion by 2033. Paper packaging consumption is also expanding, increasing from 14.93 million tonnes in 2023–24 to 15.54 million tonnes in 2024–25.

Mr. Maan invited Asia Print members to attend the 17th Printpack India 2027, scheduled for January 30–February 3, 2027, at India Expo Centre, Greater Noida, Delhi NCR.

Sri Lanka: Strong Demand Across Packaging and End-User Industries

Eng. Janaka Rathnakumara, President of the Sri Lanka Association of Printers (SLAP), presented the Sri Lankan industry report.

According to information from Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, the country has approximately 3,200 printing establishments. When packaging and related industries are included, the wider sector encompasses approximately 3,843 establishments. The industry also faces a significant requirement for skilled manpower. The Ministry estimates demand for approximately 5,000 additional printing workers annually during 2025–2030.

Sri Lanka’s printing industry employs a broad range of technologies, including offset, flexographic, gravure, screen and digital printing. Packaging represents a particularly important opportunity, covering flexible packaging, cartons, corrugated, labels, plastics, metal, glass and PET. Major end-user industries include apparel, tea, FMCG, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and agriculture.

The figures underline the importance of packaging as a driver of print demand in Sri Lanka and the growing need for skilled professionals capable of operating increasingly sophisticated production technologies.

Malaysia: A Broader, Smarter and More Connected Industry

Ms. Tan Jock Hong, President of SFTCPPA, presented the Malaysian industry report, offering a positive assessment of the sector’s direction. “Malaysia’s printing industry is not becoming smaller but broader, smarter and more connected, creating more value from every print,” she said.

Malaysia recorded approximately US$215 million in investment in paper, printing and publishing in 2024, with 30 approved projects expected to generate employment opportunities for more than 2,500 people.

Ms. Tan also pointed to wider economic indicators as an important backdrop for the printing industry. Malaysia recorded GDP growth of 5.2% in 2025, while manufacturing sales reached approximately US$482.4 billion, reflecting the continued strength of the manufacturing base that supports demand for print.

Growth opportunities are particularly visible in industrial packaging, regulatory labels, component labels, technical printing, chipping packaging, inserts and board packaging. Folding cartons, flexible packaging, corrugated and promotional packaging also continue to offer significant opportunities. “As more commerce moves online, the more the physical infrastructure required to fulfil it, fuelling growth in printing and packaging too,” Ms. Tan observed.

A Entire Region in Transition

The country reports presented at the Asia Print meeting revealed a common theme despite significant differences between individual markets: printing in Asia is not disappearing—it is evolving.

Across the region, packaging continues to provide the strongest growth engine, while digitalisation, automation, personalisation, smart manufacturing and higher-value applications are reshaping traditional print markets. At the same time, printers are dealing with rising input costs, pressure on margins, labour shortages and changing customer expectations. The discussions also highlighted the importance of attracting a new generation of professionals to the industry. From China’s proposed initiative to bring young people to PRINT CHINA 2027 to Japan’s focus on smart factories and automation, the message from Asia Print was clear: the industry’s future will depend not only on technology and investment, but also on developing the people who will drive its next phase of growth.

For an industry undergoing such profound change, platforms such as Asia Print provide an increasingly important opportunity for the region’s printing communities to share experiences, identify common challenges and build new avenues for cooperation.