Printers’ Unity Day unites global print community

The global print community came together on 22 October to observe the fifth edition of Printers’ Unity Day, reaffirming solidarity in a sector that continues to evolve through digital transformation and sustainable practices. Established in 2021 in honour of Prof Kamal Mohan Chopra, the initiative has grown into a worldwide celebration of the print industry’s adaptability and shared vision for progress.

Reports from associations across India, Europe, Asia, and the Americas indicated a strong yet changing industry. The global printing market was valued at around USD 343.63-billion in 2025, supporting more than 1,97,000 commercial printing businesses and 3,61,498 professionals in the United States alone. Analysts forecast the market to reach USD 510.33-billion by 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.7%, signalling steady growth despite ongoing challenges.

Prof Kamal Chopra, general secretary of the Offset Printers’ Association (OPA) and founder of Printers’ Unity Day, said the milestone year reaffirmed the industry’s spirit of collaboration. “Printers’ Unity Day has become more than an annual event. It is a living reminder that print, even in a digital world, continues to bind communities together through knowledge and creativity,” he said. “Our strength lies in collective purpose. When 35 associations across continents come together, we are not just celebrating print; we are shaping its future.”

More than 5,000 professionals participated in innovation and sustainability sessions held globally, focusing on the rise of digital printing, which now commands 48% of the total market and is projected to touch USD 167.5 billion this year. Environmental themes took centre stage, with seminars on waterless printing, recycled substrates, and carbon reduction. In India, the Offset Printers’ Association hosted a session on award-winning print jobs and discussed how unity could help small printers tackle GST and regulatory pressures.

Parallel debates in Mumbai, London, and New York examined market realignment. Traditional print volumes declined by 3.7% CAGR over five years, while packaging emerged as the growth driver, expected to contribute 60% of industry expansion in the coming years. Despite the shift, the overall print sector maintained a 2.5% annual growth trajectory, with projections pointing toward a USD 960-billion valuation by the end of 2025.

Celebrations also extended beyond formal discussions. Across 20 countries, more than 10,000 printers and their families joined cultural gatherings, barbecues, and intergenerational storytelling sessions. In China, the Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication organised a student design competition with 500 participants, showcasing 3D printing and AI-driven workflows aimed at sustainable packaging. The winning entries are expected to impact the USD 2.32-billion sheetfed offset segment this year.

Prof Chopra said the enthusiasm underscored print’s enduring significance. “The industry has shown remarkable resilience. Despite the challenges, print has adapted, innovated, and sustained millions of livelihoods worldwide,” he said. “Unity is the ink that never fades. When printers stand together, they print not just pages but progress.”