Demand grows for customized printed products within the U.S. printing industry. For every 100 consumers, a striking 91% now prefer shopping with brands that provide personalized recommendations, according to Forbes. This trend has directly driven the adoption of so-called hybrid printing technologies that yield high-quality personalization—at scale—for diverse industries.
The need for shorter lead times, faster job-completion cycles and cost-effective solutions has increased the use of hybrid-print tech. Within a single system, hybrid printing combines the precision, speed, and flexibility of digital printing and the reliability and high-quality output of traditional analog techniques. Besides enabling more seamless workflows, the blended production method reduces waste. This melding also expands creative possibilities through advanced features, such as variable data and inline finishing. It is particularly beneficial in environments that require the flexibility of digital printing for short runs and the economic advantages of conventional litho for larger volumes.
Interested parties should note that digital personalization extends beyond marketing applications; multiple inkjet printheads now can align to cover an entire page. This fusion with conventional, offset lithography empowers commercial print providers to deliver large-scale customization efficiently and profitably. Just how BIG is the hybrid print market getting? (See below.)
VDP, E-commerce, and Packaging
Three major forces are driving the hybrid printing technologies market:
- the increasing demand for customized and variable-data printing (VDP)
- the need for higher efficiency in print production
- the push towards reducing environmental impacts
Integrated systems address these needs by offering the ability to switch between digital and traditional printing within a single job, thereby optimizing production efficiency and reducing waste. The ability to connect advanced features, such as automation and job tracking, appeals to modern businesses looking to enhance productivity and quality. Other innovations include improvements in inkjet technology, more precise color-matching systems, and the development of software to better coordinate the different stages of the print process.
The market for hybrid printing technologies is pushed by the need for greater efficiency and versatility in printing processes. As businesses seek to reduce turnaround times and cater to more custom needs, they favor hybrid printing systems as the answer. This tech convergence supports a more streamlined production process and expands the applications of printing, making hybrid systems a compelling choice for many industries.
By adopting the hybrid model, printing companies can enhance productivity, meet diverse customer needs and drive business growth in an increasingly competitive market. In addition to personalized products on demand, e-commerce expansion and digital retail platforms have increased the need for high-quality packaging and labeling solutions. Hybrid printing technologies offer the ability to produce smaller volumes of customized labels and packaging quickly, which is essential for online retailers. This has led to increased adoption of hybrid printing in the packaging sector, particularly for small to medium-sized enterprises that require flexible printing solutions.
Last but certainly not least, the push towards sustainability is driving the development of eco-friendly inks, recyclable substrates, and energy-efficient hybrid printers. New tech incorporates water-based and UV-curable inks, which are less harmful to the environment. Energy-saving features, such as LED curing systems, are being integrated to reduce the carbon footprint of printing operations.
Consider bolting on CMYK color or monochrome inkjet modules, such as the DDS iDataPrint Freedom Series, to web presses in 2025. DDS offers several print technology and specialty ink options to suit your needs including spot colors and MICR. Learn about hybrid inkjet solutions here.
The Hybrid Print Opportunity
The global hybrid printing technologies market, valued at $5.3 billion (USD) in 2024, is projected to nearly triple over the next eight years: (to some $14.7 billion! This skyrocketing expansion reflects an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 12% during the forecast period (2024-33), reports research firm Market.US/Prudour Pvt. Ltd. (India). North America has emerged as a leading region in this sector, holding a dominant market share of more than 35.8% in 2023 and generating approximately $1.7 billion in revenue.