Inkjet Printers – Evolution, Market Impact, And The Future Ahead

BEGINNINGS OF INKJET PRINTING

Inkjet printers first made their debut in the 1950s, but it wasn’t until the 1970s and 1980s that the technology began to take shape into the form recognizable today. The development of inkjet technology was driven by the need for high-quality, reliable, and affordable printing solutions. The early research into inkjet technology was conducted by companies like Canon, Epson, and Hewlett-Packard (HP), who sought to revolutionize the printing industry by making printers accessible to both businesses and home users.

The initial models were large, expensive, and primarily used for commercial purposes. However, as technology advanced, these printers became more compact, affordable, and suitable for everyday use. By the late 1980s and early 1990s, inkjet printers had entered the consumer market, offering a viable alternative to the dot matrix and laser printers that dominated at the time.

MARKET PENETRATION AND GROWTH  

The widespread adoption of inkjet printers can be attributed to several key factors. First, they provided high-quality prints with better color accuracy and resolution than dot matrix printers. Second, they were more affordable than laser printers, making them accessible to a broader audience. As a result, by the 1990s, inkjet printers began to capture a significant share of the printer market.

By the early 2000s, inkjet printers had solidified their place in both the home and office environments. Companies like Canon, HP, Epson, and Brother were at the forefront of this market, continually innovating and improving their products. According to market research, by the 2010s, inkjet printers accounted for a substantial portion of the global printer market. Reports indicated that inkjet printers held a market share of approximately 30-40%, with variations depending on the region and specific market segment.

KEY PLAYERS IN THE INKJET PRINTER MARKET

Several companies have played pivotal roles in development and success of inkjet printers:

Pros and Cons of Inkjet Printers    

Inkjet printers offer a range of advantages and some drawbacks that consumers should consider:

Pros

1. High-Quality Prints: Inkjet printers are known for their superior print quality, especially when it comes to color prints. They can produce sharp, vibrant images with excellent detail, making them ideal for photo printing.

2. Affordability: Inkjet printers are generally less expensive than laser printers, making them accessible to a wider audience. The initial cost of an inkjet printer is typically lower, which is a significant advantage for home users and small businesses.

3. Versatility: Inkjet printers can print on various media types, including photo paper, labels, and even fabric. This versatility makes them suitable for a wide range of applications.

4. Compact Size: Inkjet printers are often smaller and more compact than their laser counterparts, making them easier to fit into tight spaces in home offices or small workspaces.

5. Easy Setup and Use: Many inkjet printers are designed with user-friendliness in mind, offering straightforward setup processes and intuitive interfaces.

   Cons

1. Ink Costs: One of the main drawbacks of inkjet printers is the cost of ink. Ink cartridges can be expensive, and frequent printing can lead to high ongoing costs.

2. Print Speed: Inkjet printers are generally slower than laser printers, particularly when printing large volumes of documents. This can be a disadvantage in busy office environments where speed is essential.

3. Durability and Maintenance: Inkjet printers can be prone to clogging and other maintenance issues, especially if not used regularly. This can result in additional costs and downtime for repairs.

4. Water Sensitivity: Prints from inkjet printers are often more susceptible to smudging and water damage compared to laser prints. Special coated papers can mitigate this, but it adds to the cost.

5. Longevity of Prints: Although modern inks have improved, some inkjet prints may fade over time, particularly if exposed to light or not stored properly.

India Inkjet Printer Market Size & Share Analysis – Growth Trends & Forecasts (2024-2029)

The India Inkjet Printer Market is segmented by End- user Industry (Books, Commercial Print, Advertising Print, Transactional Print, Labels, Packaging, and Security). The market sizes and forecasts are in terms of value (USD million) for all these segments.

Customer Preferences and Demand Patterns in India Inkjet Printer Market

The India Inkjet Printer Market is anticipated to register a CAGR of 3.85% over the forecast period. Inkjet printers perform a better job of blending smooth colors compared to laser printers. Inkjet printers have a low start-up cost. The printers are less expensive than laser printers, and inkjet ink cartridges are cheaper than toner cartridges. As markets and consumers continue to evolve rapidly, several brand owners and label converters are realizing inkjet printing is the best option to keep up with modern trends like fast availability and personalization.

Contemporary inkjet printers use two leading technologies: drop-on-demand (DOD) and continuous inkjet technology (CIJ). Continuous inkjet technology uses a high-pressure pump to direct liquid ink from an ink reservoir using a microscopic nozzle gun body, creating a constant stream of ink drops. The continuous inkjet method is applicable for coding and marking products. CIJ (continuous inkjet printers) are preferred over manual systems by consumers for printing on bottles and packages. Additionally, several end users are switching from traditional analogy technologies to digital coding solutions. The inkjet printers offer several benefits, such as high-speed printing, printing characters on virtually any material, and running for long hours with minimum cost-effectiveness and servicing requirements. Owing to such additional benefits, the application of inkjet printers is growing in the aerospace, food, and beverage sectors, thus driving the growth of the Indian inkjet printer market.

ColorJet Group, an India-based manufacturer of digital textile printers which markets its products in 20 countries worldwide, recently has sought government support for its future research and development (R&D) in digital textile printing. The shift from traditional textile printing to digital ensures a reduction in the carbon footprint and is the need of the hour. Despite declining demand, inkjet printer shipments grew recently, primarily by Epson. Ink tank printers drive the growth, which recorded the highest growth in the last five quarters due to high demand from the commercial segment and government bodies.

Large Format Inkject Printers to Hold Major Share

• The significant factors fueling the growth of inkjet printers include increasing demand for large format printing in the packaging industries, textiles, advertising; and rising adoption of UV curable inks in outdoor advertising, CAD, and technical printing applications; and the increasing importance of digital document production in commercial printing applications.
• The rising demand for large format printers for home furnishing and decor and vehicle wrap applications, the increasing requirement for large format printing from the in-plant market, as well as the availability of varieties of large format printers with a varied price range are creating tremendous growth opportunities for the players in India.
• The increased emphasis on maintaining color consistency across batches has led to an increase in dye sublimation and other direct-to-fabric processes resulting in the shift from traditional analog screen printing to inkjet printing format production.

The Commercial Segment is expected to Witness Significant Growth

• The significant advantage of using inkjets is their ability to produce short runs and unique products effectively. Online ordering and specification growth using web-to-print technology drives commercial printing. Inkjets’ capacity to produce short runs and one-off products has reinforced its role as a critical enabler in such an ecosystem.
• India is one of the largest producers of apparel and textile. Inkjet printers are likely in high demand because of their growing use in graphics printing, clothing and textiles printing, computer-aided design (CAD), and technical printing applications. The growth in the market for large format printers is likely to be observed in signage, and advertising applications in India, mainly due to the booming economy. According to FICCI, the value of the print industry across India has been over USD 2.75 billion in recent times. You can expect these statistics to exceed INR 250 billion (USD 3.1 billion) by 2024, indicating a CAGR of around 3%.
• Also, several vendors providing inkjet printers in large numbers offer all-in-one printers, as many businesses widely use them. As the new small companies ramp up in the region, these vendors are introducing new technologically integrated all-in-one printers as a part of their product portfolio. The major players in this segment are HP Inc., Canon, Epson, etc., contributing to the growth of inkjet printers.
• Inkjet printers, on a global basis, including India, enjoyed positive year-over-year growth in unit shipments. Ink tank printers will continue gaining traction and compensate for the decline in shipments of laser printers.

  The Future of Inkjet Printing        

As technology continues to evolve, inkjet printers are likely to see further innovations that address some of their current drawbacks. Companies are investing in research to develop more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly printing solutions. The introduction of refillable ink tanks and subscription-based ink delivery services are examples of how the industry is adapting to consumer needs.

Additionally, advancements in print speed, durability, and connectivity are expected to enhance the user experience. The integration of smart technology, such as mobile printing and cloud connectivity, is also set to become more prevalent, making inkjet printers even more versatile and convenient.

Conclusion      

As technology continues to evolve, inkjet printers are likely to see further innovations that address some of their current drawbacks. Companies are investing in research to develop more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly printing solutions. The introduction of refillable ink tanks and subscription-based ink delivery services are examples of how the industry is adapting to consumer needs.

Additionally, advancements in print speed, durability, and connectivity are expected to enhance the user experience. The integration of smart technology, such as mobile printing and cloud connectivity, is also set to become more prevalent, making inkjet printers even more versatile and convenient.

Covered By: Imaging Solution / Inkjet Printers

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