As gravure maintains its stronghold in long-run, high-quality packaging, flexography is accelerating as the industry’s most versatile print process. From flexible packaging to labels, cartons, and corrugated formats, flexo’s unique blend of cost-efficiency, adaptability, and scalability is reshaping the global packaging print landscape. Ben Daniel, Editor of Packaging MEA, reports on how converters across regions are leveraging flexo’s rise.
The Global Picture
According to Smithers’ Future of Flexographic Printing Markets to 2029, the global value of flexographic printing reached USD 230.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to climb to USD 262.7 billion by 2029, growing at 3.0% CAGR. Corrugated board, flexible packaging, labels, and folding cartons remain the key growth segments, led by North America and Western Europe.
Flexography currently accounts for around 40% of printed packaging worldwide, dominating nearly 60% of flexible packaging output. In North America, 80% of packaging print is produced using flexo, compared to around 50% in Europe and 20% in Asia.
Flexo’s Full Potential
Three priorities stand out:
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Broadening applications: Fully leveraging flexo’s printing and converting potential across flexible packs, fibrebased cartons, and corrugated structures.
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Shifting perceptions: Moving beyond gravure-dominated workflows by showcasing flexo’s cost, speed, and quality.
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Integrating next-gen tech: Expanded Color Gamut (ECG), robotics, and automation boosting efficiency and consistency.
Built for Purpose
Flexo is not a one-size-fits-all process. Configurations include:
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CI Presses for film, foil, and paper substrates, delivering compact, high-efficiency solutions.
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Stack Presses excelling in corrugated and folding cartons.
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Inline Presses optimized for labels, folding cartons, and security applications.
The MEA Flexo Moment
The Middle East and Africa are at a turning point, with converters moving away from gravure-centric models to CI flexo for faster setups, lower costs, and sustainability-focused workflows.
Voices from the Frontline
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Husam Al Zeera (Oriental Press, Bahrain): Emphasized the leap in client trust when adopting CI flexo to deliver consistent quality and flexible SKUs.
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Vatche Kavlakian (CEO, NDGITEC): Noted CI flexo’s growing traction in MEA, driven by innovations in plate technology and collaboration in prepress.
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Suhas Kulkarni (SOMA – South Asia): Highlighted CI flexo’s role in mainstream flexible packaging, edible films, and mid-run applications.
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Andrew Hewitson (Reproflex3): Stressed the need for integrated workflows, skilled teams, and strategic partnerships to maximize flexo’s potential.
The Road Ahead
As gravure yields ground in some segments, flexo is increasingly seen as the adaptable, cost-efficient print process for packaging’s future. With automation, ECG, hybridization, and sustainability at its core, flexography is positioned to remain a cornerstone of modern print production.
Upcoming Flexo Rising series will cover:
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September–October 2025: “Flexo in Transition: Technology, Hybridization, and the New Pressroom Ecosystem”
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November–December 2025: “Flexo 2030: Scaling for a Sustainable Future.”