Skip to main content
While printing has changed a lot over the last few years, businesses still rely on print to keep things moving. The educational, healthcare, and legal sectors continue to print documents daily. Plus, warehouses still depend on labels, and general offices still need contracts, invoices, and marketing materials.
In 2026, the printer industry is being shaped by AI-powered workflows, cloud-based print management, thermal labeling growth from e-commerce, and sustainability initiatives focused on reducing long-term operational costs and carbon output. This comes at a time when office environments are becoming more hybrid, more digital, and more security-conscious.
In fact, Fortune Business Insights reports that the global printer market is projected to grow from $54.22 billion in 2026 to more than $71 billion by 2034, driven by cloud printing, multifunction devices, e-commerce growth, and workflow automation.
As a long-time print vendor, we stay closely connected to where the industry is heading so we can help businesses make smarter long-term print decisions. Some trends come and go quickly, while others fundamentally change how businesses manage documents, workflows, security, and printing costs.
In this article, we’ll break down the seven biggest printer industry trends shaping 2026, what they actually mean for businesses, and why they matter moving forward.
Table of Contents
- AI-Powered Printer Apps & Workflow Automation
- IT & Digital Services Continue Expanding
- More Offices Are Choosing Inkjet Printers
- Thermal Label Printing Continues Rising with E-Commerce
- Managed Print Services Become More Cloud-Driven
- Bio-Toner & High-Yield Consumables Gain Traction
- Sustainability Efforts Shift Toward Carbon Reduction
- FAQ
Top 7 Trends in the Printer Industry for 2026
AI- Automation
These days, it seems like Artificial Intelligence is everywhere, and the printer industry is no exception. In 2026, businesses are using more AI-powered print software and workflow tools to automate repetitive tasks, improve document routing, reduce downtime, and simplify print management.
You see this especially in hybrid workplaces where employees need faster access to cloud documents, secure printing, and automated workflows across multiple locations.
Printers are increasingly becoming connected workflow hubs that support things like intelligent scanning workflows, predictive maintenance alerts, and AI-assisted print optimization.
For example:
- HP Print AI uses AI-assisted features to improve print setup and optimize output quality.
- Xerox Workflow Central helps businesses automate tasks like document conversion, translation, redaction, and summarization.
- Canon continues integrating AI-assisted image and color optimization into production environments.
AI-powered workflow automation helps businesses and organizations reduce manual work and improve document accuracy and operational efficiency.
As print environments become more connected, businesses are starting to evaluate printers less like hardware and more like workflow technology platforms.
Want to learn more about how AI is changing printing? Read: How is AI Transforming Printers Today?
IT & Digital Services Continue Expanding
Printer manufacturers are increasing their investment in IT services, workflow software, cloud infrastructure, and digital transformation solutions.
Businesses now expect their printers to integrate seamlessly into popular technology ecosystems.
Modern print environments today often include features like cloud document storage, workflow automation software, security monitoring, and remote fleet management.
This trend is largely being driven by hybrid work and digital transformation initiatives. Businesses want fewer disconnected systems and more centralized visibility across their workflows.
For example:
- Xerox Capture & Content Services help businesses digitize and automate document workflows.
- Xerox DocuShare supports cloud-based document management and collaboration.
- Cloud printing platforms now allow employees to securely print from remote locations without needing traditional print servers.
More Offices Are Choosing Inkjet Printers
Laser printers have dominated office environments for years. And while laser is still the top choice in many workplaces, 2026 continues a larger shift toward business inkjet technology.
Inkjet technology accounted for 48.10% of the printer market in 2025, reflecting growing adoption across office, packaging, and production environments.
One major reason is cost efficiency.
Modern inkjet systems have become significantly faster, more reliable, and more economical than many businesses expect. In particular, ink-tank and EcoTank-style systems are becoming popular among small businesses and home offices looking to reduce their total cost of ownership.
Business inkjet systems are gaining popularity in environments that traditionally used laser technology, as companies consider factors like cost per page and energy use.
For example:
- Epson EcoTank printers continue growing in popularity among cost-conscious businesses.
- Epson PrecisionCore technology improves print speeds and efficiency.
- HP PageWide technology supports high-volume business printing with lower energy usage.
- Xerox inkjet production systems continue making production-level inkjet more accessible.
Want help deciding between inkjet and laser technology? Read: Inkjet vs. Laser: Which Printer Is Right for Your Business?
Thermal Label Printing Continues Rising with E-Commerce
The growth of E-commerce continues to shape the printer industry in 2026, particularly in thermal label printing.
As shipping volumes rise, businesses are printing more:
- Shipping labels
- Barcode labels
- Inventory labels
- Return labels
- Product identification labels
Thermal printing technology is projected to have some of the fastest growth in the industry through 2031, largely due to rising e-commerce parcel volumes and logistics demand.
Thermal printers are especially popular in:
- Warehouses
- Fulfillment centers
- Retail environments
- Healthcare environments
- Logistics operations
One reason thermal printers are growing so quickly is speed and reliability. Thermal label printers can produce high volumes of durable labels quickly without requiring ink or toner cartridges.
As fulfillment expectations continue to rise, thermal label printing is becoming a critical part of modern logistics infrastructure.
Managed Print Services Become More Cloud-Driven
Managed Print Services (MPS) continue growing in 2026, but businesses are seeking more than just toner replenishment and break-fix service.
Businesses increasingly want:
- Centralized visibility
- Remote monitoring
- Usage analytics
- Cloud dashboards
- Predictive supply management
- Hybrid work support
This is one reason cloud-based MPS platforms are becoming more common. Cloud print management platforms allow organizations to monitor printer fleets remotely, manage users across locations, and reduce reliance on on-site print servers.
It also helps that businesses are becoming more comfortable with subscription-style service models.
According to recent market research, MPS contracts have grown in popularity among medium and large enterprises.
This trend aligns closely with hybrid work setups where businesses need centralized control over distributed printer fleets.
Considering MPS for your business? Read: Is Managed Print Services Right for Your Business?
Bio-Toner & High-Yield Consumables Gain Traction
Consumables are a hot topic in the printer industry, especially as businesses look for ways to lower operational costs and reduce waste.
With rising material costs, tariffs, and supply chain pressures, toner and ink prices have taken a toll across the industry.
As a result, manufacturers are increasingly investing in:
- Bio-based toner development
- High-yield toner systems
- Toner bottle systems
- Lower-waste consumables
- Longer replacement cycles
High-yield toner bottles and refill-style systems are becoming popular in high-volume environments because they help reduce cartridge waste and long-term consumable costs.
A cheaper cartridge may not actually save money if it ends up producing lower yields and requiring more replacements.
That is why many businesses are reaching for consumables that offer better long-term operational efficiency rather than relying on upfront pricing alone.
Sustainability Efforts Shift Toward Carbon Reduction
Sustainability is still a major trend in the printer industry, but the focus in 2026 is more on carbon reduction and operational efficiency rather than simply “going green.”
Businesses are now evaluating how printing impacts:
- Energy consumption
- Shipping emissions
- Consumable waste
- Device longevity
- Paper usage
- Overall operational efficiency
This shift is influencing both purchasing decisions and manufacturer design strategies.
For example:
- HP TerraJet toner systems are designed to reduce energy consumption.
- UV-curable inkjet systems can reduce VOC emissions compared to traditional analog systems.
EcoTank-style refill systems help reduce single-use cartridge waste.
Businesses are also focusing on fleet optimization to cut waste and improve efficiency.
This is one reason sustainability and MPS are becoming more closely connected. Businesses want better visibility into how their print environments impact both costs and carbon output.
Conversations surrounding sustainability in printing are focusing more on measurable operational improvements.
Related Reading: 5 Steps to Sustainable Printing
FAQ
What are the biggest printer industry trends in 2026?
The biggest printer industry trends in 2026 include AI-powered workflows, cloud print management, thermal label printing growth, Managed Print Services, business inkjet adoption, and sustainability initiatives focused on efficiency and carbon reduction.
Are inkjet printers replacing laser printers?
Inkjet printers are becoming more popular in offices because modern business inkjet systems offer lower energy usage and competitive operating costs. However, laser printers still remain important for many high-volume business environments.
Why are thermal label printers growing in popularity?
Thermal label printers are growing because e-commerce and logistics businesses need fast, reliable printing for shipping labels, barcodes, and inventory tracking.
What is cloud print management?
Cloud print management allows businesses to manage printers, users, and print workflows through cloud-based software instead of relying on on-site print servers.
Which Printer Trends Actually Matter for Your Business?
The printer industry is clearly evolving, but not every trend will matter equally for every organization.
Some businesses will lean towards cloud print management and workflow automation. Others may see more value in thermal label printing, production inkjet, or MPS.
It’s important to understand which technologies actually improve efficiency for your environment instead of simply chasing trends because they sound innovative.
At Strategic Technology Partners of Texas, we help businesses evaluate print technology based on real operational needs and not hype.
If you want to continue learning about modern print strategy, cloud print management, and Managed Print Services, check out our Learning Center for more educational blogs. If you'd rather talk through your print environment directly, you can also contact our team to discuss which solutions fit your business best.
