The European printing industry is composed of more than 100,000 companies, mostly SMEs, equally distributed across the continent, representing over 600,000 direct jobs (Eurostat, 2022).

• The European print sector is largely made up of long-established, family-owned companies. It is an industry rooted in local communities, with 95% of print businesses employing fewer than 20 people (Eurostat, 2022). This structure creates a resilient network of small enterprises that are flexible, service-oriented, and strongly connected to regional economies.
• Printing companies are present in every EU country, with the sector evenly distributed across the continent rather than concentrated in clusters, ensuring local access to print services everywhere.
• Despite its predominantly small-scale structure, the print sector performs strongly in international trade. Europe exports more printed products than it imports, maintaining a positive trade balance year after year (Eurostat, 2022). Print remains accessible to businesses of all sizes and continues to operate as a truly local yet globally competitive medium.
• In terms of employment and turnover, the printing industry mirrors the scale of the European textile sector. It is a vital part of the EU economy and closely linked to several other strategic industries. Its core value chain spans the forestry sector (excluding furniture), paper manufacturing, paper converting, and publishing (books, magazines, newspapers). Across these areas, 550,000 companies generate 4.65 million jobs and €775 billion in turnover (Eurostat, 2021).
Print also drives activity beyond its traditional value chain. It supports the production of specialised printing machinery, contributes to the creative economy through graphic design, and underpins the manufacture of inks, coatings, and consumables. From industrial manufacturing to design and materials innovation, print’s economic footprint extends across multiple interconnected sectors, demonstrating its enduring importance in Europe’s economy.