Barcode Printers Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis by Offering (Dot Matrix, Inkjet, Laser, Others), Type (Desktop, Mobile, Industrial), Distribution Channel, End-use Industry (Manufacturing, Retail, Others) and Geography - Global Forecast to 2031

The Barcode Printers Market was valued at $2.1 billion in 2023. This market is projected to reach $3.7 billion by 2031 from an estimated $2.2 billion in 2024, at a CAGR of 7.6% during the forecast period of 2024-2031.

Barcode Printers Market Size & Forecast

Key factors driving the growth of this market include government efforts to encourage the use of biometric technologies and the growing adoption of automatic data capture and identification technologies. Furthermore, the rising demand for industrial barcode printers and continuous advancements in barcode printing technology are expected to offer growth opportunities for market participants.

Key Findings in the Barcode Printers Market

• By Offering: The Laser Printers Segment is Expected to Dominate the Barcode Printers Market in 2024
• By Type: The Desktop Printers Segment is Expected to Dominate the Barcode Printers Market in 2024
• By Distribution Channel: The Online Segment is Expected to Dominate the Barcode Printers Market in 2024
• By End-use Industry: The Retail & E-commerce Segment is Expected to Dominate the Barcode Printers Market in 2024
• By Geography: Asia-Pacific Dominates the Barcode Printers Market in 2024

Barcode Printers Market Trends

Growing Demand for Mobile Barcode Printers

A mobile barcode printer is a compact and portable printing device designed for on-the-go use, enabling users to print documents, labels, or barcodes directly from smartphones, tablets, or laptops. These printers are lightweight and designed for convenience, making it easy to print receipts and invoices anywhere. By facilitating quick transactions and printing, mobile barcode printers enhance business productivity. Additionally, printing labels on a mobile device improves efficiency in inventory management and reduces the risk of errors. The growing demand for mobile barcode printers is driven by the increasing need for flexibility and efficiency across various operational environments.

Additionally, the increasing focus of market players on launching mobile barcode printers is expected to boost their adoption. For instance, in June 2022, TSC Printronix Auto ID (Taiwan) launched the Alpha-30R mobile barcode printer. This wide printer is available in two models with varying print speeds: the basic model offers up to 5 inches per second (IPS), while the premium model reaches up to 6 IPS, enhancing productivity for field workers. The Alpha-30R features an easy-to-read LCD and is lightweight, making it comfortable to carry allowing employees to print receipts or labels on demand.

Barcode Printers Market Opportunities

Rising Demand for Industrial Barcode Printers

Industrial barcode printers are specialized devices designed for use in demanding industrial environments. These printers are typically larger in size and constructed with a robust metal body, ensuring durability and resistance to temperature and humidity fluctuations. This makes them suitable for challenging conditions found in factories and warehouses.

The demand for industrial barcode printers is increasing, driven by the growth of the e-commerce sector and the need for efficient supply chain management. As online shopping continues to rise, logistics and warehousing operations increasingly require reliable labeling solutions for accurate product tracking and inventory optimization. Industrial barcode printers are built to withstand harsh conditions, providing the durability and reliability essential for manufacturing and warehouse settings.

As businesses aim to enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness, industrial barcode printers are becoming vital tools for streamlining operations and boosting productivity. Furthermore, the increasing focus of market players on launching industrial barcode printers that integrate seamlessly into various systems and production lines while delivering consistent performance with minimal downtime is expected to drive the market’s growth. For instance, in May 2024, HPRT (China) launched the HPRT Grand, a high-resolution industrial barcode printer designed for high-volume label printing across diverse industries, including manufacturing, logistics, and warehousing.

Barcode Printers Market Driver

Growing Adoption of Automatic Data Capture and Identification Technologies

The increasing adoption of efficient data capture and identification solutions is transforming organizational operations in today’s data-driven environment. As businesses seek greater agility and responsiveness, the ability to rapidly gather and analyze data has become crucial. This trend is driven by the rise of e-commerce and increasing industrial automation, which require precise, real-time insights for informed decision-making. Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) technology enables companies to efficiently track, record, communicate, and store data with minimal or no input needed from the user tasked with capturing or retrieving the information.

Barcode printers are essential components of AIDC systems, significantly enhancing efficiency and accuracy across various industries. These printers are widely utilized in retail, warehousing, manufacturing, and logistics to produce labels for products, inventory, and shipping. Barcode printers operate quickly and accurately, facilitating faster processes and improved tracking of items. This capability saves time during inquiries and updates, as users can easily track their assets. Therefore, the high adoption of automatic data capture and identification technologies is expected to drive the growth of the barcode printers market.

Barcode Printers Market Analysis: Top Market Opportunity

By Offering: In 2024, the Laser Printers Segment is Expected to Dominate the Barcode Printers Market

Based on offering, the global barcode printers market is segmented into dot matrix printers, inkjet printers, thermal printers, laser printers, and consumables. In 2024, the laser printers segment is estimated to account for the largest share of the global barcode printers market. Laser printers are known for their high-speed printing capabilities and produce clean, professional-quality outputs, particularly for text-based materials. Their efficiency and low operating costs make them suitable for generating documents, tickets, and reports. The large market share of this segment is attributed to laser printers' ability to deliver sharp, high-resolution prints, ensuring that barcodes and text are clear and easily scannable. Additionally, their high printing speed and the durability of the printed materials contribute to their increased adoption.

However, the inkjet printers segment is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period of 2024 to 2031. Inkjet printers are commonly used in high-production environments where barcodes must be printed and applied quickly. Their color printing capabilities make them particularly suitable for safety messages, such as arc flash warnings and hazardous material labeling. They can also be employed for facility markings, including pipe marking, directional signs, and Lean/5S processes. Key factors driving the growth of this segment include advancements in inkjet technology, the ability to produce high-resolution prints with vibrant and clear barcodes, and lower initial costs compared to laser printers.

Geographical Analysis

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Barcode Printers Market in 2024

In 2024, Asia-Pacific is estimated to account for the largest share of over 45% of the global barcode printers market. Asia-Pacific’s significant market share is primarily attributed to the growing demand for automation across various industries in the region, the advent of Industry 4.0, and the growth of the retail and e-commerce sectors.

Moreover, the market in Asia-Pacific is projected to register the highest CAGR of 9.4% during the forecast period. The growth of this regional market is driven by increased government initiatives and investments in industrial automation, rapid economic growth, and the rising need to optimize business processes, reduce costs, and allocate resources more effectively.

Barcode Printers Market: Key Companies

The report includes a competitive landscape based on an extensive assessment of the key growth strategies adopted by leading market participants over the past three years. The key players profiled in the global barcode printers market report are Avery Dennison Corporation (U.S.), Canon Inc. (Japan), Dascom (Hong Kong), Honeywell International Inc. (U.S.), Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. (Japan), SATO Holdings Corporation (Japan), Zebra Technologies Corp. (U.S.), Toshiba Tec Corporation (Japan), Postek Electronics Co., Ltd. (China), Brother Industries, Ltd. (Japan), Epson (Japan), DYMO, Inc. (U.S.), Primera Technology (U.S.), TSC Auto ID Technology Co., Ltd. (Taiwan) and MUNBYN (U.S.).

Barcode Printers Industry Overview: Latest Developments from Key Industry Players

• In June 2024, BIXOLON Europe GmbH (Germany), a subsidiary of BIXOLON (South Korea), partnered with G Rigging & Lighting Ltd. (U.K.) The collaboration integrated BIXOLON’s barcode labeling technology into G Rigging & Lighting’s inventory management system, providing an improved stock identification and delivery system for the business.
• In January 2023, Citizen Systems America Corporation (U.S.), a leading manufacturer of world-class printing technology, announced the newest addition to its desktop barcode printer lineup with the release of the new CL-H300SV at NRF 2023 in New York City.
• In January 2021, TSC Auto ID Technology Co., Ltd. (Taiwan) launched Alpha-30L and Alpha-40L high-performance mobile printers, offering advanced productivity and management features.

Barcode Printers Market Research Summary

Key questions answered in the barcode printers market report: