Global Industry Voices on 2025 Trends and What Lies Ahead in 2026

As we step into 2026, it’s worth pausing to reflect on the two key questions: what defined industry development in 2025, and which shifts are likely to shape the year ahead?

Across regions, 2025 revealed a common theme: while print volumes continued to soften, structural change accelerated—from OEM consolidation, software-driven differentiation, compliance, sustainability, and service-led models. Against this backdrop, one conclusion is becoming increasingly clear: what matters in 2026 is not recovery, but adaptation.

To capture a range of global industry perspectives, we invited professionals from different regions to share their insights:

1.) What key trends or changes in the office equipment & printing supplies industry stood out to you in 2025?

Koichi Yoshizuka (pictured left), Japan: From an OEM and platform perspective, Koichi highlights how consolidation and bloc formation reshaped competitive dynamics in 2025.

In 2025, the most striking shift was the acceleration of OEM “bloc formation”—a move toward consolidation and strategic cooperation as global demand and page volumes continue to soften. In my view, this is not simply about scale; it reflects a deeper change in where competition happens.

First, reduced paper usage—driven by hybrid work—means fewer pages and fewer devices in the installed base, putting pressure on high-margin supplies. Industry statistics such as JBMIA’s copier/MFP shipment data help illustrate this downshift in the broader cycle.

Second, as hardware growth slows, OEM differentiation shifts from mechanics toward software, firmware, security, and services. That dynamic naturally encourages platform commonization on the “core,” while competing on what sits above it.

In practical terms, the evolving landscape can already be mapped into three distinctive patterns:
• Engine and manufacturing integration (e.g., ETRIA: Ricoh + Toshiba Tec + OKI)
• Procurement integration (e.g., FUJIFILM BI + Konica Minolta joint sourcing)
• A stand-alone technology path (e.g., Canon’s independent platform strategy)

For the aftermarket, bloc formation also changes the competitive structure. As more models share common platforms, the addressable market per “compatible development” becomes larger. That means speed matters even more: whoever develops support for the common model first can capture a disproportionate share of demand, and this first-mover dynamic becomes increasingly entrenched.

As a result, speed, platform coverage, and early compatibility development will become decisive competitive factors for the aftermarket.

Dhruv Mahajan (pictured left), India: From a fast-growing and increasingly regulated market, Dhruv outlines how AI, sustainability, and service models gained traction in 2025.

Several important shifts stood out in 2025 that are reshaping the office equipment and printing ecosystem:

AI- and cloud-enabled technologies are no longer optional. Multifunction devices (MFDs), printers, and copiers are increasingly being integrated into intelligent workflows that enhance document management, automation, analytics, and security. Organizations are prioritizing solutions that improve productivity while ensuring data protection and compliance.

Environmental concerns, cost pressures, and regulatory expectations are accelerating the adoption of refilled and recycled consumables. Circular economy practices are becoming mainstream rather than niche, with customers actively seeking sustainable printing solutions.

As organizations bring employees back to offices, concerns around security, governance, and cost visibility are pushing a return to more centralized printing environments. This shift supports better security, cost control, governance, and the integration of digital transformation initiatives across departments.

Managed Print Services (MPS) and service-led models are seeing increased demand. Customers prefer operational expenditure (Opex) models that allow them to focus capital investments on core business areas, while service providers manage infrastructure, optimization, and compliance.

Graham Galliford (pictured left), USA: From a mature but resilient North American market, Graham focuses on tariffs, compliance, and buyer behavior.

The North American office and home printer supplies market in 2025 demonstrated notable resilience, particularly when viewed through the perspective of global manufacturing and distribution. While overall print volumes remain structurally mature, demand has stabilized across core use cases, including home offices, small businesses, education, and administrative functions in healthcare and government.

Purchasing behavior throughout 2025 became increasingly pragmatic. Buyers placed greater emphasis on total cost of ownership, yield consistency, and operational reliability, rather than brand positioning alone. This environment continued to support demand for compatible and remanufactured consumables, provided that quality standards and compatibility expectations were met.

A key structural factor shaping the market remains the ongoing impact of U.S. Section 301 tariffs on China-origin printing supplies. Although these tariffs are no longer new, they continue to influence pricing strategies, sourcing decisions, and commercial negotiations across the supply chain. Tariffs have become an embedded cost component in many ink and toner products, reinforcing the importance of accurate landed-cost calculations and disciplined margin management for exporters, importers, and distributors alike. Taken together, tariffs are no longer a temporary disruption, but a structural condition of the North American market.

As a result, North American buyers are placing increased scrutiny on customs compliance and documentation accuracy, including correct HS classification, declared country of origin, valuation methodology, and supporting technical documentation such as SDS and product specifications. For exporters, transparent communication and compliance readiness are now essential elements of commercial credibility.

In response to tariff pressure, some suppliers have explored supply chain diversification, including partial manufacturing, assembly, or packaging outside China. However, China remains the dominant production base for printer consumables due to scale, technical capability, and cost efficiency. In this context, competitive advantage increasingly comes from quality assurance systems, production consistency, and regulatory alignment, rather than country-of-origin positioning alone.

Sustainability expectations further reinforced this shift in 2025. Environmental responsibility—such as cartridge reuse, remanufacturing programs, reduced plastic content, and compliant packaging—has moved from a marketing consideration to a procurement requirement. Distributors increasingly expect sustainability claims to be verifiable, documented, and aligned with North American regulatory and procurement standards.

2.) What developments or opportunities do you foresee in 2026?

Koichi Yoshizuka, Japan: Printing beyond paper will offer new opportunities. Customization-related printing segments will flourish.

In mature markets, including Japan, printing on paper is still in decline. However, I expect growth to continue in “printing beyond paper,” especially personalization applications: apparel decoration (heat transfer and digital textile printing), and printing on plastics/acrylic and other substrates for short runs and customized products.

This is a meaningful opportunity for the supply ecosystem because customization economics favor agile supply chains. Personalization depends on fast turnaround, small batches, and consistent output quality—areas where specialized materials, components, and compatibility know-how can create value.

External market outlooks also indicate continued momentum in customization-related printing segments, such as heat transfer films and digital textile printing, driven by demand for personalized apparel and product branding.

Dhruv Mahajan, India: Local manufacturing and online marketing platforms in India will grow dramatically. IT distributor-led companies will dominate the printer consumables market.

In India, local manufacturing of printing consumables is expected to accelerate significantly. Proposed Anti-Dumping Duties (ADD), potentially as high as 50% over prevailing FOB prices for entry-level cartridges made in China, will act as a strong catalyst for “Make in India” initiatives and faster localization.

Online marketing platforms and India’s Government e-Marketplace (GeM) will continue to gain importance, improving transparency, reach, and efficiency in procurement—especially for public sector and enterprise buyers.

IT distributor-led companies are expected to dominate the printer consumables market, particularly in the aftermarket segment. With deep penetration into Tier 3 towns, small cities, and rural markets—often through multi-category retail shops—these players could command up to 75% market share.

Graham Galliford, USA:  Servicing the existing installed base remains key

Looking into 2026, opportunities will continue to center on servicing the existing installed base of printers, many of which are older models with extended service lives. Demand remains strong for consumables that perform reliably in these devices, particularly where OEM support is limited or selective.

In this environment, reliability, compatibility, and long-term service support will define value more than new hardware introductions.

3.) Message to the Global Audience as We Move into 2026

The “paper page” may shrink, but print as a tool for personalization continues to expand the addressable opportunity—if companies invest in the right materials, workflows, and compliance readiness.

India remains open for growth and innovation in MPS. And its Software, AI, and Digital Services Development will increasingly power workflows, automation, and analytics across industries.

For exporters, manufacturers, and distributors, success in 2026 will depend less on volume growth and more on supply chain stability, customs compliance, sustainability alignment, and long-term partnership development.

*This article, “Global Industry Voices on 2025 Trends and What Lies Ahead in 2026,” brings together perspectives from our contributors Koichi Yoshizuka (Japan), Dhruv Mahajan (India), and Graham Galliford (USA). 

What are your thoughts on the trends shaping 2026? Share your views in the comments below.

Related:

• 2025 in Review: Key Industry Trends and What to Watch in 2026
• Global Industry Voices: 2025 Review & 2026 Message
• Top 10 Industry Signals That Shaped 2025

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