What will 2026 look like?

Industrial inkjet technology has transformed manufacturing and printing processes over the past decade – and in 2025 has taken even more strides to help manufacturing businesses and qa host of other industries to offer more – more cost effectively, more sustainably, and much more rapidly. As we approach 2026, the industry stands on the edge of significant changes that promise to keep on reshaping how businesses use inkjet solutions.

One major focus for industrial inkjet development is speed combined with precision. Manufacturers want machines that can print quickly without sacrificing detail or quality. This means inkjet manufacturers need to provide higher resolution printhead cap capable of producing finer dots for sharper images and text, increased print speeds through improved nozzle technology and faster ink drying methods, and better control systems that adjust ink flow dynamically to maintain accuracy at high speeds.

Industrial inkjet is moving beyond traditional colour printing and for 2026 we wil see the introduction of more functional inks that add new properties to surfaces will become more common. These will include solutions such as new conductive inks for printed electronics and flexible circuits, increasing development of UV curable inks that harden instantly under ultraviolet light for durable coatings, and antimicrobial inks used in industries such as healthcare and food packaging to reduce contamination risks.

By 2026, these inks will be more affordable and easier to integrate into existing production lines. For instance, printed sensors embedded in packaging could monitor freshness or temperature, providing real time data to consumers and retailers.

Environmental concerns are driving innovation in inkjet technology. The industry aims to reduce waste, energy use, and harmful chemicals. Here the availability or more water based and bio based inks that lower volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions, new ink recycling systems that capture and reuse unused ink during printing, and energy efficient curing methods that cut power consumption. As well as this, the actual materials that are used to build the machines themselves will veer away from contaminating plastics to more recycled options.

The rise of smart factories means industrial inkjet machines will become more connected and automated, and will play an increasing role in many industries, as it is a perfect fit for Industry 4.0. Already available expect things like real time monitoring of print quality and ink usage through sensors and IoT devices, predictive maintenance that alerts operators before failures occur, reducing downtime, and seamless integration with manufacturing execution systems (MES) for better workflow coordination, to grow in popularity 2026.

This connectivity will allow businesses to optimise production schedules and reduce waste.

Inkjet technology supports flexible, short run printing that suits customised products. This trend will grow as consumers demand personalised goods. IN 2026, there will be an increasing use of variable data printing that changes images or text on each item without slowing production, multi-layer printing that combines colours and textures in a single pass, and compact, modular printers that can be installed directly on production lines for just in time manufacturing.

These capabilities will benefit industries like fashion, packaging, and automotive parts, where unique designs and rapid turnaround are essential.

Of course, 2026 will bring its own challenges. Ink formulation complexity, for instance, will need to see the development of inks that increasingly meet performance, safety, and environmental standards remains difficult. Printheads and printers will need to develop to offer ever more clever options. And, cost considerations will need to be kept in check – especially in a difficult business environment.

Industrial inkjet technology will continue to evolve rapidly, driven by demands for speed, quality, sustainability, and flexibility. In 2026, businesses that adopt the latest inkjet solutions will gain competitive advantages through improved efficiency and new product possibilities.

At IndPrint, our main wish for 2026 is that the innovation we have seen in past years continues, and that all businesses have a very successful new year.