Flexographic printing in Colombia is steadily gaining momentum, largely driven by the country’s vibrant packaging industry, which spans food and beverage, personal care, pharmaceuticals, and industrial sectors. Colombia's strategic location as a logistics hub for the Andean region, along with its Free Trade Agreements with countries in North America, Europe, and Latin America, fuels demand for high-quality, cost-effective packaging solutions that comply with international standards. Flexographic printing is increasingly being adopted for its ability to produce large volumes quickly and affordably, particularly on flexible packaging materials like plastic films and foils. This technique’s compatibility with environmentally friendly water-based and UV inks aligns with Colombia’s push toward sustainable practices, as evidenced by policy support from the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development. Additionally, urbanization and a growing middle-class population have increased consumption of packaged goods, which indirectly supports the adoption of flexographic printing in sectors that prioritize shelf-ready, visually appealing products. Major Colombian cities like Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali are witnessing greater investments in printing infrastructure, with mid-sized converters and packaging firms upgrading to more efficient flexographic systems to meet fast-evolving consumer and exporter needs.

Moreover, the rapid rise in domestic product branding and private-label competition is encouraging producers to distinguish themselves through high-quality packaging, thereby pushing converters to invest in reliable, high-output printing solutions like flexography.According to the research report "Colombia Flexographic Printing Market Research Report, 2030," published by Actual Market Research, the Colombia Flexographic Printing market was valued at more than USD 60 Million in 2024 The Colombian flexographic printing market is projected to grow at a healthy pace due to several interrelated domestic factors. Increasing retail penetration, particularly through organized retail channels and supermarket chains such as Grupo Éxito, has amplified the importance of appealing packaging in brand differentiation. With e-commerce gaining traction across Colombia, there is a heightened emphasis on durable and aesthetically pleasing packaging for shipping and shelf display, stimulating demand for advanced printing techniques. Additionally, Colombia’s post-pandemic economic recovery and its gradual industrial diversification are reinforcing the need for standardized and cost-efficient packaging, especially among SMEs scaling their production. The availability of flexographic training programs through SENA (Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje) ensures that local labor remains skilled in operating modern printing machinery, further bolstering the sector. Moreover, government incentives for local manufacturing under the "Compra Colombiano" initiative are encouraging domestic production of printed packaging materials, reducing reliance on imports and providing a fertile ground for flexographic printing to flourish.

As print service providers seek to increase throughput and reduce downtime, there is a growing transition from legacy systems to automated flexographic presses with inline finishing capabilities. Demand is also spurred by improvements in print quality, color consistency, and the adoption of digital workflows that enhance design flexibility and speed-to-market for brands aiming to keep up with rapid retail cycles.By Offering, the Colombian market is shaped by demand for both flexographic printing machines and flexographic printing inks. Domestic manufacturers and regional distributors are importing advanced flexographic machines, particularly from European and East Asian suppliers, to cater to rising local demand. These machines are increasingly preferred by Colombia's mid-sized converters for their quick setup times and compatibility with diverse substrates like flexible plastics, labels, and cardboard. Demand is particularly strong for multi-color presses that allow converters to meet branding requirements of international clients. Flexographic inks, both imported and locally manufactured, are a growing segment in their own right.

Colombian companies such as Sun Chemical Andina and Flint Group have maintained strong market presence by offering customized ink formulations that meet national packaging regulations and environmental norms. Local converters are showing a marked preference for inks that ensure vibrant prints while offering resistance to smudging and fading, essential for Colombia’s humid climate and long-distance logistics. Sustainability is influencing purchase decisions, prompting a shift from traditional solvent-based formulations toward water-based and UV-curable options that align with international environmental certifications. Furthermore, demand for specialty inks such as metallic and fluorescent formulations used in promotional packaging and brand launches is expanding within urban centers, offering additional growth avenues for ink suppliers.Water-based inks are gaining significant traction in Colombia, particularly as packaging firms adapt to regional environmental regulations and buyer preferences, especially in food and personal care packaging. These inks are considered safer and more eco-friendly, aligning well with Colombia's growing focus on green industrial practices. Water-based inks are also increasingly favored by exporters looking to align their packaging practices with European Union and North American import requirements.

Solvent-based inks, while still prevalent in certain industrial and high-speed applications, are witnessing a gradual decline due to increasing scrutiny over volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. These inks are being phased out in many applications as companies modernize their processes and prioritize worker and environmental safety. Energy-curable inks, including UV-curable and electron beam-curable formulations, are slowly entering the Colombian market as larger converters invest in higher-end machinery and seek to reduce drying time while improving resistance to abrasion and moisture. Bogotá and Medellín are emerging as key consumption hubs for such advanced ink technologies, given the concentration of modern packaging facilities and consumer goods manufacturing in these cities. Educational campaigns and training workshops supported by local ink manufacturers are also helping to increase acceptance and usage of non-traditional ink types in Colombia’s flexographic ecosystem. By Method, the Central Impression (CI) press remains the most commonly used method across Colombian flexographic printing setups due to its ability to maintain precise color registration, especially important for food, beverage, and cosmetic packaging.

These presses are particularly suitable for high-volume jobs involving plastic films and flexible substrates, which dominate the Colombian packaging sector. CI presses are favored by companies involved in export packaging due to their consistency and capacity to meet tight international quality specifications. Inline type presses are gradually making their way into label and smaller format printing businesses, offering flexibility for short-run, high-speed jobs, particularly in the personal care and pharma segments. These presses are valued for their modularity, allowing converters to add new capabilities such as die-cutting and laminating inline. Stack type presses also retain relevance among older installations and budget-conscious small converters in regions such as Valle del Cauca and Antioquia, where production scale and budget constraints influence technology adoption. However, nationwide, there's an evident move towards upgrading to CI systems, particularly among firms that are part of export-focused supply chains.

Government-backed financing options through programs like Bancoldex are enabling converters to invest in newer machinery, especially when these upgrades contribute to better efficiency and compliance with international packaging standards. Additionally, the entry of new multinational brands in Colombia’s consumer goods sector is pushing local converters to modernize in order to meet contractual quality and delivery standards.By Web Type, narrow web flexographic printing is predominant in Colombia’s label printing sector, especially for applications in beverages, cosmetics, and small-scale food products. This web type is well-suited for the country’s highly fragmented consumer goods market, where SKU proliferation necessitates flexible, small-batch print runs. Narrow web presses are also preferred for their agility in handling frequent design changes, making them ideal for promotional campaigns and private label packaging. Medium web presses are widely used among regional packaging firms, especially those producing pouches, wrappers, and mid-sized retail packaging for local consumption. These presses strike a balance between cost-efficiency and capacity, allowing firms to serve a broad range of industries.

Wide web presses, though less common, are gaining relevance among larger packaging operations in Bogotá and coastal export hubs like Barranquilla, where they support high-volume flexible packaging production for international markets. Investments in wide web CI presses are rising among firms focused on food exports and agro-industrial goods, where consistency and volume are crucial. Moreover, the operational dynamics of the Colombian supply chain, where timely delivery is a competitive edge, are encouraging firms to adopt presses that match their volume requirements and product mix. Each web type finds specific niches based on the converter's client base, production targets, and the complexity of print jobs, highlighting the diversified nature of flexographic printing in Colombia. .