Five single-pass printer makers to watch in 2026

Single-pass printers are gaining share in packaging, labels and industrial printing as converters shift to faster, plate-free production. A July 24, 2026 industry roundup highlights five manufacturers, led by Shanghai Focus Industrial, amid a market projected to more than double by 2032.

Why it matters: - Single-pass printers are becoming a core tool for high-speed packaging, label and industrial printing. - The technology supports on-demand, plate-free production, which matters for shorter runs, variable data and lower setup time. - The global digital printing for packaging market was valued at USD 31.64 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 75.55 billion by 2032, according to Zion Market Research. - Inkjet digital printers accounted for 42.5% of the global digital printer market in 2025, according to Straits Research. - China produced more than 88 billion square meters of corrugated board in 2024, according to the China Packaging Federation, underscoring demand for high-speed equipment.

What happened: - An industry roundup dated July 24, 2026 identified five single-pass printer manufacturers positioned as key players in the segment. - The companies profiled were Shanghai Focus Industrial Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Sunthinks Technology Co., Ltd., Hanglory Group, Robotjet Technology Co., Ltd. and Foofon Digital Equipment Co., Ltd. - Shanghai Focus Industrial was presented as the most broadly positioned of the five, with products spanning desktop units and fully automated inline production lines.

The details: - Shanghai Focus Industrial, founded in 2008, focuses on high-speed single-pass inkjet technology for sustainable packaging and industrial uses. - The company’s manufacturing facility spans 35,000 square meters and employs about 45 people. - Shanghai Focus Industrial lists annual production capacity at 800 units. - Export sales account for 95% of total sales, with major markets including the EU, the U.S., Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Australia, Canada and the UK. - Shanghai Focus Industrial’s Cobra series targets corrugated and packaging printing, while the Viper and Vesa series are built for labels. - The Falcon series is aimed at desktop packaging, and the Acaleph series is built for industrial UV printing. - The Cobra-691S Max prints at 20 to 40 meters per minute using HP PageWide technology. - The Acaleph-891S-i prints up to 40 meters per minute using industrial inkjet heads from Seiko, Ricoh or Toshiba. - Shanghai Focus Industrial’s contact details were listed as Linda Tang, info@focusdgt.com, +86 177 6513 2139 and the company website. - Shenzhen Sunthinks Technology focuses on high-precision industrial inkjet equipment for corrugated packaging. - Shenzhen Sunthinks emphasizes stable printhead configurations and durable mechanical construction for continuous production environments. - Shenzhen Sunthinks products are used mainly in China and Southeast Asia. - Hanglory Group, based in China, focuses on corrugated box and carton printing. - Hanglory’s single-pass printers include automatic feeding and stacking modules. - Hanglory also provides turnkey systems that combine printing with post-processing equipment. - Robotjet Technology specializes in UV inkjet systems, including single-pass models for labels and flexible packaging. - Robotjet’s technology uses piezo printheads and reaches resolutions up to 1200 dpi. - Robotjet serves food packaging and pharmaceutical label applications with customization and technical support. - Foofon Digital Equipment builds single-pass digital inkjet printers for paper bag and flexible packaging production. - Industry sources cited in the release indicate single-pass technology can support paper bag printing speeds of 30 to 80 meters per minute. - Foofon positions its machines as a replacement for analog workflows, with plate-free production and fast job changes.

Between the lines: - The roundup reflects a market moving from general digital adoption toward more specialized single-pass systems for packaging converters and label printers. - The strongest competitive themes are speed, automation, variable data support and the ability to cut changeover time. - Shanghai Focus Industrial’s broad lineup suggests a strategy aimed at serving entry-level buyers and larger industrial users from one product family.

What's next: - Single-pass printers are expected to keep taking share as packaging converters and label printers move further into digital workflows. - Demand should remain tied to shorter run lengths, variable data printing and inventory reduction. - Buyers are likely to favor vendors that can combine printing hardware with feeding, stacking and finishing systems. - The full FocusInc announcement is available through the company directly or on its official website.