Color printing ink (excluding black) market in Czechia

Earlier Report Observations

The Czech market for color printing ink saw significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2020. Market volume expanded from 11 228 t in 2018 to 13 884 t in 2019, before contracting to 12 311 t in 2020. This decline coincided with the EU REACH regulation adding isopropanol, a solvent previously used in almost all color inks, to the list of hazardous substances, forcing manufacturers to reformulate their products and likely disrupting supply.

From 2021 onward, import volumes became the dominant indicator of market activity. Imports recovered to over 14 000 t in 2021 but then gradually declined, stabilizing around 13 600 t by 2025. This period was shaped by further regulatory pressure, notably new EU restrictions on hazardous chemicals in tattoo inks—including azodyes and certain pigments—that came into force in January 2022, creating shortages and slowing the introduction of new ink formulations. Concurrently, market trends such as the growing demand for special-effect inks and a stronger emphasis on ecological production and recycling influenced both supply and consumer preferences in the printing sector.

Exports of color printing ink from Czechia showed a modest upward trend, rising from around 700 t in the earlier years to approximately 785 t by 2025. The overall market structure remained heavily import-dependent, with no major domestic production shifts reported in the latter part of the period.

Production color printing ink in Czechia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

In 2019, Czechia produced 469.6 tonnes of color printing ink (excluding black), marking the lowest output in recent years with a 6.6% decline. Production then rebounded in 2020, reaching 512.6 tonnes, which represents a moderate 9.2% increase compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in Czechia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports color printing ink from Czechia

Exports in kind, t

Czechia's exports of color printing ink (excluding black) experienced a two-year decline, hitting a low of 567 tonnes in 2020 with a significant 15.9% drop. However, exports recovered in 2021, rising to 714 tonnes, a 25.8% increase year-over-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 3.8%, averaging a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Czechia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Czechia's exports of color printing ink (excluding black) were relatively evenly distributed among partners. The top three destinations—Slovakia (23.1% of exports in kind), Italy (9.9%), and Germany (9.1%)—collectively accounted for just 42.1% of total export volumes, indicating a diversified market.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Czechia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year reduction, Czechia's exports of color printing ink (excluding black) in value terms saw a rebound. In 2020, exports fell to 12 155 thousand US dollars, a 22.2% decline, but they surged in 2021 to 16 404 thousand US dollars, marking a 35.0% increase compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Czechia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, the largest buyers of color printing ink (excluding black) from Czechia in value terms were Slovakia (20.0% of exports), Austria (14.7%), and Italy (12.2%). Together, these three countries represented only 46.9% of total export value, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Czechia in value, 2018-2021

Imports color printing ink to Czechia

Imports in kind, t

Czechia's imports of color printing ink (excluding black) in kind showed notable fluctuations from 2018 to 2021. In 2019, imports jumped by 23.4%, but they then fell by 12.2% in 2020. By 2021, imports had recovered to 14 163 tonnes, a 14.5% increase year-over-year. Overall, imports grew by 24.1% over the period, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Czechia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Germany dominated as the primary supplier of color printing ink (excluding black) to Czechia in kind, accounting for 58.4% of imports. Austria (9.4%) and Poland (7.3%) followed, with these three countries together making up 75.1% of total import volumes.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Czechia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, Czechia's imports of color printing ink (excluding black) in value terms increased. In 2020, imports dropped to 65 199 thousand US dollars, a 2.8% decrease, but they rose in 2021, with a substantial 17.3% year-over-year growth. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 11.6%, averaging a compound annual growth rate of 3.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Czechia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In the 2018-2021 period, Germany was the leading source for Czechia's imports of color printing ink (excluding black) in value terms, with a 42.2% share. Austria (8.6%) and the United Kingdom (6.0%) were also key suppliers, and together these three markets accounted for 56.9% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Czechia in value, 2018-2021