Trademark Registration for Printing & Packaging Businesses in India (2026)

📅 Updated: May 2, 2026 • 🕐 9 min read • ✍ IP India Research Desk

✅ Quick Answer: Printing services register under Class 40 (material treatment and processing — includes printing services). Printed products register under Class 16. Packaging material brands use Class 16 or Class 17 depending on materials. Government fee: ₹4,500 (MSME) or ₹9,000 (company) per class.

Classes for Printing & Packaging Businesses

Business Type	Class
Printing services (digital, offset, screen)	Class 40
Printed products (brochures, books, labels)	Class 16
Paper/cardboard packaging materials	Class 16
Plastic packaging materials	Class 17
Flexible packaging films	Class 16 or Class 17
Graphic design / DTP services	Class 42
Signage / display boards (manufacture)	Class 16 or Class 19

India's Printing Industry: ₹80,000 Crore Market

India's printing and packaging industry is one of the fastest growing, driven by FMCG packaging demand, e-commerce packaging, and pharmaceutical labelling. Trademark is critical for:

Differentiating quality commercial printers from commodity print shops
Packaging brands that supply to FMCG companies need registered trademarks for corporate supplier qualification
Digital printing and personalised merchandise brands built on Instagram/D2C channels

Flexible Packaging: A Rapidly Growing Branded Sector

Flexible packaging brands (laminated films, stand-up pouches, shrink sleeves) for FMCG and pharma are high-value B2B products. Brand copying in this sector occurs when:

Smaller converters use similar brand names to established packaging companies in tenders
Distributors repackage products under the printer's brand without permission
International buyers confuse similarly named packaging suppliers

Print-on-Demand & Merchandise Brand

Online print-on-demand businesses (T-shirt printing, custom gifts, personalised products) need trademark registration for the brand under which they sell. Class 40 covers the printing service; Class 25 or Class 16 covers the physical product sold.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which class for a printing company?

Class 40 covers printing as a service (you print for others). Class 16 covers printed products you manufacture and sell.

Do I need to file in both Class 16 and Class 40?

If you both provide printing services AND sell printed products under your brand, file in both. If you only provide services, Class 40 is primary. If you only sell printed products, Class 16 is primary.

Can a graphic design studio trademark its brand?

Yes — graphic design and DTP services file under Class 42 (computer programming, software development, design services). Creative agencies file in Class 42.

My printing company name is being used by another printer in my city — what do I do?

File your trademark immediately. Send a cease and desist letter. If they don't comply, file for injunction in court. A registered trademark dramatically strengthens your legal position compared to fighting on common law grounds only.

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