Printing Innovation into the Future

Dai Nippon Printing (DNP), approaching its 150th anniversary, has built its strength by applying core printing technology far beyond publishing, achieving world-leading shares in metal masks for OLED display manufacturing, optical films for displays*, battery pouches for lithium-ion batteries, and dye-sublimation media for photo prints.

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Photo: Yu Kaida

Founded in 1876, DNP began as a printing company but steadily transformed its core competencies into new industries. After World War II, the company diversified into packaging, electronics, and decorative printed materials, all rooted in the same printing processes that defined its origins. Today, roughly half of DNP’s revenues come from Smart Communication, while about half of its operating profits are generated by Electronics.

This evolution has made DNP an unsung but essential global leader. Its metal masks are critical to Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) display manufacturing, optical films delivering diverse functions to displays, its battery pouches support the rise of electric vehicles, and its dye-sublimation thermal transfer media dominate global photo printing. The company is also a major producer of photomask for semiconductors and smart cards, further broadening its top-share portfolio.