The packaging and printing industry holds a significant position in the national economy and is also a key area of pollution emissions. Its sustainable development level is directly related to the advancement of China’s “dual carbon” strategic goals. Based on the TOE theoretical framework, taking 18 listed packaging and printing companies as cases, the fsQCA method is used to explore the internal complex causal mechanism of sustainable development of packaging and printing enterprises from the three dimensions of technology, organization and environment. The results show that the sustainable development of packaging and printing enterprises is not affected by a single necessary condition, but government support and technological innovation achievements can significantly drive their sustainable development. There are three ways to achieve the sustainable development of packaging and printing enterprises: “environment-oriented”, "technical organization joint" and "technology-environment joint". The configuration paths of high-level and non-high-level sustainable development do not have a symmetrical causal relationship, and government subsidies are the key factor restricting the sustainable development of packaging and printing enterprises. The research conclusion provides path guidance for the sustainable development of packaging and printing enterprises, and helps to promote their high-quality development.