Digital challenges flexo
In recent years, the narrow-web presses that characterise self-adhesive label production have mostly employed the flexographic print process, most recently coupled with speedy UV curing. But the fast-developing narrow-web digital colour print options – particularly the HP Indigo and Xeikon – are dramatically changing the face of label print.
As brand owners and retailers opt for shorter production runs of their products, delivered more often, as well as multi-versioning of products using the same basic packaging, so the speed, the flexibility and shorter-run capability of digital print is proving itself.
Tarsus report that there were 75 different digital label printing machines exhibited at Labelexpo Europe last year for ‘standalone’ use in the print room, or for use in combination, inline, with ‘traditional’ label presses. It also expects to see 40% of the installed base in narrow-web printing presses being in digital by 2020.
Linerless revives
Linerless self-adhesive labels – which briefly enjoyed popularity in the 1980s – are enjoying a resurgence of interest, especially for supermarket catch-weight food pre-packs, where technology advances have made them a real success. While limitations on label shape have held this format back, developments are ongoing and this is an area to watch.
Technology and the brand experience
On-press trends include an ever-broader tool case of special finishes for labels, such as photochromic and high-gloss metallic inks; time-temperature indicators; holograms; and tactile varnishes.
Designed to enhance the consumer’s experience of a product’s packaging and create shelf ‘stand-out’, they partner highly engineered permanent and removable adhesives to deliver the perfect performance for the brand owner’s needs.
Connecting the global industry
In an increasingly global label market, there is a real need for a ‘living’ network for the whole base of industry players, sharing information and knowledge, transcending the boundaries of countries and languages.
Over less than three years, the L9 – the global collective of label industry associations, of which European trade body FINAT is a founder – has made enormous strides in this direction by sharing knowledge and experience on sustainability and recycling; jointly promoting the label industry’s ‘best-in-class’ at the World Label Awards and introducing benchmarking and standardised best practices.