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After some challenges over the past few years in the label, packaging and embellishment industry, including Covid and a market contraction in 2023, we see a distinctly optimistic outlook on the horizon for the year ahead.
Set to be among the most industry-defining developments are the major advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning, both key factors in driving automation. These technologies are enabling the creation of end-to-end ecosystems that streamline processes from design to production.
With its ability to deliver precision, flexibility, and speed, digital printing is now a cornerstone for businesses navigating a landscape that demands rapid turnarounds and shorter print runs. The integration of AI is empowering businesses to rethink possibilities, enhance efficiency and reduce waste.
There will be increased adoption of smart labels with technology such as RFID tagging and NFC often incorporated. According to IDTechEx, the European market for RFID labels is expected to reach €2.5 billion by 2027.These will be implemented increasingly in warehousing and logistics management or promotional labelling.
Regulations governing the declaration of content, such as allergens and nutritional information – often needed in several languages – are becoming more stringent, which will also lend itself to further growth in digital production.
And we see a growing trend towards premiumization for products in food and beverage sectors that are predominantly consumer-facing. Brands will be demanding more attention-grabbing labels. Particularly with high-value applications, we see the label aesthetics significantly influencing consumers in their purchasing mindsets. This will also involve further use of creative ways of embellishments and is why the sector is poised for sustained growth.
We see the digital market continuing to make real inroads to traditional markets as converters change their mindsets in labels, as well as having a strong focus on driving flexible packaging via a digital route and looking more at the benefits of embellishment.
This is a view backed up by experts. “The key trends in label printing are related to the increasing adoption of digital technologies, the increasing adoption of automation and the evolution of software, often incorporating artificial intelligence, to manage print and finishing processes,” according to analysts Smithers1.
Smithers’ report2 shows that after a market contraction in 2023 (primarily due to falling demand for label stock that had built up during Covid years, though printing volumes were less affected), growth resumed and is predicted to continue over the next five years, reaching 4.4% CAGR in volume and 3.8% CAGR in value by 2029. The printed label market in 2024 was valued a $44.8 billion with a volume of 1.34 trillion A4 equivalents. Western Europe will account for 221.1 billion A4 equivalents in 2024 with a value of $9.5 billion, representing a share of the global printed label market of 16.5% by volume and 21.3% by value, according to Smithers3. It is forecast to continue to grow by 2.4% CAGR in both volume and value in the five years to 2029 to reach 248.3 billion A4 equivalents, valued at $10.7 billion. Other experts also predict a growth path in labels for the future, albeit also recognising that there is uncertainty in today’s business climate with world events impacting confidence. In a report4, Philippe Voet, FINAT President, pointed to statistics that showed volumes of label stock sourced by converters had risen 26% in the first half of 2024 compared to the corresponding 2023 period although slowing to 19.5% in Q3. “Still, a remarkable turnaround after the 25.8% drop in 2023,” Mr Voet remarked. The data was compiled by research experts AWA Alexander Watson Associates that reports5, “with some market shifts and dynamics, there is an optimistic outlook on the horizon.”
The printed label production environment will continue to undergo a huge transformation. Traditionally shaped by runs of thousands of long lead times, today the emphasis is on fast turnaround short and medium runs. Analogue processes will decrease as a percentage of overall print volume, according to Smithers6. By 2029, it is forecasted that 9.7% of the volume and 27.5% of the value of all labels will be printed digitally, highlighting the financial benefits. “This shift is driven by the increasing adoption of digital print processes by label converters who recognise their capabilities,” says the report. “Digital printing, once limited to short-run jobs, has become a mainstream method for label conversion.” The ongoing growth is because digital printing technology offers a level of flexibility that helps mitigate the many label challenges, as well as reducing waste and inventory costs, making the supply chain more resilient.
We will continue to work closely in partnership with our customers to help them rethink possibilities. One example in labels is our Austrian customer SONNENTOR that uses our AccurioLabel 230 press among its Konica Minolta technology portfolio. Digital production enables the company to produce labels for its colourful herbal and fruit teas in different languages for worldwide sales. “We can produce our labels and advertising materials very flexibly which helps with reducing paper waste and unused material,” says Gerhard Leutgeb CEO, SONNENTOR.
At Konica Minolta, one of the ways we have already addressed the fast-evolving sector is through combining the highly versatile AccurioLabel 400 – the latest member of our market-leading (Infosource) AccurioLabel family – and MGI’s JETvarnish 3D Web systems to deliver digital label production efficiency and creativity in a dynamic way. Among the benefits of the combination are the empowerment of printing companies struggling with rising material costs and labour skill shortages – two challenges that are still with us for the foreseeable future. Whatever 2025 will bring, we are confident of a brighter future in labels, packaging and embellishment. And with a Labelexpo in Barcelona on the horizon for September, we can’t wait to meet you again in person. 1 Smithers: The Future of Printed Labels to 2029, Executive Summary, Page xxxii 2 Smithers: The Future of Printed Labels to 2029, Executive Summary, Page xxvii 3 Smithers: The Future of Printed Labels to 2029, Label Printing Geographic Markets, Page 158 4 FINAT Radar 25, The European Narrow Web Market, Q3 2024 5 “A Turnaround in Labeling and Product Decoration Market with a Positive Outlook on the Horizon”, AWA Press Release, March 2024 6 Smithers: The Future of Printed Labels to 2029, Label Printing Process Markets, Overview, Page 85
About Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe
Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe GmbH, based in Langenhagen, Germany, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Konica Minolta Inc., Tokyo, Japan. With its unique expertise in imaging, data processing and data-based decision making, Konica Minolta creates relevant solutions for its customers - small and medium-sized businesses, large enterprises and public sector - and solves issues faced by society.
As a digital workplace solution provider, Konica Minolta helps its clients to identify and unlock the potential digitalisation holds and reach the next level in the digital maturity of their organisation by rethinking the workplace. In support of an ‘Intelligent connected workplace’, Konica Minolta offers cloud, IT, managed print and video solution services for remote working, collaboration, workflow management and automation and security. The company’s success in driving transformation is also confirmed by IDC, since the ‘IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Print Transformation 2023 Vendor Assessment’ has named Konica Minolta a “Leader” in print transformation. Konica Minolta has been a Microsoft Global Managed Partner since 2021.
Konica Minolta's Igniting Print Possibilities offering helps printers, converters and brand owners maximise workflow automation to increase efficiency. The company delivers consultancy in all communication matters as well as top-of-the-line production, packaging as well as label printers. Its finishing devices create print products that stand out and create added value. Konica Minolta has established itself as the production printing market leader for more than a decade in Europe (InfoSource).
For an increasing number of organisations, success today is more than the narrow definition of financial prosperity – it also includes protecting the environment and having a positive impact on their workforce as well as the societies they are embedded in. With its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Konica Minolta has pledged to consistently pursue its sustainability and social responsibility goals.
The company has been repeatedly recognised for its rich history of social contribution as well as for working towards achieving the SDGs throughout its business and supply chain. Konica Minolta received a GOLD Level Recognition Medal in the EcoVadis sustainability ratings for 2024.
For its remote services, Konica Minolta was awarded the prestigious ‘Buyers Lab (BLI) 2023-2024 Pacesetter Award in Remote Service for the Western European market’ from Keypoint Intelligence.
Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe is represented by subsidiaries and distributors in more than 80 countries in Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa. With more than 8,800 employees (as of April 2024), Konica Minolta Europe earned net sales of over EUR 2.13 billion in financial year 2023/2024.
Worldwide, the company has over 40,000 employees and is operating in over 150 countries.
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Team Manager Brand Positioning & Architecture, Content Strategy & Development
Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe GmbH
+49 (0)511 7404-5604