Top Label Printing Innovations That Will Reshape the Industry In 2022
One of the critical success factors for labels, graphics, packaging, and publication printing through the next five years will be adjusting to increased demand for faster and shorter print runs. This new normal will reshape the cost dynamics of print buying exponentially and give birth to a new imperative for label printing businesses to invest in new equipment.
This year (2022), the global market for label printing is set to hit $45.22 billion, while the worldwide volume of printed labels will go up to 1.41 trillion A4 sheets during that same time. These are huge numbers! A critical factor that has enabled this growth is the emergence of digital label printing, which allows prints to happen faster and more economically than previously. Many online print businesses have achieved profitability and have thrived because of this increased efficiency. Digital labels also provide a degree of design clarity and crispness, unlike traditional methods. Couple this with the general increase in eCommerce popularity and you have a boom for the label printing industry.
Along with evolving demand, the need to respond faster to multifaceted customer preferences with the help of label design software solutions as well as a growing sense of consciousness about environment-friendly practices has taken precedence. As we kickoff 2022 there are several trends set to reshape the international label printing industry over the next year or so.
Here is what to keep an eye on.
1. Automating the label printing processes
With greater demand for flexibility and shorter print runs, many label printers are investing in management information systems or robust web-to-print platforms that enable a completely streamlined and automated workflow. Most of the label design software solutions have the potential to integrate with the Cloud and coordinate with shipping partners, monitor the production process, and manage payments automatically while giving customers the flexibility they need to personalize the labels and order them. Such a system running round the clock could significantly speed up production and delivery even for limited-period requirements.
2. Producing premium and premium looking products
This involves making a product look more expensive by upgrading the label without changing the product itself. With consumer tastes gravitating to the exclusive and the premium, even in packaging, companies can win more buyers by investing in sleek labels. This involves using a diverse set of embellishments on the label service to make it appear costlier. This improved appearance can readily be accomplished in many ways, such as by controlling the saturation of the base color or by adding tactile effects to the finish. It also helps your label printing business to work with designers who can create custom labels that reflect elegance and taste while accurately representing the product.
3. Self-adhesive labels
As the name suggests, self-adhesive labels are constructed in a manner that does not require applying any adhesive substance. They are made by printing the label design onto three layers – a release liner, a layer of adhesive, and the face material. These labels are exceptionally durable, cost-effective, and versatile, making them popular choices for products that need to be shipped long distances and need their labels intact.
4. Biodegradable labels
These labels are designed to be environmentally-friendly by being readily biodegradable. They are made from sustainably sourced base materials such as compostable paper and are designed to be compatible across multiple applications. Keep in mind that biodegradable labels are not designed for reuse. They are best suited for plain packaging labels rather than elaborate ones that would have taken substantial time and resources to be manufactured.
5. Recycling labelsels
With increased focus on sustainable business processes everywhere, printing and packaging are set to change regarding the materials used significantly. Authorities around the world are introducing guidelines on how to package products with recyclable materials and without waste. Labels are undergoing significant changes, with manufacturers opting for water-based adhesives that can be entirely detached from the surface when immersed in hot water to enable recycling. This is especially helpful for recycling plastic bottles and containers.
6. Transparent labels
These are see-through labels that are typically made from some transparent plastic. They can be used as window stickers to offer a glimpse into what lies beneath and act as an extra protective layer for colored or printed surfaces. Given their subtle look, they tend to blend in and keep the focus on the package itself rather than acting as a distraction. They also avoid the risk of color clashing.
7. Custom labels
With customer trends everywhere moving towards personalization, it is not hard to see why custom labels are also popular. By getting labels printed on-demand with an online label maker, companies can use different labels to suit each festival, occasion, or individual. From packaging labels to product labels to barcode labels, everything can be customized as the brand desires. They can also use label templates to save in their respective user accounts and edit as needed.
8. Inline label printing methods
A common thread for all types of label printing is the need to label packages. Such forms of labeling can range from a need to showcase consistency in branding, identify what is in the package, or offer ingredient or warning info. An inline label printing process enables you to put these details on the packaging thus giving you more flexibility to change designs more efficiently and print on more unique surfaces with different textures. Consumer spending is on the uptick, and the global pandemic has made online shopping more relevant than ever. Brands that can distinguish themselves with high quality packaging and labels can create that much-needed good first impression and keep the orders coming.
If you want to upgrade your label printing game online and want innovation in the printing industry to support that, do not hesitate to contact us at www.zakeke.com for a quick demo or book your free consultation by visiting our website.
Zakeke is well integrated with nearly all platforms and our knowledgeable team can assist you with selecting and vetting the elements of your ecosystem.
If you are wondering what you can do with Zakeke, check out our DEMO STORE.
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