The production of labels has become mainstream, with more than a third of the total value already being created entirely digitally or hybrid. The move towards digitalisation is being fuelled by brands and retailers who expect label production to be more agile and responsive to rapidly changing demand patterns. Konica Minolta presents the trends and drivers in label printing in the coming year.
The big trend in 2023 is the „smart factory“. The tense situation on the raw materials markets and rising energy costs are forcing printing companies to take a critical look at the overall economic picture of their own business. Optimisation potential is needed across all business processes. Workflow, software and process automation, together with the use of cloud solutions, are important levers, to break down cost blocks.
A higher degree of automation in production and greater efficiency in back-office processes will help label converters to achieve a healthy economic position in 2023. A „Intelligently networked workplace“, The use of „as-a-service“ offerings and managed IT solutions relieves companies on the cost side and increases flexibility in their business processes.
Digital label and tag printing is flourishing. Print runs are continuously decreasing and small batches are only economically feasible with digital printing processes. In 2023, print buyers will also pay more and more attention to sustainability factors. This is where the resource-saving aspects of digital printing really come into their own: fewer rejects and therefore a reduction in waste. In addition to good arguments in discussions with customers, this helps the printing company to get to grips with issues relating to the availability of raw materials and price and energy increases.
The consultancy firm Smithers formulates an important trend for 2023: „As the population grows and the number of smaller households increases, the amount of packaging will also increase.“ E-commerce with individuals requires more packaging, to protect items during transport: Bottles, jars, food packaging - many of these need labelling and Smithers quantifies the value of the global market for digitally printed labels to USD 12.6 billion in 2022. This has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7 per cent since 2017, while the volume has increased by an average of 10.8 per cent.
Smithers also predicts that digital label printing will reach a volume of almost 20 billion US dollars by 2032, when the performance of digital narrow web presses exceeds analogue production and digital finishing and finishing options are available.
The latest figures from market analysts show a consistent picture: the growth potential for digital label printing will remain unbroken in the coming months. IDC forecasts, that the Western European market for digital label and packaging printers is expected to grow by 13.1 per cent by 2025. The European self-adhesive labelling industry association FINAT, in turn, has determined in a study that more than a third of respondents (37 %) intend to purchase a digital printing press and switch to digital production in 2023. This is a significant jump compared to last year (21%).
As a global technology provider with a local service structure, Konica Minolta has been serving small and medium-sized label converters for more than six years. With the introduction of the AccurioLabel 400 Konica Minolta is now also targeting the high-end markets. The AccurioLabel 400 reduces operating costs thanks to even more durable components and allows printing in a 4- or 5-colour configuration for labels with white toner. It also produces at a maximum print speed of up to 39.9 metres per minute.
„We are extremely positive about the future. Digital labelling technology will continue to expand into the traditional flexo and offset sector - good news for all those who are already actively producing digitally and for those who want to develop further.“
Joerg Hartmann, Managing Director Konica Minolta Business Solutions Germany and Austria
SourceKonica Minolta
