Labels are an essential component of packaging in the food and beverage and personal care segments. Here are some trends that are leading the way in this market.

Have you ever noticed that product labels are changing? Well, you're right; the label market is evolving rapidly and current trends are driving this transformation. From label customization to reflect brand identity, to automation to improve efficiency, to sustainability to meet environmental concerns, trends in the label market are transforming the way brands present themselves to consumers.

In this article, we will discuss how these trends are shaping the future of the label market and how brands can leverage them to enhance their image and stand out in an increasingly competitive market.

First of all, it must be clear that labeling is a growing market; according to the latest report by the firm Mordor Intelligencethe label market is expected to have a stable growth in the coming years, at least in its two most important segments: on the one hand, the printed label market is estimated to have a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% by 2026, while the self-adhesive label market is expected to have a CAGR of more than 6% by 2028.

These are some of the most relevant trends:

Label customization: quality in design and innovation

Custom labels are gaining popularity due to their ability to enhance product appearance and increase consumer confidence. Some of the current trends in custom labels include the use of high quality materials, custom designs and innovative technologies.

According to a study by ReportLinkerthe global personalized label market is expected to reach $6.9 billion by 2026. The growth is mainly due to increasing demand for personalized products and rising investment in advanced printing technologies. In addition, rising environmental awareness and the need for sustainable products are also expected to contribute to the growth of this market.

One example of a trend in custom labels is the use of premium materials. Many brands are opting for materials that bring a sense of luxury and quality to the product. Some examples of materials include:

Recycled paper

Recycled paper, being thicker and more resistant than conventional paper, is ideal to offer that feeling of quality and durability in products.

Vinyl

Vinyl is a durable material used for custom labels. It is ideal for products that must withstand extreme conditions, such as heat or humidity. In addition, vinyl offers a wide variety of printing options, such as screen printing, digital printing and lamination, providing more opportunities for customization in designs and textures.

Fabric

The use of fabric for custom labels is booming due to its resistant properties. Fabric labels are ideal for products that need to be washed or exposed to extreme conditions. They are soft to the touch and also offer a variety of printing options, such as screen printing, embroidery and sublimation.

Metal

It is strong, durable, and offers a wide variety of finish options, such as aluminum, bronze, gold and silver finish. Metal is ideal for products that must withstand extreme conditions and offers great visual impact.

On the other hand, customized designs are key, as they allow brands to stand out in an increasingly competitive market. Label customization also has an important impact on consumer confidence. A customized label helps reinforce brand identity and increase product confidence. In addition, customized labels can help consumers easily identify a product among a wide variety of similar options.

In that sense, color control plays an important role in labeling. For many, good color management implies a greater perception of product quality. One of the solutions being applied to solve color uniformity problems is digitization, which has achieved 100% color matching.

Automation as an ally of the industry

Automation has become a necessity for brands and manufacturers. In addition, automation allows for greater flexibility in label production, as machines can quickly adapt to different label types and sizes.

According to a market study, the global automated labels market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6% during the forecast period (2020-2025). This is due to an increase in demand for automated labels due to the growing importance of production efficiency and cost reduction.

One of the automation trends in the label market is the use of automated printers. These machines are capable of printing labels in bulk quickly and accurately, which significantly reduces downtime and human error. In addition, automated printers can be easily integrated into production systems, allowing for greater efficiency.

Another advantage of automation is that it facilitates short-run printing, especially because of its flexibility. Automation allows quick and easy changes in label designs, which increases production flexibility and adaptability to customer needs. It also boosts customization, allowing the printing of personalized labels in short or low-demand runs, ideal for unique products or limited editions. 

Smart labels

These tags include advanced features such as the ability to track products, detect and monitor environmental conditions, and communicate with other devices through technologies such as RFID (radio frequency identification) and NFC (near field communication).

According to a study conducted by MarketsandMarketsthe global smart label market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 17.2% during the period 2020 to 2025. Factors driving this growth include increasing demand for tracking and traceability in the supply chain, the growth of e-commerce, and the growing need for regulatory compliance.

One example of smart tags is RFID tags, which use a chip and antenna to communicate with RFID readers. These tags are used in a variety of applications, such as inventory tracking in stores and warehouses, product tracking in the supply chain, and automated identification.

The importance of smart labels lies in the ability to provide valuable product information and real-time monitoring of the supply chain. This helps companies improve efficiency, reduce costs and improve product safety and quality.

Sustainability: the market's transversal axis

Sustainability is, in short, the macro trend to be taken into account in 2023. The reduction of environmental impact is a key need for the industry, so the contribution of companies and producers will be essential to achieve the objectives aimed at caring for the environment.

Among the developments seen in this area are edible labels, eco-labels and label-free packaging, projects with which the industry hopes to continue evolving towards more sustainable processes and products with less environmental impact.

Edible labels

These are labels made of materials that are safe to consume and are used to mark food products. These labels are an alternative to traditional paper or plastic labels and are used to provide product information such as expiration date, lot number and storage instructions.

An advantage of edible labels is that they can be ingested together with the product, avoiding the problem of environmental contamination caused by traditional labels. These labels are also used to improve the aesthetics of the products, since they can be customized with different shapes, colors and designs.

There are different types of edible labels, including sugar, gelatin, starch and protein labels. These labels are made from ingredients that are safe for human consumption and can be printed with edible inks.

Read also: edible labels capable of storing data

Ecolabels

Eco-labels, or eco-labels, have become a way of informing consumers about the environmental characteristics of products and services. There are several types of eco-labels, each with a different purpose.

According to international standards ISO 14021, 14024 and 14025 , three types of eco-labeling are established:

• Type I: Also called eco-labels, this certification is granted by a third party certification body. This group includes the entire life cycle of the product or service: design, manufacture, distribution, use and final disposal with environmental preferences.
• Type II: These are known as self-declared environmental labels. These labels have claims made by the manufacturer and do not have any type of certification.
• Type III: Finally, type III environmental labels are those that provide quantitative information on the environmental attributes of a product. This type of labeling is voluntary and not mandatory for the manufacturer.

Packaging and containers without labels

Another alternative being explored is label-free packaging. These containers, which are mostly made of biodegradable and recyclable materials, do not have the traditional paper or plastic label, thus reducing waste and facilitating recycling.

Hay varias empresas que han lanzado envases sin etiquetas en un esfuerzo por ser más sostenibles. Algunas de estas compañías incluyen Danone, Unilever y Nestlé. Danone, por ejemplo, lanzó su línea de yogures “Activia” en envases sin etiquetas en Europa en 2019. Para su línea de productos Danacol, también eliminaron la etiqueta de plástico PET, sustituyéndola por un grabado en relieve en la misma botella, mejorando así su reciclabilidad a la vez que reduce 0,72g de plástico por unidad.

On the other hand, Unilever has experimented with label-free packaging in products such as margarine and detergent in countries such as Australia and New Zealand. Nestlé has also launched label-free packaging in products such as coffee and baby food.

More sustainable inks

Trends in sustainability also include the use of sustainable technologies in label production, such as digital printing with environmentally friendly inks and the elimination of environmentally harmful chemical processes. These innovations make label production more sustainable and environmentally responsible. We tell you about the most significant developments in this area:

Water-based inks

Water-based inks are more environmentally friendly than solvent-based inks because they are less toxic and require less energy for production and disposal.

Inks based on renewable materials

Some companies are developing inks based on renewable materials such as sugar cane, sugar beet and corn, which helps reduce dependence on non-renewable resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Digital inks

Digital technology is revolutionizing the printing industry, and digital inks are an important part of this trend. Digital inks require no plates or chemical processes, which makes them more sustainable than traditional inks. In addition, digital technology enables label printing on a smaller scale, which is an advantage for products with short life cycles or for short-run production.