With dueling print industry tradeshows overlapping in the US this year, I chose to attend LabelExpo Americas and skip Printing United. While that may seem a strange choice, it was a strategic decision to go where I believe unbridled growth and opportunity lie for commercial, label, and packaging printers. The experience delivered on all my expectations and provided plenty of intel to share with you.
There are three things I think you should pay attention to if you are already involved with labels and packaging and want to expand, or want to get in it.
SUBSTRATES! It’s a different world for labels and packaging. Science is required, regulations can apply, and usage drives decisions. More coming on this, but if you are looking at presses make sure you are discussing substrates up front.
RFID! A mandate from Walmart is driving the use of RFID for supply chain and inventory management. This will disrupt barcodes and current systems in place at big box stores and brands. It’s not being positioned as a consumer application anymore, we have QR codes and AR for that. More is coming on this, too, but please start investigating. I learned about RFID from Avery Dennison at the show. RFID will trickle down to smaller outlets and how it’s used will evolve as marketplace experience grows.
FLEXIBLE PACKAGING! I have been on this for a bit and even predicted that drupa 2024 would end up being the ‘flexible packaging’ drupa, but I was early. Put a pin in that for drupa 2028, and let’s look at the opportunity a bit more.
The flexible packaging market has seen significant growth in recent years driven by the demand for sustainable, lightweight, and innovative packaging solutions in a wide range of industries. For printers looking to diversify their services and expand their customer base, this market represents a substantial opportunity.
Why Enter the Flexible Packaging Market?
Growing Market Demand
Flexible packaging is lighter, more durable, and requires fewer materials than traditional rigid packaging, making it an attractive option for industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and personal care. This market offers huge potential for printers to provide packaging solutions to companies looking to modernize their packaging and meet increasing consumer demand for convenience, sustainability, and customization.
A Significant Sustainability Story to Share
Flexible packaging solutions, especially those incorporating recyclable and biodegradable materials, help companies meet their sustainability goals while reducing their carbon footprint from shipping to the shelf and back into the system for reuse. Printers that invest in eco-friendly flexible packaging options will be well-positioned to tap into this growing niche and have a great story to share with brand owners of all sizes.
Growth Across Multiple Verticals
The versatility of flexible packaging makes it suitable for a wide range of industries. While food and beverage is the largest market, health and beauty, pet food, pharmaceuticals, and home cleaning products also rely heavily on flexible packaging. This creates a broad spectrum of potential customers printers can target.
How Can Printers Get Started in Flexible Packaging?
Entering the flexible packaging market requires careful planning and investment in the right equipment and expertise for success. Education is the first step.
There are plenty of options to investigate. LabelExpo was PACKED with international exhibitors and there was equipment in almost every booth. Look up this list.
I was at LabelExpo Americas with my friends from HP Digital Print. They have presses to get you started and to support your business as it grows. The HP Indigo 200K produces labels and flexible packaging … a 2-for-1 bonus! This demo was very popular at the show as you can see in the pic. Four podcasts are coming with HP customers who can help you make decisions by sharing their stories – stay tuned!
Start Your Journey
LabelExpo has shows around the world, and I highly recommend you visit one soon. Next year, LabelExpo Europe – the world’s largest event for the label and package printing industry, moves from Brussels to Barcelona. The buzz is already buzzing and getting there is on my 2025 to-do list. OLE!!
LABEL AND PACKAGE LONG AND PROSPER!
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See Deborah’s featured post: Podcasts About Printing, Packaging, Design, and Marketing for Your Playlist
Deborah Corn is the Intergalactic Ambassador to the Printerverse at Print Media Centr, a Print Buyerologist, international industry speaker and blogger, and the cultivator of Print Production Professionals, the #1 print group on LinkedIn. She provides printspiration and resources to print and marketing professionals through education, events, Podcasts From The Printerverse, ProjectPeacock.TV, and an array of community-lifting initiatives including Girls Who Print and International Print Day,
Deborah also helps companies create more meaningful and profitable customer relationships by utilizing 25+ years of experience as an agency, brand, and corporate print buyer who has assessed, hired, and worked with hundreds of printers and service providers.
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