Challenges and Opportunities

Reardon said, “In the medium term, there are both threats and opportunities. The current difficult business environment means that label and tag printers must be very diligent to maintain an acceptable bottom line result—and that means that, today, they really need to have a low-cost mindset. The narrow-web press manufacturers, substrate suppliers, and consumables manufacturers, however, have delivered a broad base of new opportunities for growing the narrow-web print business—from printing non-self-adhesive webs to adding value to product decoration through innovative label finishes (tactile/heat-resistant, e.g.) and innovative print solutions (thermochromic inks/holographic ink, etc.). There are, therefore, many ways in which a narrow-web printer can broaden its portfolio.” n