Opportunity Knocks

What's next?

The forecast for the label industry over the next few years, might not qualify as robust, but would settle in at "healthy." The Freedonia Group's "Labels" study forecasts U.S. label shipments to increase 5.7 percent per year to $15.2 billion in 2008. It identifies radio frequency smart labels, two-dimensional barcoding, and plateless digital printing as technologies that will open up opportunities for new label applications. Because of the labels' importance in brand identity, there is also expected to be a greater use of 360-degree labeling; increased use of higher cost plastic labels (especially for the no-label look); and increased use of labels to enhance security and provide expanded product information.