State of the Industry-Tags and Labels

The Freedonia Group says that flexographic printing will remain as the top label printing method, with above-average gains. These gains will come, in part, from the growth in UV flexo printing and the continuing development of high-quality, environmentally friendly UV inks.

Combination printing will also continue to be a significant factor for label printing, including the addition of gravure stations in flexo presses and digital printing that can be used for variable information. Bill Klein, executive director of the Packaging and Label Gravure Association, believes that this is where digital printing will initially make its mark, as an adjunct to other printing processes.