Label Market Remains Strong

The outlook

Still immensely popular, pressure-sensitive labels are not the only game in town. Other label types include heat-shrink, stretch sleeve, in-mold, and thermal transfer.

This is illustrated in "Labels to 2013" by the Freedonia Group. According to the study, U.S. label shipments are projected to advance at a 4.5 percent annual rate to $19.2 billion in 2013. More than three quarters of the total gains will be in the pressure-sensitive segment. However, more rapid growth will be achieved by heat-shrink, glue-applied, stretch sleeve, and in-mold labels, the study states, because these application methods provide intense competition for pressure sensitives. "Heat-shrink labels are forecast to outperform all other major label types, benefitting from their attractive 360 degree aesthetics, broad promotional area, and capability to provide tamper evidence, as well as their increasing cost effectiveness and ability to form-fit contoured containers," states the report.