The Myths and Realities: Digital Printing for Labels and Packaging

Digital printing has been around for decades. Over time, the technology — and the range of applications digitally produced — has dramatically evolved. Today, digital printing is growing faster than ever, specifically in the area of labels and packaging.

To assess the current state of the digital print market, Memjet commissioned NAPCO Media to research the market and technology trends driving adoption of digital printing for packaging and labels. Click here to download the research report.

The survey of close to 300 providers of label and package printing services provides insight into why digital printing — specifically inkjet printing — is fast becoming the technology of choice for label and package production.

Dispelling the Myths of Digital Printing

The NAPCO research revealed some surprising facts about why providers are not adopting digital printing — and insight into the benefits being realized by those who do.

The research shows that companies that are not currently printing on digital presses are primarily concerned about pricing and ROI. These respondents felt they could not competitively price digital printing in the market. Moreover, some respondents perceived the cost of investment in digital printing technology as too high.

A smaller percentage of non-digital users reported that they were waiting for future digital printing developments; others said that digital printing didn’t fit their product mix.

What is surprising about these answers is that the experience of companies who do print labels and packaging digitally completely defy those perceived challenges.

The majority of these companies surveyed report that digital printing is lowering the entry barriers for offering packaging. The companies also say that digital presses are more affordable today than ever before.

Most importantly, the companies that have adopted digital printing report the technology has opened up new opportunities for their operations.

Market Trends Driving Adoption

The research highlights how digital printing has become a critical resource for reducing barriers and giving providers access to new markets.

According to the survey results, printers and package converters gain critical benefits from digital printing:

• Accommodate short-run production needs
• Provide a faster turnaround for their clients
• Add the value of personalization to labels and packages
• Print prototypes or short-run samples in a cost-effective way
• Print only what is needed through versioning

The Impact of Inkjet

When it comes to digital printing, it is inkjet technology that is shaping developments in the label and packaging market.

Over half of the survey respondents said they print on inkjet-powered digital presses.

The providers choose inkjet because it enables them to keep pace with market demands. The survey cites printing variable images/data, high print quality, faster speeds, and ease of use as the top reasons for adopting inkjet technology.

The majority of these providers are currently using inkjet to print labels, with most considering expanding into package printing.

The good news for these providers is that inkjet innovations, like Memjet’s DuraFlex technology, create a new breed of low cost, single-pass inkjet solutions for corrugated, folding carton, and flexible packaging materials.

With its low cost of entry and high print quality, these types of solutions enable print providers and converters to expand into package printing quickly and easily.

Learn More About Today’s Digital Print Opportunity

Using digital printing technology means print providers and packaging converters can meet the demands of their clients and succeed in this changing market.

Be sure your organization is making the most of digital printing. Download your copy of the NAPCO report Inkjet Primed for Mainstream.

Click here to download the research report.