Put a label on it
The label printing sector was estimated by Smithers Pira to be worth $41.2bn (£30.55bn) in 2019, and since 2014 the market has grown 4.8% in value and 5.2% in volume (A4 prints). When you think of all the applications labels are used for (food and beverage products, beauty and skincare products, medical packages, tracking and barcodes on packaging, the list goes on) it’s no surprise the sector is such a busy one.
What’s more, the role of labels are incredibly important as they act as warnings for dangerous and poisonous substances, include lists of allergens which can potentially save lives, and also important information such as sell by dates.
With that being said, it’s clear to see why the label printing sector is one worth being in for print businesses with lots of opportunity to diversify and grow. In this feature, we take a look at some of the latest developments in kit, and the trends keeping demand charging forwards.
A world first
Based in Suffolk’s Bury, St Edmunds, Abbey Labels has been a label specialist printing company since 1982. The company supplies BRC grade and ISO 14001 approved full colour labels to the food, beverage, cosmetics, industrial, security, and pharmaceutical industries in the UK.
Abbey Labels has been providing specialist label printing solutions for four decades
Abbey achieves all of this with a fleet of digital and flexo narrow web presses along with a comprehensive finishing section. Last year, the company installed a new MPS flexo press with an integrated high-speed die-cutting module.
Tom Allum, chairman of Abbey Labels, explains: “This inline solution was a world first and more than doubled the cutting speed we can achieve on press. We also regularly upgrade our digital department to stay ahead of the curve with the latest Xeikon technology for the production of food safe, high-quality labels.
“Our finishing lines from AB Graphic offer a great range of embellishment options, which enables us to create labels with exceptional shelf appeal and add real value for our customers.”
When it comes to labels, Allum recommends investing in a complement of digital and conventional printing press kit in order to produce short, medium and longer job runs at a competitive cost level without compromising on quality.
Describing faster production times and just-in-time delivery as “now the norm”, Allum says it’s difficult to choose just one piece of kit because each machine plays a vital role in the making of a label. “Let’s not forget the press operators and the rest of our staff – we certainly wouldn’t be where we are today without them and their expertise,” he adds.
In terms of opportunities within the sector, Allum says that whilst most people can invest in a desktop label press to produce simple labels, stepping up to produce labels on the scale that Abbey Labels does is a little more complicated.
“You really need to understand the whole process from prepress to dispatch, including label substrates and how they behave on press, adhesive technology, inks, varnishes and coatings, foiling and embossing, and die-cutting and slitting.
“Workflow is a particularly important aspect because you can quickly lose money if you’re spending too long getting a short run job through the whole system, so you need the right set up and the software to support it. Finally, the application must be fully understood to ensure the label is fit for purpose whether that is on a bottle of shampoo or a drum of chemicals.”
Digital is the future
A company that produces technology for label printing is Xeikon (the Digital Printing Solutions division of the Flint Group). The company has over 30 years’ experience in digital hardware and software for label printers and converters. Xeikon’s portfolio includes web-fed digital colour presses using both dry toner and inkjet technologies, and also application specific finishing equipment. All of these are cloud connected and integrated with Xeikon’s X-800 Digital Front End.
“Digital printing technology is now regarded as the future for all sectors,” says Danny Mertens, corporate communications manager of Xeikon. He adds: “The significant rise in online ordering has accelerated the need for automation, faster production speeds and specialist quality colour controls. During the pandemic, Xeikon’s strategy was to continue to develop and bring to market new digital platforms, new presses, and digital innovations, both dry toner and inkjet technology.”
Xeikon’s corporate communications manager, Danny Mertens
The new developments include the Xeikon CX500 dry toner label press which is a high speed one pass digital press featuring Cheetah 2.0 dry toner technology for food safe label production. The second is the Xeikon CX30 and CX50 both of which are built on Xeikon’s sixth generation platform for maximum OEE (overall equipment effectiveness) and for label printers looking to produce creative and unique labels.
Thirdly is Xeikon’s seven-colour UV inkjet press with extended colour gamut capability and high levels of productivity for industrial and durable label production – the PX30 000. The Xeikon XCS Pro 2.0 cloud-connected, specialist colour management toolbox is a “no waste, no expert” fully automated colour system.
Most recently, the company launched version 2.0 of its Panther UV inkjet technology and alongside this, two new label presses. The Xeikon PX3300 and PX2200 features new substrate handling technology for a wider choice of substrates, as well as using PantherCure UV inks for high gloss, high end labels with long term durability.
“Print providers are under continual pressure and this has only been heightened by the impact of the pandemic,” explains Mertens, adding: “Many companies that were thinking about diversifying to add value are now taking action. Xeikon is experiencing more and more enquiries from companies looking for advice on the practical steps to set up new revenue streams. With the growing trends for shorter runs and digital embellishments we are seeing strong growth in digitalisation as the labels and packaging markets continue to grow.”
In response to growing demand for more creative embellishments, Xeikon launched its new series of modular Label Converting Units. This series offers automated lamination, die-cutting, slitting, winding, hot foiling, screen printing and spot varnish.
In terms of the opportunities for print businesses to diversify into the label printing sector, Mertens adds: “Digitalisation offers the ability to respond immediately. For printers looking for affordable digital label production solutions for short run, just-in-time production and customisation, we launched the Xeikon 3030 REX, an entry-level press using our dry toner technology certified for food safety.
“This cost-effective investment is proving a popular choice for printers and converters looking to take their first steps into digital but at a professional level. The full colour digital press has the benefit of opaque white offering access to health and beauty markets, premium beer and many other end-use applications. The 1200dpi print resolution on the press ensures the printer can address both offset and flexo high quality markets.”
Highly durable
Supplier of specialty printing systems, DTM Print, recently announced the availability of the Catalyst Laser Label Marking System manufactured by Primera Technology. The Catalyst produces highly durable, synthetic labels for rough applications. Labels produced with marking lasers such as Catalyst, can be used to replace metal plates or less durable labels produced by resin thermal transfer printers onto polyester substrates.
DTM Print recently announced the availability of the Catalyst Laser Label Marking System by Primera Technology
Highly durable labels are needed for applications such as medical devices, under-hood part numbers and VIN numbers, warning and instruction labels, aerospace and solar panel labels, and serial tags for outdoor power equipment.
The information is laser-imaged onto Colour Laser Film (CLF) developed and manufactured by Schreiner ProTech in Germany. The benefit of using CLF labels is that they don’t need extra lamination as they are already designed for extreme environments and exposure to UV light, chemicals, liquids, and temperatures up to 300°C.
Rather than using ink, Catalyst uses two, four, or eight fibre-coupled laser diodes with matched, high precision lenses to image onto CLF. According to DTM Print, this is the first time bundled fibre lasers have been used in a roll-fed desktop laser label imager. Catalyst’s in-built digital die-cutting system cuts the labels into any shape removing the need for pre-die-cut labels.
Because the machine uses a knife rather than a laser to cut the labels, there is no need for a smoke and fume extraction system.
Andreas Hoffmann, managing director of DTM Print, comments: “We are excited to introduce this ground-breaking new laser-based label imaging system. For companies that need labels for use in harsh and severe-service environments, and even for mission-critical applications such as aircraft or automobile identification, Catalyst is the most affordable and easiest to use laser-marking label printer available.”
Also from Primera Technology, DTM Print has added the LX3000e Color Label to its offerings. The LX3000e is the latest addition to the LX-Series of desktop full-colour label printers and uses the same platform as the LX910e Color Label Printer but with the addition of large, individual ink tanks and reusable thermal inkjet printhead.
The LX3000e features the addition of large, individual ink tanks and reusable thermal inkjet printheads
Named ‘Big Ink’, the system achieves print quality of 1200dpi resolution with maximum print resolution of 1200dpi x 4800dpi and the machine can print labels up to 8.25" wide and 24" long.
Hoffmann adds: “The LX3000e is a desktop label printer that expands perfectly our portfolio of printing solutions. It combines the latest in ink technology, excellent print quality and exceptional low cost per label.”
Soft to touch
Another new product to the market is Pulse Roll Label Product’s new PureFX Soft Touch Varnish. This launch extends the company’s special effects range and is said to be in response to market demands.
According to Pulse, demand for tactile finishes is increasing with brand owners seeking haptic coatings that give packaging or labels a premium touch and feel. Achieving a UV soft touch effect has in the past proved difficult for narrow web printers due to the nature of UV-free radical curing. Pulse’s new product offers a solution for companies looking to move away from film and water-based coatings.
After testing at a select number of label printing companies, Pulse believes the solution to be comparable to soft touch lamination film and water-based flexo. Suitable for a range of substrates such as PE, aluminium foils, and paper, the product is also suitable for food packaging use.
O Factoid: Smithers Pira estimated the label printing sector to be worth $41.2bn (£30.55bn) in 2019 O
Simon Windle, technical manager of Pulse, says: “The very nature of UV is that it is hard which is why it is difficult to achieve a soft touch coating with both the haptic properties and the high resistance properties required to protect product packaging from scuffs, rubs and chemicals.
“When compared to UV curing products, water-based coatings can achieve a good soft touch effect but are generally less durable and can be harder to run consistently on press, whilst lamination films are costly and generate more waste.”
With the drive to online ordering during the pandemic, the increase in the need for labelling in medical products, and the increase in demand for personalisation and gifts, the need for labels has never been greater. With that being said, there are a number of opportunities for print businesses to grow and move into this sector, the key is knowing what area to go into and selecting the right equipment for the job.
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