This fall we checked out Loupes Americas 2026. We decided to see what the labeling and print side of packaging has been doing. Label and print tends to be the background when it comes other industry events such as with Pack Expo. Usually in the packaging development process, labels and printing are seen as ancillary items which they should be not. Here are a few key take-aways from the show:
Multiple print and labeling companies are increasing their prices
The past few years label manufacturers as well as printers have collaborated with direct and in-direct clients to ensure their products stayed cost competitive. By not increasing pricing as other packaging components did has caused financial pains for these industries. Current economic conditions as well as tariffs have inevitability led label and print adjacent companies to follow suit of other packaging vendors by increasing costs. They can no longer afford to “eat the costs”. Especially when their customer’s are demanding more of them both from R&D, production, and procurement stand points.
Ink and pigment manufacturers are making strides to eliminate hazardous chemicals to humans and the environment
Inks used in printing and for labels utilized toxic PFAS and PFOS chemicals as recently as a couple of years ago. Brands did not recognize this as an issue until environmental organizations called them out for it. As a side note, most brands treat printing and label vendors as non-priority partners.
Most ink, pigment, and additive companies have come up with more environmentally as well as human friendly alternatives to the hazardous culprits of the past. Brands and end users will see the benefits from an overall impact.
Will brands will sacrifice the “pop” effect for sustainability? There has been a decrease of use of hazardous chemicals to humans and the environment in labels in print, but some companies are continually using the items until there is an effective ban of use.
Print and labeling equipment manufactures are collaborating with other packaging manufacturers to streamline processes
The standard packaging manufacturing practice are composed of the structural and labeling/printing sides being independent. For example; a paperboard carton is constructed structurally then sent off- site for printing. In some carton instances printers will only print the top sheet for the carton and send them as well as the paperboard cartons to a third party to have them laminated.
At Loupes Americas there were multiple equipment manufacturers combining both carton die cutting and printing processes into one machine. This leads to less secondary operations. These advancements in addition to digital printing, are increasing in-line manufacturing capabilities of packaging. The overall results are astounding!
Automation of label production using various technologies including RFID are increasingly prevalent.
Another interesting application for printing of product labels at Loupes Americas was machinery that had the capability to insert RFID inlays into label stock as well as print/laminate and die cut all on the same machine. Witnessing the machine with capability of doing so allows brands to keep tabs on their product in a non-obvious/discrete manner.
New adhesive, printing, and other technologies for labels
While at Loupes Americas, we stopped by a few label manufacturers to see what was new. What we found was encouraging. A couple of businesses developed the use of lasers leading to die-less label production. Several manufacturers generated alternative methods for thermal labels. By using dielectric or embossing processes, these techniques omit marring and bleeding that is typical with the standard thermal process. A handful of firms created labels that could be adhered, removed, and re-adhered multiple times. This is a great label stock/adhesive material composition advancement. Especially the removal process for recycling and EPR initiatives! All of the improvements found are game changers to the label and print industries.
Pack Protocols LLC can provide future trends and findings in the packaging industry that may be critical to your business. Contact us today at +1 (657) 204-6093 or info{at}packprotocols.com