As this issue goes to press, hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of attendees are finalizing their plans to attend what will be the final Labelexpo Europe hosted in Brussels, Belgium. With the announcement that the industry’s biggest event will move to Barcelona in 2025, there’s even more hype to what is the label and narrow web industry’s most anticipated event in recent memory.

It’s not just because this will be the last Labelexpo in Brussels that the event is so eagerly anticipated – though that may be a factor – but more so because there hasn’t been a Labelexpo Europe since 2019! For this, we can thank the Covid-19 pandemic and also Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, the latter wreaking havoc on the continent and its supply chain, effectively causing the cancelation of the Labelexpo Europe that was scheduled for the Spring of 2022, which was the rescheduled event from 2021 that was postponed because of Covid.

So it’s been a longtime coming, and now it’s here. Since 2019 and the last Labelexpo in Europe, the industry has been active and robust. Excitement for the event is palpable, and with that in mind, I submit three predictions for Labelexpo Europe 2023.

Flexo: Don’t call it a comeback!

Props to digital printing for all of its advancements in speed, quality and consistency. For these reasons, the process has been getting a lot of headlines the last several years. Despite this, however, flexo has not gone away. The majority of the word’s pressure sensitive labels are still produced flexographically, but it’s just that no one is really talking about it.

I believe this is about to change. One of the key takeaways of Labelexpo Americas 2022 was the complete lack of flexo presses in Chicago – there was not a single one on the show floor. This was eye-opening for many, and in gathering feedback, was also a disappointment.

That wasn’t the case at Labelexpo Mexico in Mexico City earlier this year. Flexo presses were in fact on-hand and demonstrated throughout the show, which was greatly appreciated by those who attended.

Flexo presses will be featured prominently in Brussels, at least more so than they have been, giving the process the attention it rightfully deserves. Press OEMs have taken note of industry feedback. For example:

Mark Andy announced it will launch a new flexo press line at the show – the PRO Series. Designed to be attainable for cost-effective self-adhesive label production, the PRO Series is based on the proven, servo technology from the company’s Performance and Evolution Series. It has a modular structure, which means that, depending on the user’s needs, a pure flexo press can be upgraded with a digital toner unit and transformed into a hybrid.

The company will also highlight the expanding activities of Mark Andy Print Products (MAPP) – a strategic part of the group that was established 10 years ago. MAPP offers a growing and comprehensive portfolio of end-to-end products for flexo label manufacturing, including doctor blades, anilox cleaning supplies, and much more.

Nilpeter is another press manufacturer emphasizing flexo. The Danish company will present its take on “The Future of Flexo” and is inviting visitors to explore its FA-26 and FA-17 flexo presses for labels and flexible packaging. According to Nilpeter, “The FA-26 redefines industry standards with exceptional inline printing capabilities for various applications. Designed with a robust construction and innovative features, it ensures high-quality print at any speed.”

The Nilpeter FA-17, a key component of the FA-Line and touted by Nilpeter as the most versatile flexo press on the market, will also take center stage in Brussels.

Exhibitors offering flexo-related consumables will also see a boost. Suppliers of flexo inks and coatings, anilox rolls and associated products, should all benefit from a “flexo comeback” and should have an excellent show.

Follow the Flexible Packaging Trail

While expansion into flexible packaging has been a growing trend in the label industry for some time now, it will take an even greater leap forward at Labelexpo Europe 2023.

Several exhibitors will address flexible packaging among the technologies they’ll have on display, including Xeikon, Nilpeter, Bobst and Screen, to name just a few.

Filip Weymans, vice president of marketing at Xeikon, urges Labelexpo visitors to “Discover the cutting-edge Xeikon TITON technology, the sole digital print solution empowering shorter runs for sustainable, paper-based flexible packaging at the forefront of the industry’s shift toward eco-friendly substrates.”

Matteo Cardinotti, general manager and global head of Bobst’s Narrow Mid-Web division, says the company will showcase its Master M6 flexo press, what he says is “the most automated and digitalized in-line flexo press in the market today. This press closes the gaps between ultra-short runs of flexible packaging produced on pure digital presses and the very long runs done on CI flexo or gravure presses, with the ability to be profitable even on short runs.”

There’s also a new feature at Labelexpo Europe. Covering the show floor across four days, visitors can follow the “Flex Pack Trail” at their leisure. During the trail, visitors will be able to explore digital and conventional press technologies, flexible packaging material constructions, coating, laminating, ink and curing requirements, inline and near-line decoration options, QC, and migration testing.

Flex Pack Trail sponsors include Screen, Nilpeter, Fujifilm, Xeikon, Synthogra, AkeBoose, Thermal Transfer Solutions, Agergaard Graphic Supplies, Hamillroad, Bobst, Lombardi and Meech International.

Juan Cano, business development director at Screen, says, “Screen is thrilled to participate in the Flex Pack Trail at Labelexpo Europe 2023. We will showcase our latest inkjet digital printing presses designed specifically for the flexible packaging market: The Truepress PAC830F inkjet digital press for printing onto transparent films like PET and BOPP, offering exceptional print quality and vibrant colors; and the Truepress PAC520P inkjet digital press, which responds to the increasing demand for paper-based packaging – both units using water-based food compliant inks.”

In addition, organized by the Label Academy, a flexible packaging masterclass will run as a half-day session on Tuesday, September 12, covering topics such as substrates to the creation of artwork and prepress; printing processes and techniques; inks, coatings, curing and laminating; and converting flexible packaging.

Discussing Design

Label and packaging design has not quite been a front-and-center topic at Labelexpos of the past, but this year that is going to change. Show organizers have announced another new feature, The Dieline Forum.

Organized by global package design community Dieline, a two-day conference taking place during Labelexpo will bring together high-level industry experts, thought leaders, and visionaries to explore the latest trends, innovations, and sustainable advancements shaping the future of packaging design. 

The discussions will explore topics such as the branding strategies and practices that are targeted toward Gen Z and Millennials, to how brands are tapping into the power of sustainability. Keynote speakers include Jemma Wong of PlasticFree.com, Andreu Gadea of Lavernia & Cienfuegos, Jonas Andersson of Brand Union Stockholm, Jo Tulej of Mother Design, Matt Lurcock from Turner Duckworth, Brandi Parker of Here Design, and others.

Gadea comments, “It’s an honor to be able to participate by holding conference at Labelexpo Europe 2023, as it is a world reference event in the packaging industry, attended by the best professionals with the latest innovations. To go hand in hand with the Dieline, one of the most prestigious organizations in the design industry, is a great point of pride for us. We will talk about one of the latest projects we have worked on and that has just been released, including the packaging for the new cosmetic line of Ecoalf, a Spanish fashion brand that is an international benchmark in the search for environmentally sustainable materials and processes.”

Something to take note of: the aforementioned Dieline and Flex Pack Trail will both emphasize sustainability – another hot topic that’s getting even hotter (global warming, anyone?).

In closing, I have one final prediction: The 2023 edition of Labelexpo Europe will be the largest one yet. See you in Brussels.