Labelexpo Americas 2024 is the largest North American event dedicated exclusively to the label and package printing industry. The show takes place September 10-12 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, USA, just outside of Chicago.

Hundreds of live demonstrations of flexo presses, digital technology, and finishing equipment will be on display at Labelexpo Americas. In addition, the show features expanded networking opportunities, and it will focus on merging educational content and bringing the international package printing community together.

Labelexpo Americas will also feature a one-day conference program, two educational workshops, and a master class, all aimed at the latest trends impacting the label and package printing industry. The show feature areas include a Flex Pack Factory, a focused area for flexible packaging, and an RFID Zone and Innovation Stage, focusing on automation, RFID technology applications and development.

TLMI, a sponsoring partner for Labelexpo Americas, will host an Eco Stage on the first two days of the show, presenting the latest developments in sustainability.

Other highlights include the Opening Night Party, featuring the Label Industry Global Awards, an evening to honor organizations and individuals who have excelled in the label and package printing sector within the past two years.

Tasha Ventimiglia, group director, Labelexpo Americas, comments, “We’re excited to be back in Rosemont for Labelexpo Americas 2024. Attendees can expect to see a range of key innovations that are shaping the future of the label and package printing industry, including sustainable material solutions, workflow automation, and RFID technology. We can’t wait to connect and network with our international audience at this must-attend event for the industry.”

Over the next few pages, we’ll present the anticipated show themes and featured areas, as well as input from a renowned industry expert on the various label printing technologies to be showcased at Labelexpo Americas. We’ll then present our annual Labelexpo Product Preview, detailing many of the products and technologies Labelexpo Americas  attendees can view in person during the three-day event.

Industry Trends Highlighted

Labelexpo Americas 2024 is focusing on the the most prominent industry topics and trends.

FlexPack @ Labelexpo will run alongside Labelexpo Americas. It is a focused area for flexible packaging and shrink sleeves, and allows attendees entering this high-value market to see the latest equipment and materials from leading industry suppliers in the flexible packaging sector.

The new FlexPack @ Labelexpo highlights key technology and solutions for label converters interested in diversifying into flexible packaging production, as well as traditional wide-web flexible packaging converters wishing to amplify their operation.

Companies confirmed as participating in FlexPack @ Labelexpo include Karlville, Gonderflex, S-OneLP, ABG, Mamata, Protect-All, Novaflex, BONSET American Corporation, SANZIP re-closable zipper, and Nobelus. In addition, three times a day, attendees will have the chance to attend a short introduction to flexible packaging, presented by HP.

A flexible packaging master class is taking place on September 10 and will provide converters with expert guidance into how label converters can enter or expand into this lucrative market.Also featured is an RFID experience where attendees have the opportunity to learn more about the growth of RFID, see live demonstrations of how smart labels are produced, as well as understand how data is stored, tracked, and managed.

The RFID in Labels and Package Printing workshop, also taking place on September 12, aims to provide the necessary technical knowledge for label and other converters looking to move into the arena of RFID and smart labeling.

Exhibitors will also get the chance to present new technologies and solutions in 20-minute presentations at the Innovation Stage.

TLMI will host an Eco Stage on the first two days of the show, presenting the latest developments in sustainability. The Eco Stage is designed to support a better performing, more environmentally-conscious label and package printing industry. Sessions include topics such as tackling the big myths surrounding sustainable packaging, what converters should really be concerned about, and the key takeaway actions.


Also taking place is a converter leadership lunch on September 10, featuring a panel discussion that includes Elizabeth Yerecic, executive vice president, sales and sustainability, and co-owner, Yerecic Label; Bruce Hanson, CEO, AWT Labels & Packaging; and Guido Iannone, chief sales officer and president, Mexico, South Africa and China, All4Labels; and Craig Curran, president, Nosco. They will address key industry trends, including sustainability, automation, and workforce development.

A breakfast networking session will take place on September 11, where keynote speaker Katie King, CEO of AI in Business, will discuss how AI is making its mark on the industry.

Ventimiglia comments, “Flexible packaging, sustainability, RFID, AI, and automation are all key topics that are trending in the industry right now, so it made sense to capitalize on these trends at this year’s Labelexpo Americas. FlexPack @ Labelexpo, for instance, will allow attendees to see short run, added-value flexible packaging, including all the ancillary equipment, thermal lamination, pouching equipment, materials, and coatings required to enter this demanding market. We look forward to showcasing these fast-growing areas of the industry to all attendees.”

Wide range of press technologies on display

By Andy Thomas-Emans

Labelexpo Americas 2024 gives attendees the chance to see a range of new conventional, hybrid, and digital press technology, including the first US showing for presses from Mark Andy, Canon, HP, Nilpeter, Durst, and Omet. 

Labelexpo Americas sees flexography making a big comeback after an absence at the last show, both as standalone presses and in hybrid inkjet configurations.

A key trend at the show is toward mid-web flexography, with both Mark Andy and Nilpeter showing 26″ wide presses.

We first saw the growing interest in mid-web flexo at Labelexpo Europe last year. The wider web width of these machines allows them to print larger format packaging products, including flexible packaging, in-mold labels and shrink sleeves – two or more up on the same web.

These products can, of course, be printed on narrower web machines, but only 1-up, which creates more waste and is less efficient.

Some converters are even using mid-web presses to print multiple lanes of self-adhesive labels roll-to-roll, then slitting and finishing off-line.

It is interesting that HP demonstrates its mid-web format 200K press for the first time with an add-on slitter, precisely to allow label converters to adopt print-and-slit inline and finish off-line the PS label workflow.

Similarly, wraparound labels can be produced more efficiently at higher volumes.

So the mid-web press is a highly versatile tool that allows converters to enter new market segments or to be more efficient in markets where they already operate.

Mark Andy will use Labelexpo Americas for the global launch of its new P-Series S9 press, engineered for both the flexible packaging and label markets. Using sleeve technology, the press will be available in 22″  and 26″ formats.

Nilpeter’s mid-web FA-26 makes its North American market debut following its launch at Labelexpo Europe last year, when the company made multiple sales off the show floor.

Labelexpo Americas also has a lot to offer in the more traditional narrow web flexo widths.

Nilpeter is introducing its new FB-14/-17, which sits between the FB workhorse and the more advanced FA-Line, offering more automation at an investment level affordable to a broader segment of converters.

Hontec demonstrates its FlexiCon servo-driven press, available in 350/460/570mm (13/17/22″) web widths, supporting up to 12 colors with capabilities including cold foil, delam/relam and lamination. It operates at speeds up to 150 m/m with Industry 4.0 connectivity.

Standalone digital
Labelexpo Americas sees the North American launch of Canon’s first water-based digital press, the LabelStream LS2000. The LabelStream prints at 40 m/m CMYK + white and features a new 2400 x 1200 dpi printhead with ink recirculation and food-safe inks developed specifically for those printheads.

HP is demonstrating an HP Indigo 6K press along with a range of associated software services, including PrintOS Spot Master, XR Services, security and brand protection, sustainability (with the CO2 calculator), and an extensive customer application showcase.
Domino is showing its latest 7-color (CMYKOVW) N730i digital press incorporating 1200 x 1200 dpi BITSTAR inkjet head technology from parent company Brother Corporation.

Konica Minolta is demonstrating its entire labels portfolio, headed up by the AccurioLabel 400, offering CMYK and a new fifth station white dry toner, the established AccurioLabel 230 digital toner press, and the JETvarnish 3D Web 400 web-fed digital embellishment system that integrates spot UV varnish, hot-foil stamping, and variable data printing in a single pass.

Hybrid on a roll
Hybrid flexo-digital presses are another key feature of this Labelexpo Americas.

Omet is launching into the North American market its new KJet hybrid digital press, developed in partnership with Durst and first seen at drupa. The press is built on the modular base of Omet’s K-Flex flexo press and incorporates the latest Durst RSCi digital print engine.

Mark Andy is showing a range of hybrid solutions. At the Domino booth is a Mark Andy Pro Series flexo press integrated with a Domino K600i dual UV inkjet print bar and K300 high-speed monochrome variable data printing unit. Mark Andy is also demonstrating the veteran 2200 flexo press integrated with a Domino IQ-R digital engine based around Domino’s established 7-color N610i technology. Mark Andy is exhibiting the latest version of its Digital Series HD hybrid press with a new front end, as well.

Bobst brings its “All-in-One” Digital Master 340 to the show, featuring integrated control of both digital and conventional print and finishing modules from a single interface. Plus, Bobst has updated its AccuCheck inline inspection and calibration system to include automatic quality inspection at job setup and job queue synchronization, along with enhanced automatic nozzle compensation.


Heidelberg-Gallus is using Labelexpo Americas to launch its Gallus One digital press into a fully-fledged hybrid press. Gallus’ “System to Compose” allows any modules of the Labelmaster press to be combined with the Gallus One. Similarly, a Gallus One print engine can be retrofitted to an existing Labelmaster line. The company has announced availability of a 430mm/17″ Gallus One to go alongside the existing 340mm/13″ frame, bringing the digital press into line with the Labelmaster format range. Gallus has also announced the addition of orange and violet inks to the Gallus One CMYK+W ink set.

Flexo presses and finishing equipment can also gain hybrid capabilities by adding a press-wide print bar, capable of jetting a variable spot varnish, tactile finish, opaque white, spot color or cold foil. At Labelexpo Americas JetFX is demonstrating its print bar both in standalone operation and as part of a laminator, adding variable tactile effects to flexible packaging.

Digital Print Inc. (DPi) is introducing its M7 13″ UV inkjet print bar for flexo presses or converting systems. It operates at speeds of 800 fpm with a resolution of 600 dpi for printing variable barcodes, text,
and graphics.

Fujifilm Integrated Inkjet Solutions is presenting the 46kUV Printbar System UV printbar for label imprinting. Operating at speeds up to 500 fpm (152 m/m) at 1200 x 600 dpi, the 46kUV printbar is available in 13″, 17″, and 20″ print widths. Also at the show is the DE1024 digital embellishment system, which adds gloss or tactile effects to existing analog or digital print production. It can seamlessly integrate into existing label presses and other narrow web machines.

Inline digital
While flexo presses have added digital capabilities, digital presses are integrating flexo press equipment.

Dantex, for example, is presenting its PicoJet 1200 digital inkjet technology. It can be configured as a hybrid press, including flexo, diecutting, cold foil, lamination, edge trim, back scoring, and rotary or shear slitting.

Shenzhen Runtianzhi Digital Equipment is using Labelexpo Americas to mark the global launch of its Flora J-350 P8 HD UV inkjet label press, which can be configured with inline flexo, cold foil, varnishing and laminating modules. The press prints at a resolution up to 1200 x 1200 dpi at 100 m/m (328 fpm), supporting a CMYK+W+O/V color configuration. Media range is between 0.04-0.35mm on coated paper, synthetic paper or films. The Flora J-350 P8 HD has a maximum roll diameter of 1,000 mm.

Pulisi is bringing its DPIM-330F digital press, which can be configured with flexo, cold foil, digital varnish and laminating stations. Mark Andy is also demonstrating the Digital Pro MAX integration of Konica Minolta’s ACL400 toner engine with semi-rotary diecutting.

Arrow Systems is launching its ArrowJet 330R M Series water-based inkjet press with a modular design. The press allows customers to integrate a range of inline technologies such as priming, varnish, lamination and slitting. It prints at 1600 x 1600 dpi resolution.

Anytron is showcasing the Any-Jet II Plus digital press line, which includes built-in laminating and laser cutting to deliver roll-to-roll labels in a single pass.

Systems integrator General Inkjet Technology (GIT) is launching in the US its Label Modular 330HD 1200 x 1200 dpi printhead. The 330HD system can be configured with up to nine color channels and a maximum printing speed up to 229 fpm (70 m/m). It can be configured with inline modules, including coating, printing, varnishing, foil stamping and cold stamping.

Systems for in-house or a label converter’s bureau operation are also to be featured at the show. For example, iSys is promoting its Horizon toner-based label press, printing at speeds up to 55 fpm for short run production on a variety of diecut, kiss-cut or roll substrates.  AstroNova and its newly acquired subsidiary, MTEX NS, are showcasing the TrojanLabel T2-Pro and Atom 3 + Cutmaster technology.

In conclusion, Labelexpo Americas will be a landmark show to see the key trends in the conversion of labels and flexible packaging. Flexo is differentiating itself with wider and more automated machinery, while narrow web flexo is integrating digital print and decoration technology. Digital is transforming in terms of speed and print resolution, and taking full advantage of flexo automation to integrate conventional finishing and imaging technology, both in- and off-line.