The label and package printing industry has continued to evolve in recent years. Digital printing has emerged as a staple for many label converters, and new technologies have transformed pressrooms.

Customer expectations have changed along with the technologies, too. Brands are becoming more discerning than ever, requesting higher quality and shorter lead times. The newest solutions on the market have been engineered to tackle these challenges head on.

“The label and package printing industry is undergoing one of the most transformative periods in its history, largely driven by consumer expectations for customized or personalized product labeling, changes in regulatory compliance and the need for production efficiency,” explains Andrew Kim, senior product manager, Epson America.

According to Kim, there are several notable trends taking place. Converters are adopting digital workflows and technologies to increase efficiency, such as on-demand label printing. Plus, automation and robotics continue to streamline tedious manual processes and operate with greater consistency and efficiency. Production environments will move closer to becoming fully automated, with end-to-end workflow solutions that integrate printers, robotics and AI-driven software.

E-commerce will continue to drive demand for label printing. Online purchasing has become a staple for consumers, and it is the primary way they buy items. Consumers resort to e-commerce for a range of products, from retail goods and electronics to food,  beverages,  and other everyday products.

Smart and connected labels continue to rise in prominence. These technologies include RFID, NFC, and serialized QR codes to support traceability and consumer engagement.

Of course, sustainability is also a key industry driver. There is an increased demand for eco-friendly materials, waste reduction and carbon-conscious production methods.

The role of digital

As printing needs become more varied and SKU proliferation continues, converters will rely on digital technology. “Looking ahead to 2026, digital printing will continue gaining market share by delivering faster, more cost-competitive results than analog printing, with much of the growth coming from inkjet digital color printing,” states Kim. “North America is a strong label printing market, and a significant share of the growth will be driven by US demand.”

Digital printing addresses many of the challenges in today’s marketplace, too. “Every industry has its specific set of challenges,” remarks Kim. “Label printers in today’s market are maneuvering many challenges such as increased short runs, rising material and labor costs, workflow efficiency, quality packaging consistency, ongoing regulatory changes and demands, and sustainability pressures.

“Perhaps the biggest challenge to label printers is the proliferation of custom SKUs and the increase in short-run production of labels,” Kim continues. “Long, single production runs are being replaced with thousands of small print jobs. Companies are launching more products – along with more variations of colors, package sizes, and seasonal and regional versions, which increase changeovers, require more flexibility, subject workflow to more potential errors, and increase administrative load.”

Epson has positioned itself to meet the demand for digital with numerous products. Epson’s ColorWorks color label printers enable true on-demand color label production. This reduces inventory risks and eliminates the waste associated with traditional pre-printed label rolls. Epson’s label printing solutions are engineered with PrecisionCore printheads, too. This feature produces consistent, high-quality labels with fast turnaround times. The products are suitable for a range of label applications, including food and beverage, chemical, healthcare and manufacturing.

“Digital printing empowers companies to produce exactly what they need, when they need it, dramatically reducing waste, shortening lead times and enabling rapid response to market changes,” comments Kim. “Digital workflows also unlock the full potential of flexible printing, allowing brands to personalize and change label designs on the fly, including custom serialized information or seasonal messaging without the cost and complexity of analog printing.”

A technological future

Where RFID technology was once cost prohibitive, the technology has graduated to greater adoption. “With smart labeling tools, such as RFID labels and tags, packaging will increasingly serve as a platform for brands to gather insights, personalize the consumer experience, and meet compliance requirements through more transparent traceability systems,” notes Kim.

Meanwhile, automation and AI are making significant inroads in the print industry. “More businesses are seeing the need to increase packaging and labeling speed while adding efficiency and cost savings to operations,” says Kim. “Implementing a print-and-apply printer and robot solution streamlines label printing and application while simplifying label inventory to meet on-demand needs. Automation also supports better quality control, real-time inspection and predictive maintenance – critical components of next-generation production floors.”