For the first time in its history, Labelexpo Europe will take place in Barcelona, Spain, marking a new chapter for the label and package printing industry’s premier global event. From September 16–19, 2025, the halls of Fira Barcelona Gran Via will host thousands of attendees eager to explore the latest technologies and trends shaping the marketplace.

This year’s show promises to be bigger and more comprehensive than ever, with innovations spanning presses, substrates, finishing, and more. Alongside the exhibitors, a program of special features, demonstrations, and networking opportunities will give attendees fresh insights into both the present and future of labels and package printing.

The Label Trail

A highlight of Labelexpo Europe 2025 is the return of The Label Trail, an interactive journey designed to showcase the best in materials, inks, embellishments, and sustainable solutions. The Trail connects attendees with suppliers, providing a view of how creativity, technology, and eco-consciousness apply to label production. 

The Label Trail encompasses every stage of the label creation journey – from job specification, order handling, prepress and automated carbon foot-printing to digital printing, embellishment, and finishing. Participants can gain insights into how low-impact materials, carbon measurement, and sustainable processes contribute to reducing environmental impact, aligning with the industry’s commitment to sustainability. The Trail also delves into the integration of smart packaging technologies, illustrating how digital content and traceability enhance consumer engagement and meet
compliance requirements. 

Each Label Trail guided tour lasts approximately 60 minutes and is limited to 20 participants to ensure an engaging and informative experience. With 14 time slots available over the four-day event, early registration is recommended to secure a preferred time.

Press Technology on Display, Folding Cartons in the spotlight

The show floor will of course feature numerous live press demonstrations. Flexo, digital, hybrid, and offset platforms are all being represented, with suppliers unveiling their latest equipment lines for both narrow web and wider web package printing. Visitors can expect to see advancements in short-run digital flexibility, high-speed flexo automation, as well as hybrid press configurations. The hands-on environment provided by live press demonstrations remains a defining feature of Labelexpo, offering converters the chance to compare machines side by side.

Reflecting the industry’s growing diversification, Labelexpo Europe 2025 is highlighting a special focus on folding carton production. More than 25% of exhibitors at Labelexpo Europe 2025 have portfolios that reach across labels, flexible packaging, and folding cartons. The segment continues to attract label converters seeking new revenue streams, and the show will spotlight how press platforms, finishing systems, inks/coatings, and substrates are being adapted for carton applications. 

“Folding cartons are today overwhelmingly printed on sheetfed presses followed by further off-line operations such as creasing and diecutting, hot stamping, and embossing,” says Any Thomas-Emans, strategic director at Informa Markets Labels & Packaging Group. “These multiple process steps add to lead time and create a lot of work-in-progress (WIP) as pallets are moved between workstations.”

Thomas-Emans continues, “The technologies which could revolutionize this traditional workflow are core Labelexpo technologies: inline flexo and rotary offset, digital and hybrid. Inline flexo, rotary offset, and hybrid presses allow the processing of folding cartons in a single pass from printing and coating to cut-crease and sheeting. As with any label press, additional processes can be added inline such as screen printing, foiling and embossing and VDP/numbering. The finished cartons are immediately ready for shipping or further processing on folder-gluer machinery.

“Digital printing has huge potential for short run and personalized folding cartons,” he adds. “In 2013, HP Indigo demonstrated a folding carton line built around a Tresu iCoat 30000 digital press and with partner Kama demonstrating half-size cut/creasing. Since then there have been interesting developments in water-based inkjet for folding cartons, and Mark Andy’s executive vice president Tom Cavalco says the company is actively looking at how to apply its hybrid UV inkjet platform to the folding carton market,” says Thomas-Emans.

Introducing Labelexpo Ambassadors and The Pulse Arena

Labelexpo Europe, which spans a 45-year history, is once more supporting the industry in its current transformative shift powered by technology, M&As, and sustainability mandates reshaping the market. Addressing these topics and more at the show are experts designated as “Labelexpo Ambassadors.” 

As prominent industry experts, Labelexpo Ambassadors are sharing their knowledge across the label and package printing ecosystem, targeting their specific areas of expertise and addressing the industry’s current trends. The ambassadors are: 

• Flexible Packaging: Chris Ellison – managing director, OPM Labels and Packaging Group Ltd 

• Materials: Corey Reardon – president and CEO, AWA Alexander Watson Associates 

• Sustainability: Marius Tent – founder, ViaPackaging UG and 360 PackMastery 

• Folding Carton: Will Parker – senior packaging executive 

• Automation and AI: Steve Metcalf – founder, CEO, and chief AI officer – IMAGINE AI LIVE

The ambassadors will command a prominent role at the event by leading dedicated keynotes, a meet and greet, and Q&A sessions at The Pulse Arena, a space designed for education, networking, and the convergence of innovative ideas. 

“It is with great pleasure and honor to be asked to be a Labelexpo Ambassador, providing independent expertise as a face and a voice of the materials segment of the labeling and packaging value chain. I look forward to the show in Barcelona, bringing together material suppliers from across the globe and learning of new materials, technologies, and how we can secure our supply chains moving forward,” comments Corey Reardon, president and CEO, AWA Alexander Watson Associates.

The Pulse Arena is set to be a central hub for learning and innovation, focusing on sustainability – with an emphasis on PPWR, diversification opportunities for label converters into flexible packaging and folding cartons, and the future of AI and automation in the industry. 

Commenting on the show’s evolution and the contribution Ambassadors bring, Jade Grace, managing director, Labelexpo Global Series, says, “Labelexpo has evolved from a show focused on pressure sensitive labels to a comprehensive platform covering the full spectrum of package printing. Our ambassadors embody the collaborative business mindset that’s emerged across the value chain, bringing expertise in folding cartons, flexible packaging, sustainability, and automation that reflects how our industry has evolved to co-drive innovation.”

Sustainability and Automation, Excitement for Barcelona

Two of the most pressing topics for converters are sustainability and automation, and both are front and center in Barcelona. Exhibitors will showcase substrates, inks, and adhesives, designed with recyclability and circularity in mind, while also demonstrating automation technologies that address labor shortages and rising production costs. From robotic material handling to advanced workflow software, the show is illustrating how automation is transforming efficiency in real time.

Thomas-Emans says, “Automation is central to making label and package printing businesses sustainable in the long run. Automation will be absolutely essential to address the shortage of skilled labor available to the print industry.

“At Labelexpo Europe 2025, we expect to see major advances in machine automation. We already see a great deal of automation in the flexo process from make-ready to automated monitoring of print pressure, tension, registration, and color. A move toward extended color gamut printing – keeping the same seven CMYK+OGV inks in the press to simulate Pantone colors – allows the automation of color management at the prepress stage,” Thomas-Emans explains.

The move from Brussels to Barcelona marks a historic change for the show. With world-class infrastructure, excellent and convenient travel connections, and the vibrant backdrop of Catalonia, the new venue offers an exciting setting for exhibitors and attendees alike. The Fira Barcelona Gran Via provides expansive halls that allow Labelexpo Europe to grow in scale while delivering a modern, accessible experience.

Labelexpo Europe 2025 is more than a trade show – it’s a meeting point for the entire international label and package printing industry. With the Label Trail, live press demonstrations, a spotlight on folding cartons, and thought leadership around sustainability and automation, this year’s edition promises to set the tone for the future of the industry. And with Barcelona as its new home, the stage is set for the most dynamic Labelexpo yet.