The global market for label printing has been growing steadily from 2014 to 2019, at rates of 4.8% in value and of 5.2% in volume (A4 prints). Smithers latest market report The Future of Label Printing to 2024 values the market to be worth $41.02 billion on volumes of 1.21 trillion A4 prints or equivalent in 2019.

This is a 4% increase on the 2018 value of $39.46 billion, and up 5.5% on 2018 volumes of 1.15 trillion A4 prints or equivalent. The market will continue to increase up to 2024, at an annual average rate of 4.0% in value to $49.90 billion, and by 5.5% in volume to 1.59 trillion A4 prints or equivalent.

The Future of Label Printing to 2024 critically analyses and forecasts how new demands from label customers and changing market dynamics will affect the choice of label materials and implementation of innovative label technologies to 2024. The key trends for different labels are:

Pressure-sensitive labels will further increase their market share as government regulations on tracking and barcoding requirements for medical and pharmaceutical products are implemented.

Wet-glue labels despite losing market share will see high-growth in certain product niches in segments, such as the beer industry in Asia.

Multi-part tracking labels market position is being eroded by newer electronic tracking solutions increasingly favoured by the logistics industry, such as RFID technology.

In-mould labels have a small share of the label printing market, but demand is holding steady owing to a growing perception of their eco-friendliness.

Sleeve labels: Shrink labels make up the largest share of the global sleeve market at 90% of global volume and are expanding into new areas, including the labelling of beverage cans.

This market report also takes a comprehensive look at print process trends in label printing. The most commonly used print process for labels in 2019 is flexography, used to print 403 billion A4 prints or equivalent with a value of $13.3 billion. However, with annual growth of 3.1% in value and 4.4% in volume over 2014–19, flexo is not keeping pace with overall market growth, primarily as a result of the rise of digital printing processes. Inkjet has been growing at a much faster rate since 2014, and will continue high growth overtaking electrophotography in volume before 2024.

‘The Future of Label Printing to 2024’ provides in-depth quantitative market information and forecasts for the global label printing industry, segmented by 5 label types, 7 types of print processes, by end use, and by geographic regions; together with expert analysis of the key trends affecting the label printing industry to 2024.

Notes for Editors            

‘The Future of Label Printing to 2024’ is available to purchase. For more information download the report brochure. 

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