The labels market is on the cusp of some very significant changes, and these are taking it on a high growth trajectory over the period of 2019 to 2027. Technology plays a key role in propelling growth in the market and determining market share for players operating the playfield.

Some of the factors that are massive contributors to growth include the growing demand for pressure sensitive labels, which feature varying levels of cost, versatility and increasing efficacy – an outcome of aggressive and proactive measures from top players.

Transparency Market Research has identified multiple trends and developments. A technology that has been significant in the market due to its ability to track and identify counterfeit goods is that of RFID – Radio Frequency Identification. Part of the umbrella of intelligent solutions, it can be added to labels for tracking and authentication.

In logistics and retail, linerless labels are paving the way for noticeable growth as companies are directing efforts toward revenue stream diversification, which are involved in labels in a massive way – owing to material savings. This is set to contribute positively to the growth of the labels market over the forecast period.

The versatility and cost-effectiveness of pressure sensitive labels (PSL) are contributing toward market growth. Light application of pressure without the need for heat, water or solvent are attributing to PSL’s easy-to-use features in the food industry. As such, the revenue of PS labels is anticipated for exponential growth in the labels market, where the global market is estimated to be valued at roughly $51 billion by the end of 2027. Thus, to boost their credibility credentials in the market landscape, manufacturers are increasing their efficacy in PSL made from recycled materials.

RFID inlays are being embedded by PS labels that deploy intelligent labeling solutions to stakeholders in the food industry. As such, the ever-evolving food industry is generating incremental opportunities for label manufacturers. On the other hand, the RFID technology is being used for tracking, authentication, and anti-counterfeit of goods.

Companies in the labels market are broadening their scope for revenue opportunities by increasing their production capacities in linerless labels. For instance, Mitsubishi Hitec Paper Europe is acquiring global recognition by manufacturing environmentally responsible and versatile linerless labels.

Linerless labels are gaining prominence in both retail and logictics applications. These novel labels can be used with mobile printers, as well as with robust industrial printers. Such products are bolstering volume growth in the labels market, where the global market is estimated to reach an output of roughly 85,100 million square meters.

Advantages of linerless labels are benefiting stakeholders in the retail and logistics sector, owing to its attributes of material savings. The abundance of labels per roll is helping to reduce transportation and storage costs of these labels. Thus, stakeholders in the retail and logistics sector can meet their productivity targets since more labels per roll lead to less frequent exchanging of rolls.

Apart from leading players in the labels market, local and regional players that dictate around 65%-78% share of the market are gravitating toward the latest innovations in inkjet printing. However, manufacturers dealing in traditional printing methods involving shrink sleeve labels, such as flexographic printing and gravure printing, require the need to create etched templates for each new run. Thus, manufacturers dealing in conventional printing methods are lagging behind in the global market competition. Hence, increased awareness about digital inkjet printing is helping label manufacturers to follow this trend.

The labels market is undergoing a change with the introduction of digital inkjet printing. As such, digital printing dictates the highest revenue among print technologies and is projected for aggressive growth during the forecast period. Digital inkjet printing is eliminating the need for plates or cylinders, thus emerging as a cost-effective choice for small batch printing.