Labeling and product decoration are critical to the packaging industry, combining the essential information to identify a product with the sales enhancement properties of branding and on-shelf visibility. The status of this market is documented in the newly-published 17th edition of AWA Labeling and Product Decoration Annual Review 2023.  

The study explores all the different facets of the subject across the main labeling formats – pressure sensitive, glue-applied, sleeving, in-mold labels – and their supply chain characteristics.  

The new study details the profiles of the different end-use application segments, including primary product labeling, variable information printing, and security labeling, and sets them in the context of in-depth regional market analyses. In 2022, AWA estimates that global label demand approximated 72,617 million sqm  – showing a growth of 2.3% over the prior year.  

While these figures span all the label and product decoration technologies, 40% of these volumes were in pressure sensitive labels, 35% in glue-applied labels, and 19% in the sleeve labeling technologies.

Regionally, the countries of Asia continue to claim the largest market share, 46% of the total; Europe a 24% share; North America an 18% share; South America 8%; and Africa and the Middle East 4%.  

AWA’s regular updates on aspects of the labeling and packaging market are detailed on the company’s website, where its Global Annual Review Labeling & Product Decoration may be ordered online.