The growth of digital label printing has been felt by converters around the globe. What was once a niche technology used to service the shortest orders has blossomed into a major driver of label printing.

The entire global label print market is valued at roughly $33 billion, with a CAGR of 4% to 5%. Digital label printing accounts for about $12 billion and is growing by 21% annually.

If a successful label converter has not yet installed a digital asset, they soon will. Or at the very least, they will begin the research phase. Speed, quality, on-demand printing, and lower waste are just a few of the advantages of modern label printing. In fact, the technology has evolved even over the past few years.

In order to find success in this market – especially for those new to digital – finding the right partner is key. For example, Durst has taken strides to ensure it serves as a partner that can guide customers throughout their journey – from entry level to full-scale production.

“It’s important to choose a partner that will help your business evolve,” says Steve Lynn, director and GM, new markets, Durst North America. “It’s important to consider what changes will exist in every aspect of your operation when getting started with digital. From media order changes to having a sales team educated and excited to sell digital labels, a thorough plan is critical when introducing digital print to a label business.”

Durst’s data illustrates the boom in this market. Installment data from Durst shows that in 2017, when the Tau platform was released, more than 3,100 industrial digital color label presses were operational worldwide. By 2019, that number had grown to 4,077. As a percent of all global press installations, digital presses went from 34% of the market in 2017 to 40% in 2019.

Durst has focused on a seamless adoption of the technology. While the company’s experts are available to walk converters through the process, the company has also emphasized ease-of-use and simplicity with its digital assets – from the press itself to software.

“From the start of the development of the Tau series of printers, product development has focused on answering demands in the label market and making the transition as easy as possible,” remarks Lynn. “With plenty of experience and success in transitioning from digital label printing, we have a team of experts that not only consult on the best solution for their client and future prospect demand, but also focus on operational efficiencies from software to automation.”

While digital label printing has been growing for some time, the latest industry trends have expedited its usage – specifically in the inkjet realm.

“Digital label printing enables easy production of short runs and jobs with variable data,” explains Lynn. “Online shopping and the fact that now inkjet has higher speeds at flexo quality, we are seeing more converters transition from flexo to inkjet. Inkjet also shines as a sustainable production method, a top concern for many brand owners and consumers. Inkjet technology offers less setup time, reduces waste material, and lowers chemical consumption for cleanup and setup. It also uses less power than flexo on medium and longer runs.”

Historically, digital inkjet printing for labels and packaging has been somewhat limited because of speed. Plus, resolutions were low. Until recently, 600 dpi was the standard inkjet head resolution. That is no longer the case, though.

“At that resolution the quality is good, just not quite good enough to rival digital toner, making the technology unsuitable for high-quality labels destined for supermarket shelves, wine and spirits bottles, and pharmaceutical packaging,” comments Lynn. “Inkjet had a place for durable and standard labels, just not the highest quality that flexo and toner could provide for prime label. But inkjet label printing technology is making great leaps in speed, quality, and productivity that address all those issues.

“With the Tau platform, Durst has set a new standard for industrial digital UV inkjet label printing that includes exponential quality improvements in resolution, speed, and cost of operation,” he adds. “The Tau RSC system outputs full-scale production of mid to long runs at speeds and quality that match flexo technology and operating costs that now allow for more flexo to digital conversion.”