With the holidays upon us and 2021 on the horizon, Label & Narrow Web delved into which online features sparked the most interest among readers in 2020. In light of the pandemic, the editorial staff conducted countless interviews, attended virtual events and covered the industry’s response to COVID-19.

We look back at the top ranked original stories that drew the most site traffic:

10. Hub Labels improves efficiency
Part of Hub Labels’ commitment to Lean Manufacturing requires internal audits that target areas for improvement. One such area included diecutting, and Hub Labels turned to Kocher + Beck to assist with this project.

“We decided to ask Kocher + Beck to come in and look at our processes, identifying the issues with what we were using at the time and make some suggestions for us,” states Jesse Hood, quality and continuous improvement director at Hub Labels. “Our partnership began when we decided to conduct that additional research.”

“They have a really good program tailored to us, and the technology works really well,” adds Nink Myers, purchasing manager at Hub Labels. 

9. Avery Dennison continues ‘smart’ expansion
Smart labeling can change the packaging landscape in a number of ways, from combating counterfeit goods to revolutionizing the retail experience.

Avery Dennison, a materials supplier based in Mentor, OH, USA, has spent more than a decade developing smart technologies. “As the world’s largest RAIN UHF RFID partner, Avery Dennison is constantly keeping a pulse on the industry and innovating in the space to meet the needs of emerging segments,” explains Jay Wittmann, product manager, Intelligent Labels, Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials. 

8. Avery Dennison optimizes materials for beer, wine, spirits
Alcoholic beverages comprise one of the most popular labeling segments, and there is no sign of slowing down. Whether it is further craft brewery expansion, wineries or distilleries, demand for eye-catching packaging has never been higher.

“We’re constantly seeing requests for unique materials or more tactile materials that will help brands stand out on the shelf,” explains Vanita Marzette, senior product manager – Wine and Spirits, Avery Dennison. “Avery Dennison’s Sensorial Collection adds the senses of touch, sound and even smell to the label. The Sensorial Collection offers label surfaces that feature a soft touch, textured or patterned papers. Some offer subtle sounds as fingers move across the surface, and hand-selected trees used to fashion wooden labels deliver a delicate, natural scent.”

7. Epson heads into new year with expanded portfolio
Epson’s products, with proprietary printheads and ink, answer market demand for tabletop digital printers all the way to production series presses.

“Epson’s digital printing technology in color labels has benefited from the company’s strong commitment to R&D for continuous improvements in speed, image quality, reliability and productivity,” says Victor Gomez, director, Industrial Label Products, Epson America. “ColorWorks and SurePress models have evolved organically and have also been able to leverage technology from other areas of the company: robotics, ink developments, software, sensors.”

6. Avery Dennison identifies latest consumer packaging trends
Laura Noll, market research manager, and Michelle Bober, market research analyst, explained consumer behavior traits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many consumers have shifted to products promoting health and wellness – both from a physical, mental, and emotional standpoint. According to Bober, 57% of consumers want to improve their overall health and well-being, and they’re looking to brands providing total solutions.

“Consumers are buying whatever they can that’s packaged in the safest way,” explained Noll. “Even with produce, there are a lot of stores now putting them into flexible packaging so people aren’t touching the products. People are buying packaging that they wouldn’t have bought previously.”

5. Lofton Label finds success in Twin Cities
With both flexo and digital capabilities, Lofton Label now produces labels for a broad array of industries, including agriculture, animal health, food and beverage, health and beauty, industrial chemical and beverages. One large portion of its business is extended content booklets, which they print both flexo (offset) and digitally. The company has also become known for high-end, high-quality peel and reseal booklets. 

In the future, flexible packaging is seen as the biggest opportunity, and the company intends to invest in a wider press to build on its current knowledge and growth and take it to the next level. 

4. Security label applications poised for growth

According to Michael LeRoy, senior product manager at Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials, the security labels market is projected to surpass $45 billion by 2030. COVID-19 has only amplified the spotlight on security products over the past few months.

“We have seen an increased focus on brands and businesses wanting to ensure their products will arrive safely to consumers, as well as using labels to communicate to consumers that products or goods are secure and haven’t been tampered with,” explains LeRoy. 

3. RR Donnelley examines changing craft beer landscape

Pressure sensitive labels have allowed the growing craft beer market to really spread its wings in recent years. Brands have the opportunity to utilize a greater chunk of real estate to spread their message, whether it be on a can, bottle or growler. The labels must also be functional, withstanding the demands of moisture in an ice bucket.

“Microbrews connect with their audiences through packaging,” says Alan Etheridge, director of customer engagement at RR Donnelley. “Traditionally, the larger brewers connected with consumers through different forms of advertising and marketing. Everything at the microbrew level is around the packaging and connecting with the consumer at the package level.”

2. HP answers customer demand with new portfolio
In an exclusive interview with L&NW, Alon Bar-Shany, former general manager of HP Indigo, explained how the new product range, which includes the HP Indigo V12 digital press, has been engineered to “transform” digital printing. The line promotes digital printing at flexo-like speeds, without sacrificing any of the attributes that have become synonymous with HP Indigo printing technology.

1. FlexFilms focuses on future of packaging
L&NW sat down with Anantshree Chaturvedi, CEO of FlexFilms, to discuss a wide ride of pressing industry topics, from sustainability to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Flexible packaging offers many environmental benefits compared to other forms of packaging. It offers stronger barrier properties that result in an extension of product shelf life, which helps control food waste. It also offers a higher product-to-packaging ratio and a lower overall carbon footprint,” said Chaturvedi.