Aashi Mishra, Senior Content Writer, Research Nester11.20.23
What is Digital Label Printing? Digital label printing refers to the process of using digital printing technology to create high quality full color labels. This includes using electrographic presses, as well as single pass and multi pass inkjet printers that directly print digital files onto various materials like paper, film, foil and more. These materials can then be converted into types and sizes of labels.
Digital printing is particularly useful for fulfilling orders creating label designs that involve color photographs or smooth gradients and producing labels with variable data, like QR codes, barcodes, serial numbers, batch numbers, lot numbers and expiration dates.
Applications of Digital Label Printing
• Product Labeling
Digital label printing is ideal for product labeling because it offers flexibility and cost effectiveness. With variable data printing you can print versions of labels in one go, which comes in handy for products with various flavors, scents or sizes.
Moreover, studies from Label Insight and the Food Marketing Institute show that 86% of shoppers prioritize transparency when grocery shopping. They trust food manufacturers and retailers more if they provide easy to understand ingredient information through product labeling.
• Packaging
Digital label printing is also well suited for packaging purposes including shrink sleeves, pouches and sachets. It provides graphic quality and can handle small print quantities making it a great choice, for seasonal or promotional packaging.
• Security Labels
Digital label printing has the ability to create security labels that come with features, like holographic images, microtext and serial numbers. These labels serve the purpose of preventing counterfeiting and verifying the authenticity of products.
Types of Digital Label Printing
• Inkjet Printing
Inkjet printing is widely used for digital label printing. According to IT Strategies more than 62% of transaction pages in the U.S. are now printed using production inkjet technology. This method utilizes ink droplets to produce images and text on labels. Inkjet printing is ideal for to medium print runs and has the capability to work with various label materials, like paper, plastic and metallic substrates.
• Laser Printing
Laser printing is another popular type of digital label printing. In June 2020 there was a surge in the demand for home use laser printers with a 30% increase in sales of single color laser printers and a 42% increase in color laser printers.
This technique utilizes toner to produce detailed images as well as text on labels. Laser printing is ideal for to medium print runs and offers versatility by accommodating various label materials such, as paper, film and synthetic substrates. One of its advantages is its fast print speeds combined with high quality output.
• Electrophotography Printing
Electrophotography printing, which is also referred to as offset printing, utilizes toner for producing top notch images and text on labels. This method is ideal for print jobs of medium to duration and can handle various label materials, such, as paper, film and metallic substrates. Electrophotography printing is renowned for its print quality and its capability to reproduce intricate designs and graphics effectively.
Ensuring Quality in Digital Label Printing
Digital label printing provides print quality showcasing vibrant colors and sharp images. Nevertheless, it is crucial to guarantee that the final output meets the quality standards. To achieve this it is essential to implement quality control and testing processes that can identify any issues before printing labels in large quantities.
Quality control measures may involve tasks such as color calibration, maintaining print heads and regularly inspecting the printing equipment. Additionally testing procedures should be established to assess adhesion, durability and resistance, against environmental factors.
Apart from ensuring quality, it is crucial for digital label printing to adhere to the standards set by the respective industry and product. For instance, when it comes to food labels, they must comply with the FDA regulations concerning nutrition details and ingredient information. Testing should be carried out to guarantee that these labels satisfy the criteria and are safe for consumers to use.
Sustainability in Digital Label Printing
Digital label printing has sustainable benefits compared to traditional printing methods. It generates waste consumes less energy and produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, digital printing enables on demand printing minimizing the requirement, for print runs and excess inventory.
• Reduced Waste
Traditional printing methods often generate large amount of waste as they require setup materials and produce excess inventory. However, digital printing eliminates the need for materials and enables, on demand printing, which effectively reduces waste and lessens the environmental footprint.
• Lower Energy Consumption
Digital printing consumes energy compared to traditional printing methods since it doesn't necessitate as much heat and pressure to transfer ink onto the label substrate. As a result, it leaves a carbon footprint and helps cut down on energy expenses.
• Fewer Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Digital label printing has an impact on the environment compared to traditional printing methods because it consumes less energy and produces less waste. This makes it an eco-friendly choice, for businesses aiming to lower their carbon footprint.
Future Outlook
The future outlook for digital label printing appears optimistic and promising. With technology advancements, digital label printing has become more efficient and cost effective.
One area that is experiencing growth is the integration of augmented reality (AR) and near field communication (NFC) technology in digital label printing. This will enable the creation of labels that provide consumers with additional product information making the future of digital label printing quite exciting. As technology and sustainability continue to progress we can anticipate more innovative and efficient solutions for label printing, in the future.
Source: https://www.researchnester.com/reports/digital-label-printing-market/744
Aashi Mishra, senior content writer for Research Nester, is an experienced research writer, strategist, and marketer with a demonstrated history of research in a myriad of industries, who loves to distill complex industrial terminologies of market space into simpler terms. She can be reached at aashi.mishra@researchnester.com.
Digital printing is particularly useful for fulfilling orders creating label designs that involve color photographs or smooth gradients and producing labels with variable data, like QR codes, barcodes, serial numbers, batch numbers, lot numbers and expiration dates.
Applications of Digital Label Printing
• Product Labeling
Digital label printing is ideal for product labeling because it offers flexibility and cost effectiveness. With variable data printing you can print versions of labels in one go, which comes in handy for products with various flavors, scents or sizes.
Moreover, studies from Label Insight and the Food Marketing Institute show that 86% of shoppers prioritize transparency when grocery shopping. They trust food manufacturers and retailers more if they provide easy to understand ingredient information through product labeling.
• Packaging
Digital label printing is also well suited for packaging purposes including shrink sleeves, pouches and sachets. It provides graphic quality and can handle small print quantities making it a great choice, for seasonal or promotional packaging.
• Security Labels
Digital label printing has the ability to create security labels that come with features, like holographic images, microtext and serial numbers. These labels serve the purpose of preventing counterfeiting and verifying the authenticity of products.
Types of Digital Label Printing
• Inkjet Printing
Inkjet printing is widely used for digital label printing. According to IT Strategies more than 62% of transaction pages in the U.S. are now printed using production inkjet technology. This method utilizes ink droplets to produce images and text on labels. Inkjet printing is ideal for to medium print runs and has the capability to work with various label materials, like paper, plastic and metallic substrates.
• Laser Printing
Laser printing is another popular type of digital label printing. In June 2020 there was a surge in the demand for home use laser printers with a 30% increase in sales of single color laser printers and a 42% increase in color laser printers.
This technique utilizes toner to produce detailed images as well as text on labels. Laser printing is ideal for to medium print runs and offers versatility by accommodating various label materials such, as paper, film and synthetic substrates. One of its advantages is its fast print speeds combined with high quality output.
• Electrophotography Printing
Electrophotography printing, which is also referred to as offset printing, utilizes toner for producing top notch images and text on labels. This method is ideal for print jobs of medium to duration and can handle various label materials, such, as paper, film and metallic substrates. Electrophotography printing is renowned for its print quality and its capability to reproduce intricate designs and graphics effectively.
Ensuring Quality in Digital Label Printing
Digital label printing provides print quality showcasing vibrant colors and sharp images. Nevertheless, it is crucial to guarantee that the final output meets the quality standards. To achieve this it is essential to implement quality control and testing processes that can identify any issues before printing labels in large quantities.
Quality control measures may involve tasks such as color calibration, maintaining print heads and regularly inspecting the printing equipment. Additionally testing procedures should be established to assess adhesion, durability and resistance, against environmental factors.
Apart from ensuring quality, it is crucial for digital label printing to adhere to the standards set by the respective industry and product. For instance, when it comes to food labels, they must comply with the FDA regulations concerning nutrition details and ingredient information. Testing should be carried out to guarantee that these labels satisfy the criteria and are safe for consumers to use.
Sustainability in Digital Label Printing
Digital label printing has sustainable benefits compared to traditional printing methods. It generates waste consumes less energy and produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, digital printing enables on demand printing minimizing the requirement, for print runs and excess inventory.
• Reduced Waste
Traditional printing methods often generate large amount of waste as they require setup materials and produce excess inventory. However, digital printing eliminates the need for materials and enables, on demand printing, which effectively reduces waste and lessens the environmental footprint.
• Lower Energy Consumption
Digital printing consumes energy compared to traditional printing methods since it doesn't necessitate as much heat and pressure to transfer ink onto the label substrate. As a result, it leaves a carbon footprint and helps cut down on energy expenses.
• Fewer Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Digital label printing has an impact on the environment compared to traditional printing methods because it consumes less energy and produces less waste. This makes it an eco-friendly choice, for businesses aiming to lower their carbon footprint.
Future Outlook
The future outlook for digital label printing appears optimistic and promising. With technology advancements, digital label printing has become more efficient and cost effective.
One area that is experiencing growth is the integration of augmented reality (AR) and near field communication (NFC) technology in digital label printing. This will enable the creation of labels that provide consumers with additional product information making the future of digital label printing quite exciting. As technology and sustainability continue to progress we can anticipate more innovative and efficient solutions for label printing, in the future.
Source: https://www.researchnester.com/reports/digital-label-printing-market/744
Aashi Mishra, senior content writer for Research Nester, is an experienced research writer, strategist, and marketer with a demonstrated history of research in a myriad of industries, who loves to distill complex industrial terminologies of market space into simpler terms. She can be reached at aashi.mishra@researchnester.com.