Labels give products their unique identity and boost the impulse to buy at the point of sale. Although the label market accounts for just 5% of the worldwide print volume of around EUR 400 billion, it has the biggest growth potential in the industry. This is because of the high demand for labels with unusual embellishments and just-in-time delivery. The annual growth in self-adhesive labels is over 4%, increasing to double digits for digital inkjet printing. Asia is now the fastest growing label market in the world with over 40%, followed by Europe with 25% and the USA with almost 20%. Heidelberg provides a comprehensive product portfolio with its subsidiary Gallus that supports label printers with digital and conventional machine systems for success in this promising market.
A finished label in a single pass
The requirements of the label market are changing, with demand growing for more and more short runs and personalized or versioned labels. Reason enough for the Austrian company Insignis-Etiketten to establish a new business unit that has been offering new applications in digital printing since spring of this year with the Gallus Labelfire 340. “Flexo printing, screen printing, coating, and inkjet are brought together perfectly in this system, enabling us to produce a fully embellished and diecut label,” says CEO Ferdinand Hager. This means that faster production with less waste is possible during digital printing of embellished labels. Insignis produces labels for the food and beverage, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and industry market segments.
Since its introduction, over 20 Gallus Labelfire 340 have already been sold. Customers have a high opinion of this machine, which combines the latest digital printing technologies with the benefits of conventional press and postpress technology.
The new Gallus Smartfire was presented to the market for this first time at this year’s Gallus Innovation Days. The entry-level model for digital label printing produces a fully diecut label, ready to ship on a roll, in a single pass. The visitors were impressed and the Smartfire immediately found buyers in Switzerland and Poland.
Label printing booming in Asia
Asia is a big market for conventional Gallus machines. For example, the label printer Fine Webtech Label Solution System in South Korea installed its fourth Gallus EM 430 S this year. Fine Webtech is a leader in label production for the household, personal care, cosmetics, and industry market segments. Its regular customers include brands like LG, Samsung and Amorepacific. “The Gallus machines have increased our productivity and flexibility, and enabled us to expand our range of substrates,” explains vice president Sunghwan Jang. “With the Gallus machines, we are competitive and can offer our customers the highest quality with the shortest delivery times.”
The Indian company Sonic Labels in Mumbai decided on a Gallus ECS 340. Founded seven years ago, the label printer serves the household, cosmetics, and industry market segments. “We want to offer our customers high-quality labels at low prices, with delivery within 48 hours. The Gallus ECS 340 lets us do this,” says Aditya Ojha, head of marketing and design. The Gallus ECS 340 has been the most successful and highest selling label printing press in its class since its introduction in 2009. Nearly 500 machines have been sold worldwide.
