Registration for Labelexpo Asia 2021 is now open. The event takes place at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre in Shanghai, China, between 7-10 December 2021.

“Labelexpo Asia will be the largest exhibition for the label and package printing industries held anywhere in the world this year and will be a must-visit for printers wanting to see what suppliers have been developing since before the global pandemic,” said Labelexpo event director Kevin Liu. 

“With global vaccination programs continuing at a rapid rate, we look forward to welcoming label and package printers. This will be the only Labelexpo show this year and we know there is a huge appetite to see machinery in action again and to network safely with industry friends and contacts.”

Key technology trends on view at Labelexpo Asia 2021 include digital and hybrid printing, wider web flexo/offset for both labels and flexible packaging, and sustainable materials. 

Exhibitors focused on digital and hybrid include Xeikon and Spande, while Zhongte, Weigang and Hongsheng will bring new mid-web flexo/offset presses targeted both at label printers looking to move into flexible packaging, and flexible packaging printers making the move from gravure to flexo/offset.

With the global pandemic driving printers to invest heavily in automation, Labelexpo Asia will include a special ‘Print Automation 4.0’ feature area and learning hub on the show floor, with regular interactive demonstrations throughout the show.

Learning and networking opportunities begin the day before the show when Labelexpo Asia 2021 and the China Packaging Federation (CPF) will jointly organize a Summit on label and package printing trends and technologies. A detailed agenda will be available shortly.

Three masterclasses

Also running alongside Labelexpo Asia 2021 will be three masterclasses. The Label Academy will present a masterclass on self-adhesive label materials on the morning of 8 December; and on inks, Coatings and Varnishes on the afternoon of 9 December. A series of masterclasses on New Prepress technologies, co-organized with the Shanghai Publishing and Printing College, will take place between 5-7 December. 

Lisa Milburn, managing director of Tarsus Labels, Packaging and Brand Print Group, said, “We are very happy to announce the opening of registration for Labelexpo Asia 2021. With the cancellation of so many printing shows over the last two years, label and package printers have not had the possibility to see at first hand the exciting technology which leading industry suppliers have been busily developing. Labelexpo Asia 2021 now provides that opportunity.”