Outlook and Review of the Label Industry in 2017 and 2016

In the upcoming year of 2017, the label industry is facing unprecedented opportunities and challenges. As an important medium connecting products and consumers, labels are not only carriers of information, but also an important component of brand image. This article will analyze the industry development in 2016 and explore the development trends and potential challenges in 2017. In 2016, technological innovation led market upgrading. With the rapid development of IoT engineering, big data analysis, and intelligent printing technology, traditional labels are gradually moving towards intelligence. For example, the application range of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags is constantly expanding, which not only improves the efficiency of supply chain management, but also provides retailers with more precise inventory control measures. In addition, the popularization of digital printing technology has made personalized customization possible, meeting the diverse needs of different customers for labels. Environmental awareness promotes sustainable development. With the increase of global environmental awareness, the concept of green packaging has deeply rooted in people’s hearts. Many companies are starting to use environmentally friendly materials to make labels, such as biodegradable plastics, paper materials, etc. At the same time, the use of water-based inks and solvent-free adhesives greatly reduces the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), meeting increasingly stringent environmental standards. The rapid growth of emerging markets in China, India, and other Southeast Asian countries has driven the rapid expansion of these regional label markets. Among these emerging markets, the growth of consumer goods is particularly significant, driving the demand for labels in related fields. At the same time, due to lower labor costs, label manufacturing companies in these regions have strong competitiveness in the international market. Looking ahead to the acceleration of digital transformation in 2017, digitalization will continue to dominate the industry’s transformation in the coming year. More and more enterprises will invest in digital management systems to improve operational efficiency and response speed. At the same time, the combination of mobile payment and QR code technology will further promote the interactive experience of consumers, achieving a transformation from “shelf sales” to “scene marketing”. The perfect integration of functionality and aesthetics not only serves as a basic identification function, but tags will also undertake more interactive functions. For example, by incorporating touch sensing or near-field communication (NFC) technology, consumers can obtain detailed product information and even participate in online activities. Meanwhile, design innovation will also become a key factor in market competition, and unique and attractive exterior designs can effectively enhance brand recognition. The trend of global integration is evident. With the deepening of global economic integration, cross-border cooperation will become the norm. Label production enterprises need to have a global perspective, understand the regulations and cultural differences of different countries and regions, and provide more localized and high value-added services. At the same time, the development of cross-border e-commerce will also bring new business opportunities, and how to quickly adapt to changes in market demand will be the key to success. The importance of security and anti-counterfeiting technology is highlighted. With the increasingly serious problem of counterfeit goods, security and anti-counterfeiting technology will play an important role in protecting brand rights. Advanced anti-counterfeiting technologies such as holograms, laser engraving, invisible ink, etc. will be widely applied to ensure the security and transparency of the product supply chain. 2017 is a year full of opportunities and challenges for the label industry. Only by keeping up with the pace of technological progress and social development, continuously improving product quality and service level, can we stand invincible in this fiercely competitive market.