Andy Thomas: The major themes of Labelexpo Europe

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For me there were a number of big themes at this Labelexpo Europe: the maturing of digital label printing into a system to rival (and enhance!) the traditional print processes; the rapid development of conventional presses into ‘CNC-tooling’ systems embedded in digital workflows; the rapid diversification of the narrow web industry into multi-substrate packaging applications; new developments in automated pre-press, press control and quality control functions; a drive to practical sustainability. 

Taken together, we can see how the converting shop of the future might look. Over my next series of blogs, I want to look at each of these areas in more depth.

Firstly, we now have the tools to offer a range of new, value-added services to end users. Take a look at some of the 3D visualization software from EskoArtwork, not only allowing brands to trial designs before prototypes, but also to throw these concepts out to their social network followers for real-time focus groups and interactive feedback. What a fantastic service for label converters to offer! 

Andy Thomas
Group managing editor
Labels & Labeling

Andy Thomas

  • Strategic director