Labelexpo Europe 2025 review: Dies and tooling

The tooling technology displayed at Labelexpo Europe 2025 demonstrated how the industry is simplifying operations for a younger, tech-savvy workforce and focusing on precision and processes that reduce waste.  

AUTOMATION  

At this year’s show, automation took center stage in tooling to make operations more intuitive and accessible to a new generation of press operators, making the print process less of a craft and more of a standardized process.  

‘Our goal is to make machines that require less operator intervention,’ says Pol Estrada, CEO of Tecnocut. ‘Ten years ago, machines were highly mechanical and demanded deep technical knowledge. Today, even a beginner-level operator can run advanced equipment and achieve excellent results.’  

Ease of use has become a design priority. ‘Most of our products were mechanical in the beginning, but now they’re digital. They’re far more user-friendly, easy to operate and understand, much like a mobile phone. Once you start using it, you immediately know how it works. That’s exactly the idea behind our design approach.  

‘In the past, the operator’s skill defined the output. Now, with cutting-edge automation, the machine plays the leading role, and in the future, one operator may be able to run multiple machines at once,’ Estrada adds.  

Similarly, Maxcess emphasized the importance of intuitive interfaces and smart systems as it adapts to a generational shift in the workforce. Keith Laakko, global vice president of marketing and business development at Maxcess, says: ‘One of the biggest changes we’re seeing is the retirement of highly experienced professionals, people with 30 years of craftsmanship in labels and printing. They’re being replaced by a younger, more tech-savvy generation. That means we have to develop products that align with this new mindset.’  

Under the RotoMetrics brand, the company showed the EcoPrint Print Cylinder, Longest Running Flexible Dies, the RotoScan Adjustable Anvil, featuring proactive die strike monitoring with AI enhancements; and the RD Scorer HP, a high-performance scorer for film and paper applications. Maxcess also promoted SmartSlit, operator-safe automated narrow web slitting system, and RD AutoScore, an automated back-scoring system.  

WASTE REDUCTION  

Sustainability continues to drive innovation in tooling as well. Maxcess is extending product lifecycles of its products through repair and refurbishment programs available in Europe, the US and Asia.  

‘We’re helping customers reduce waste and scrap by repairing and refurbishing existing tooling rather than replacing it. It extends product life, reduces costs and supports environmental goals,’ Laakko says.  

Kocher + Beck underscored its sustainability focus through new anti-stick coatings for flexible dies that meet environmental standards and its TecScreen processing unit now features a water recycling system.  

Other products showcased were GapMaster EM interactively alongside the new Variable Gap System. The company also promoted the new, Industry 4.0-ready digital KMS Pressure Gauge System, and its latest motorized version.  

Similarly, Westland Group showcased the Eco Sleeve, developed by its subsidiary Ligum. Designed for multiple reuses, these ultra-thin sleeves reduce material consumption and energy use, extending the product’s life while minimizing waste.  

Today, even a beginner-level operator can run advanced equipment and achieve excellent results

The trend toward lighter, more efficient components is gaining momentum. Rotometal reported strong growth in its aluminum lightweight cylinders, particularly in the UK.  

‘Most competitors only offer stainless steel, which is heavy and increases manual handling and freight costs. The demand for lighter options has grown massively,’ says Lee Hadley, regional sales manager, UK and Ireland at Rotometal.  

‘We are also seeing strong growth in hybrid and digital printing trends in the UK, along with a shift toward wider web machines. We are adapting by offering tooling for both narrow and wide web applications,’ Hadley adds.  

SPECIAL EFFECTS AND PRECISION  

The drive for higher-quality and more tactile print finishes was evident across several exhibitors. Acme Rolltech presented its Advanced Channel Engravings (ACE) technology, combining tonal printing benefits with high-density channel engraving. Its specialty aniloxes such as ATAC for raised effects, AHDW for opaque whites, AGLT for glitter and ATXR for texture offer decorative effects.  

Sandeep Sharma, director of Acme Rolltech, says: ‘At Labelexpo Europe, visitors were impressed by the embellishment anilox samples first introduced in India. People couldn’t believe these effects were achieved on anilox rolls. With the third machine coming in, we will push these capabilities even further. By Labelexpo India 2026, it will be a completely new level.’  

Cheshire Anilox Technology also demonstrated TactiLoX for high-build tactile finishes and easyFlo HD for high opacity whites in a single pass.  

Precision and performance stability were also a focus. Kocher + Beck’s GapMaster EM (Electronic Move) and Variable Gap System offer high control, while the company’s digital KMS Pressure Gauge System delivers higher stability and Industry 4.0 readiness.  

The new Quick-Change die-cutting station enables magnetic cylinders to be pre-mounted during an ongoing job, significantly reducing changeover times.