In 2024, we saw a shift in labels and packaging. Key challenges such as labour shortages, rising energy costs, waste, and idle machines came into focus. However, at drupa 2024, the industry’s transformation – foreseen by HP more than two decades ago – became clear. Our vision for intelligent automation, as revealed at drupa, will guide the industry for decades to come and HP remains committed to supporting converters on their digitalisation journey.
Industry factors driving change
Alongside this clear vision for the future are some significant developments across the industry. Inventories are down, inflation has eased, and optimism is cautiously returning. Market consolidation continues across all industry segments. Over the next few years, packaging will embrace automated job management and pre-press, dynamic job batching and scheduling combined with flexible pricing.
There is also a strong focus on data collection and processing, powered by AI, to help printers execute faster. Multi-site operation will require software and workflow standardisation.
And, of course, sustainability remains critical. Converters are prioritising low-energy and waste-reducing production lines. Digitalised workflows will measure and cut CO2 emissions while still enabling shorter runs and faster turnarounds.
Brand owners’ dynamic requirements are driving the need for fully integrated and standardised printing equipment, connected with global MIS solutions and ERP systems. Additionally, as consumers and brands seek more than just information from labels and packaging, security and track-and-trace capabilities are becoming essential.
Labels: The adoption of digital printing, reaching more than 10 per cent of the pressure sensitive label volume, will intensify. The HP Indigo technology quality – now available up to 120 m/min on the HP Indigo V12 – offers the most complete and proven printing portfolio.
As printing is not enough, HP presses are developed to operate within the largest community of printing solution partners such as ESKO, Hybrid Software, CERM, Label Traxx, ABG, and Infigo. With these partners and more, HP guarantees the highest level of automation across the largest range of substrates. Today, more than 1,800 presses are the go-to digital technology for brand owners.
Flexible packaging: Digital adoption is still at an early stage and accounts for less than 1 per cent of the sector. HP Indigo started the journey of digitally printed flexible packaging 10 years ago. We ended 2024 with 400 HP Indigo 25K and 200K digital presses installed. Digitally printed flexible packaging is the fastest growing segment in print, with a growth rate in 2024 of above 20 per cent. This trend will continue as more conventional flexible packaging converters require more agile production capabilities.
The HP Indigo 200K helps converters to deliver non-minimum quantities in a very short time across a breadth of products, which are becoming more and more popular. The complete HP Indigo solution also helps to reduce converters’ overall carbon footprint by reducing waste in setups.
Folding carton and corrugated: The HP portfolio, which combines HP Indigo LEP and inkjet technologies, is addressing similar converter painpoints. The ‘fibre-based’ printing sector is not only facing the growing demand for short-runs, but also a tremendous pressure on substrates and energy costs.
Globally, digital adoption has been lower than initially anticipated; however, 2024 showed positive signs, especially during drupa. Pre-print adoption remains higher than post-print and folding carton remains of high interest.
In an industry where substrates represent most of the total costs, digital printing is critical. The recently announced HP PageWide T700 streamlines processes, improves productivity, and helps reduce costs for digital single-face lamination, corrugation, and folding carton applications.
With more than 100 HP Indigo presses installed in folding carton and the most complete line-up of pre-print and post-print water-based corrugated presses – HP PageWide T400, T700, T1195, C550 – HP provides proven printing technologies and solutions to increase flexibility, enhancing profitability of the entire production floor.
Unlocking profitable growth
2024 was a turning point for the industry. drupa demonstrated digital printing is core to the labels and packaging industry. HP Inkjet and Indigo LEP are driving the shift to fully automated, lights-out production sites where machines, software, and robots will take care of the entire production workflow.
Across labels and packaging and beyond printing technologies, new services are emerging to accelerate customer growth. In 2024, HP began testing AI capabilities to expand the functionality of its xRServices, with a full roll out expected this year. HP’s AI-enhanced mixed-reality service environment will elevate the entire customer journey, streamlining ramp-up, production, diagnostics, issue resolution, and system availability to maximise overall performance.
The key to this future lies in seamlessly integrating machines, software, and robots with partners under cloud-based workflows. Some may think, ‘that’s impossible for my shop’, but the challenges ahead demand more intelligence, and step by step, with HP, it will happen. Together, we will unlock profitable growth.
This article first appeared in the February issue of ProPrint magazine. Read the original article here.
Comment below to have your say on this story.
If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.
Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter
