Labels. Profits. Possibilities.

Introduction

If you're a digital printer wondering what comes next—this is it.

The world is no longer just about business cards, brochures, and flyers. It’s about brands, packaging, and storytelling—and labels are right at the heart of it all.

As global demand for shorter runs, custom packaging, and fast turnaround explodes, one print segment is stealing the spotlight: digital label printing.

For years, label production was the domain of large flexo houses. Not anymore. Today, with the right digital technology, you can print stunning, high-value labels—on demand, with minimal setup, and without breaking the bank. And guess what? Your current digital press operators can run it. No flexo veterans needed.

In this blog, you'll discover how:

• The digital label market is booming with real, bankable opportunities.

• Labels differ by industry—and how that opens up niche plays.

• Inkjet (yes, we’ll explain why) is your best bet for starting strong.

• You don’t need expensive inline embellishment gear to begin.

• You can finally move from “printer-for-hire” to value-added label partner.

Ready to go beyond pages and into packaging? Let’s dive in.

The Label Printing Boom: Big Opportunity, Small Risk

The global label printing market is worth $49.2 billion and growing at 6.7% CAGR (source).

Even better? Digital label printing is outpacing flexo, growing at over 13% annually (source).

Why? Because the world needs:

• Shorter runs

• Variable data

• Faster turnarounds

• Personalized packaging

Flexo just can’t keep up with all that. But digital? It was built for this. And in developing markets, where budgets are tight and agility matters, digital is a dream come true.

Digital vs. Flexo: Who Wins Where?

Flexo is amazing—for high volumes and standardized jobs. It supports:

• A wide variety of substrates

• Inline embellishments

• High-speed long runs

But here’s the catch: it needs plates, skilled operators, longer setup times, and high order quantities to be cost-effective.

Digital printing, on the other hand:

• Requires no plates or setup costs

• Delivers quick changeovers and variable content

• Supports short to medium runs with profitability

• Can be run by your existing commercial digital team

Result? Digital dominates in flexibility, speed, and total cost of ownership for dynamic label work.

Know Your Customer: Who Uses Digital Labels?

If you thought labels were only for big brands, think again.

Digital labels are being used by:

• Startups and home-grown product brands

• D2C (direct-to-consumer) sellers

• Boutique and export businesses

• Pharmacies and nutraceutical companies

• E-commerce packaging vendors

These customers want:

• Low quantity, high quality

• Quick revisions

• Unique branding

And they’re willing to pay more per label for the value digital brings. These are the customers you already serve in commercial print—now it's time to serve them better with labels.

Label Types by Industry: What’s Out There?

Not all labels are created equal. Different industries demand different looks, finishes, and performance.

Understanding this helps you decide:

• Which market(s) to target

• What substrates and finishes you’ll need

• What post-press equipment is worth investing in

Understanding Your Tech Options

So what kind of digital label presses are out there? Let’s break them down:

Inkjet

• High image quality

• UV or water-based inks

• Great for textured, metallic, and synthetic substrates

• Lower long-term running costs

• Most versatile and scalable

Dry Toner (Powder)

• Good for fine text and CMYK accuracy

• Limited substrate options (needs pre-coated)

• Less suitable for embellishments

Liquid Toner

• Offset-quality reproduction

• Complex and expensive

• High maintenance, limited supplier ecosystem

Our take? Inkjet wins hands down for commercial printers making their move into labels.

What You Need (and What You Don’t)

You do NOT need to invest in:

• Expensive inline varnishers

• Complex embellishment lines

• High-speed flexo-finishing

Instead, start with the core and build smart:

• A digital label press with CMYK + White (White expands your customer base by 30-40% instantly! Think clear and metallic substrates.)

• Offline embellishment: cold foil, spot UV, lamination

• Basic slitter-rewinder to finish rolls

You can scale up later—for now, get in the game.

Common Challenges (And How to Beat Them)

• Substrate access: Partner with regional label stock suppliers or import basics in bulk.

• Customer education: Show clients samples of embellished and short-run labels.

• Color matching: Use good RIP software and ICC profiling.

• Volume fear: Many clients don’t need 50,000 labels. They need 500—1000. Be their go-to guy.

Why This Move Makes Total Sense

Here’s the truth:

• Digital label printing is growing faster than commercial printing.

• Label customers need faster service, smaller batches, and more versions.

• You already have the infrastructure and the talent—no need to retrain.

• You don’t need a flexo expert. You need vision.

Digital labels let you move from being a job taker to a solution provider. And when you do that? You print less, earn more, and grow faster.

Final Word

Labels. Profits. Possibilities. They’re waiting. Let’s go.

Sources

• Label Printing Market Report - Globe Newswire

• Packaging Strategies - Digital Label Market Share

• Label & Narrow Web - Inkjet vs Toner

• Codico Blog - Comparing Technologies

• Focus Label - Total Cost of Ownership

• Team DLS Blog - Digital Label Basics

• UPM Raflatac - Label Applications

• Printing News - Importance of White Ink