BOBST: How to Select the Right Label Press for Business
Selecting the right press in a quickly expanding label printing market is a critical business decision that can determine future success. According to India-based market intelligence and consulting services firm Future Market Insights (FMI), the global labels market is projected to reach a value of $121.5 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 4.7%.
With such significant growth projections, positioning the converting business with the right equipment is essential to capitalise on emerging opportunities. This expansion is being driven by several key factors. Consumer demand for product information is elevating label requirements, with increased health consciousness pushing brands to provide more detailed, transparent information. Additionally, there’s a growing need for product traceability in various industries, particularly food and pharmaceuticals, further fuelling demand for sophisticated labelling solutions.
Understanding Business DNA
No two label printer converters are identical – each has unique capabilities, market advantages, and specific customer demands that shape their production requirements. Before investing in a new press, take time to analyse what makes a business unique.
Be it short-run speciality labels with high embellishment the target, or excellence in high-volume, standardised production, the existing workflow, technical expertise, and market position should all influence the selection of the equipment.
Customer base is equally important. Brand owners increasingly demand shorter runs, quicker turnarounds, and greater versatility, but the specifics vary greatly between sectors. FMI reports that the food industry dominates the labels market with a share above 28%, highlighting the importance of understanding sector-specific requirements. Pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and e-commerce each have distinct labelling needs that may influence the choices in technology.
The BOBST label press portfolio
BOBST offers a comprehensive range of label and packaging press technologies designed to match diverse converter needs across the entire production spectrum. While some platforms are built specifically for label production, others, like CI flexo, serve wider applications and can support converters expanding into adjacent markets.
Inline Flexo Options
BOBST also offers inline flexo solutions that provide flexibility and quality in equal measure. The VISION M1 includes key value-adding automation features, and the MASTER M5 and M6 models offer exceptional short-run profitability, versatility and productivity for complex label and flexible packaging applications.
An inline flexo press for a robust, proven platform for mid- to long-run jobs is ideal for high efficiency and low wastage, especially when the workflow depends on fast changeovers, versatility, and high-quality embellishment in a single pass. Inline flexo is ideal for converters looking to balance automation with operational flexibility.
All-in-One Solutions
The DIGITAL MASTER series (available in 340 mm and 510 mm widths) represents BOBST’s flagship All-in-One technology. These presses combine digital inkjet printing with conventional flexo units, embellishment, and converting, all in a single pass. With modular, upgradable architecture, they provide remarkable flexibility for converters managing varying run lengths and complex requirements.
The DIGITAL MASTER 340 is perfect for daily production needs, while the wider 510 model handles higher throughput and larger formats. Both enable converters to produce anything from one to one million labels efficiently and cost-effectively.
All-in-One solutions give maximum agility – from ultra-short to medium runs – with minimal operator intervention. Businesses serving diverse customers with variable SKUs, frequent design changes, and tight delivery windows, will find this technology of immense help to keep business’s competitive, agile and, future-ready.
CI Flexo Presses
Central Impression (CI) flexo presses like the VISION CI, EXPERT CI, and MASTER CI are primarily designed for wide web flexible packaging applications in medium to long-run production. These platforms deliver exceptional print quality, speed, and consistency, making them ideal for converters serving high-demand sectors like food, beverage, and household goods.
While not label presses by definition, CI flexo solutions can support converters looking to diversify their portfolio beyond labels and into flexible packaging, especially where high-volume, standardised production is required.
CI flexo is to be chosen for wide web flexible packaging and need for maximum throughput, precision, and process stability for long-run applications.
Making the Right Choice
When selecting your ideal press, consider key factors such as volume requirements, application diversity, changeover frequency, available expertise, growth trajectory, and sustainability goals.
With pressure-sensitive labels projected to hold a 72.5% market share by 2035 according to FMI, and digital printing technology expected to capture over 45% of the market, understanding these evolving trends is critical when making equipment investments that will serve your business for years to come.
The BOBST Vision advantage
Ultimately, the right label press isn’t simply about specifications – it’s about alignment with business goals, operational strengths, and market positioning. The BOBST technology portfolio is built around the four pillars of connectivity, digitalisation, automation, and sustainability – providing converters with the tools to meet evolving market demands efficiently.
By taking a strategic approach to this decision and leveraging BOBST’s comprehensive portfolio, one can achieve long-term success in the growing label printing industry, capturing a share of the projected $121.5 billion market opportunity by 2035.
