Visitors to Labelexpo Europe 2025 can expect to see press technology reaching new levels of performance across conventional, digital and hybrid configurations, along with tighter integration with digital workflows.
Importantly, from this year, Labelexpo is officially adding folding carton and flexible packaging print and converting to the show, focused on inline flexo and offset and digital press technology.
This convergence of printing technologies between labels, flexible packaging and folding cartons is matched by a growing interest in all three technologies from visitors to Labelexpo. Visitor registrations for Labelexpo Europe 2023 showed 25 percent of all show visitors marking an interest in folding cartons and 40 percent in flexible packaging.
Flexo trends
Nowhere is this convergence between print technologies and new package printing applications more apparent than in flexography. The show builds on the trend towards wider ‘mid-web’ press widths between 26-30ins (670-850mm). This wider format size is optimized for cost-effective printing of shrink sleeves, in-mold labels, wraparound labels, flexible packaging and lightweight folding cartons. Examples of mid-web presses at Labelexpo Europe 2025 include the Omet X7, Mark Andy Performance Series S9, Lombardi Invicta i1, Spande AC and Nilpeter FA-26. Bobst and MPS promote their mid-web technology, although without a press on the show floor.
Flexography has seen astonishing advances in automation both in mid-web and narrow-web formats. Advanced narrow web flexo presses at the show include the Nilpeter FA-17, Spande S7, the launch of Lombardi’s new Synchroline, and presses from Bengraphic, Label Source (showing a machine configured for non-stop operation), Label King, Hontec, Multitec, Zonten and Weigang. Modularity is another key narrow web flexo press concept, allowing the rapid exchange of plug-and-play print and converting units. Flexo presses are also being integrated into digital networks, both for real-time machine monitoring and for use as training and optimization tools.
Hybrid presses
A range of hybrid flexo + UV inkjet press configurations can be explored at Labelexpo Europe 2025. Hybrid presses can make use of an almost unlimited combination of digital and conventional print, decoration, and converting units. An example on the show floor is the 9-color 420mm-wide Durst KJET, incorporating the company’s LED-UV inkjet print engine, four flexo units, two multi-purpose lamination units, turn-bar and semi-rotary die-cut. Other hybrid presses at the show include Mark Andy DSHD HighSpeed 1200, printing 1200DPI at a record-breaking 146 m/min (480 ft/min), Label Source, Zonten and Lombardi.
Arrow Systems brings a hybrid water-based inkjet press to the show, with its Memjet-based ArrowJet Bolt Hybrid Pro M incorporating inline priming and varnishing at speeds up to 150m/min. Gallus is keeping its new technology launch under wraps until the show, but it is expected to be built around its ‘System to Compose’ hybrid technology combining the Gallus One digital press and Labelmaster flexo platform. Bobst promotes its latest hybrid technology at the show. Another way to ‘Hybridize’ a flexo press is to add press-wide print bars, either for White, spot colors or for jetting cold foil adhesives and varnishes for textured effects. Among the print bars demonstrated at Labelexpo Europe 2025 are the Domino K600i and Jetron PB400, a newly launched unit with print speeds up to 75m/min. Fujifilm launches a digital metalization module built around its Samba 42k printbar integrated with am Actega Ecoleaf unit.
CI technology
Although there are no CI flexo presses on the show floor at Labelexpo Europe 2025, several CI suppliers have booths at the show to promote their presses to label converters looking to scale up their production of filmic labels and flexible packaging. Giave is claiming a breakthrough technology with its Gialux LED-UV CI press, which has a more compact footprint because it does not require a drying tunnel. Comexi promotes the latest upgrade to its established F4 Origin CI press.
Offset trends
Intermittent/semi-rotary is the most common offset technology on show at Labelexpo Europe 2025. This technology has remained remarkably resilient in short-run high-value markets such as wine labels. Companies showing equipment at the show include Miyakoshi, Weigang, Zonten and Wanjie. Rotary offset is also represented at Labelexpo Europe 2025, with Rotatek showing a print module from its redesigned Universal 850 rotary offset press. The company promises more information about the relaunch of the Brava semi-rotary press and work on AI modeling of ink-water balance. Comexi, meanwhile, promotes the latest version of its unique offset CI Evolution technology.
We should not forget sheetfed offset technology. Heidelberg will be heavily promoting the latest automation and inline coating and foiling technologies and post-processing systems for its Speedmaster press programs dedicated to wet glue and in-mold labels.
Folding cartons
For folding cartons, inline flexography and rotary offset represent a disruptive alternative to the multi-stage sheetfed offset process which dominates the highly consolidated industrial folding carton industry. The ability to produce a finished carton from the reel and to add multiple decoration and reverse printing steps inline is a true game-changer. Canon will demonstrate the Edale CartonLine UV flexo press at the show, configured with turnbar cold foil, lamination and flatbed die cutting.
Digital press technology
Key digital trends at Labelexpo Europe 2025 include faster and higher resolution presses, a growing presence of water-based inkjet and a continued move towards LED-UV curing. Looking at new launches, HP Indigo introduces the 6K+ digital press, incorporating the new SmartControlSystem, which combines AI-powered tools and press self-monitoring to increase machine uptime. This is shown alongside the high-speed HP Indigo V12.Xeikon showcases its TX500 running live demonstrations with in-line metallization from Kurz. This is also the Labelexpo debut of Xeikon’s PX3300HD high-definition Panther inkjet press. Durst is keeping the details of its new press launch under wraps until the show, describing it as a ‘compact, scalable’ 8-color LED-UV press.
Konica Minolta presents the prototype of a new AccurioLabel press with an added IQ unit for in-line quality control. Canon showcases its UVgel Factory for Labels, featuring the wide format Colorado M-series, Fotoba Jumbo Roll JRL 17 and Colex flatbed cutting table for automated roll printing and digital finishing of kiss-cut self-adhesives and labels. Waterbased inkjet presses are carving a niche particularly in food and other migration-sensitive applications. Epson marks the commercial launch of its SurePress L-5034, operating at 13.5 m/min, while Canon promotes the LabelStream LS2000 CMYK+W water-based press. Arrow Systems’ new Memjet-based ArrowJet Bolt Hybrid Pro M includes inline priming and varnishing, operating at up to 150m/min.
Among other digital press introductions, Dantex show its new entry-level PicoColour UV inkjet press alongside the established PicoJet; AstroNova launches the QL-435 1,200 DPI digital press targeted at mid-to longer runs; Dilli shows its flagship Neo Picasso Plus UV inkjet press running with a jumbo winder for longer runs; Jetron demonstrates its D2Roll LB3550 UV inkjet press incorporating digital embossing and opaque white. Domino shows its latest N730i digital press built with parent Brother’s 1200DPI Bitstar printheads, along with the established N610i.Screen Europe launches its Truepress Label 350UV SAI-S with an inline primer unit to improve ink adhesion, reduces graininess, and allows for creative texture effects. Another interesting launch is Epson’s D3000 UV-UIR PrecisionCore printhead, capable of imaging at 1,200 DPI.
Conclusion
Labelexpo Europe 2025 presents label and package print converters with a stunning range of technology options capable of transforming the future direction of their business operations. Automation, the ongoing incorporation of AI, wider, faster, higher resolution, more versatile and capable of being incorporated into wider automation networks. Exciting times indeed!