Digital print is already an established technology in label printing. Labels proved to be a fertile ground for digital print due to a smaller format than other package printing, a higher portion of shorter runs than in other packaging markets and a substrate that is generally easier to handle.

Pressure-sensitive labels can be produced by almost any digital printer. However, feeding by sheet is time-consuming, the substrate choice is limited and further processing is more complicated. Despite the ongoing investments in label presses, the total share of all pressure-sensitive labels printed digitally is still relatively small, amounting to just over 6% of all prints.

There is no shortage of dedicated label printing press vendors. More than 30 players offer label printers, often with multiple models in the line-up. Compared to other packaging markets this choice can get bewildering.