Trends in Packaging and Labels: A Look into 2024
The year 2024 has already begun, bringing with it not just a new calendar, but a new era of innovation and creative challenges in the world of production. In this blog, we will explore trends that will shape the dynamic world of packaging and labels, from the perspective of brands and consumer expectations. As a manufacturer of self-adhesive labels with a long tradition, we find ourselves at the heart of the brand creation chain, where product meets design, and printing becomes an art that unites them. We meet and talk equally with manufacturers and designers, and such a unique position allows us to witness upcoming trends, aligning challenges and desires, creative ideas with legal norms, and through technology, we turn imagination into reality. Here is what awaits us in 2024:
1. Sustainable Packaging: A Necessity and Duty for All of Us
In an era where ecology and sustainability are imperative, we are witnessing consumers not only recognizing but also actively seeking products that reflect this consciousness. The sustainability challenge is faced by everyone in the production and packaging chain, including manufacturers, designers, printers, and distributors. The use of biodegradable, compostable, recycled, recyclable, and natural materials, as well as packaging that can be reused (refill), and simplicity of design, are becoming increasingly important. Such packaging, and consequently the labels, are not only more environmentally friendly but also establish a stronger connection with consumers, thereby adding extra value to the products. Sustainability is not just a fleeting trend; it is a key factor that will continue to grow unstoppably in 2024 and years to come.
Label for Šuran Wines. Themed, designed, and made with materials dedicated to biodiversity and sustainability. Design – Studio Tumpić/Prenc. Photo – Dejan Hren
2. Smart Labels: A Window into the Digital World
The digitization and connection of the real product and the online world is not new, but in the recent years there has been an increase in this trend, both due to the pandemic and due to new technological possibilities and AI, and in our markets – thanks to new regulations. Smart labels are not just a trend, but an evolution in the way brands communicate with consumers. A simple scan of a QR code opens a new world of information; the manufacturer now has the opportunity to tell a story in a completely new, expanded way, and the consumer is offered the possibility of an interactive experience and getting to know the product. These labels not only maintain the aesthetic integrity of the product but also provide a window into authenticity, origin, and history, becoming a key tool in the hands of brands striving for transparency. Laws and regulations follow suit, so wines have been covered by product labeling regulations since December 2023, which allow nutritional declarations and detailed information to be displayed via a QR code on the label, and it is expected that spirits and similar will soon follow. Smart labels are here to stay.
3. Charting New Territories in Design: Infinite Creativity
The year 2024 is set to be a stage for a diverse array of design trends. Long-reigning minimalism, with its “less is more” mantra is still on the throne (particularly pertinent when considering sustainability, but now joined by the retro and vintage styles that evoke nostalgia. These styles are versatile, suitable for a wide range of products from luxury wines to popular cosmetics. It is important to stand out amidst a plethora of different products, so designers in 2024 will love intense colors and typography with character. The goal is to engage consumers in various and innovative ways, leading to a rise in the popularity of labels that tantalize the senses. These labels feature varied textures, functionalities, and shapes, and often combine multiple layers of materials, while some opt for the understated elegance of the no-label look. Designs that draw upon tradition, local history, and culture also hold a cherished place in the hearts of both designers and consumers. The preceding year was notably influenced by “artificial intelligence”, and as such, AI-driven design is expected to have a particularly prominent role in 2024, underscoring the limitless nature of creativity. Although there are numerous design trends, they share one common thread: a level of creativity that is entirely novel.
Label for Piquentum Wines. Circles, standard meteorological rain symbols, display the amount of precipitation in each month. Such a label required innovative technical development, and we were awarded gold at the Fedrigoni Top Award 2017 for its execution. Design: Studio Sonda.
4. 4. Technology: A Faithful Ally of Design
In the world of luxury labels, the debate about the quality of printing techniques is already behind us, as they are mostly printed in offset and digital printing of high quality anyway. The industry’s focus has shifted to innovative use of established technologies for design and outstanding product differentiation purposes. The demand for original and creative printing solutions has never been higher, requiring exceptional skill and mastery in printing. With that in mind, we are noticing the rise of the trend of combining different, sometimes incompatible materials, resulting in labels that offer unique tactile experiences. Innovations include the use of multiple materials on the same label, the integration of additional elements into the label design, and the production of multi-layer labels that provide a more complex visual and haptic experience. These techniques contribute both to the aesthetics and the functionality of labels, thus providing additional value to the product. On the other hand, the importance of fast and efficient, yet high-quality label production, comes to the fore with small brands and those with a large number of different SKUs. In this context, digital printing and automation of processes (from preparation to printing to quality control) become key factors.
