Label Costs Are Changing: What It Means for Your Business

If your label pricing has been creeping up lately… you’re not crazy. ?

The label industry is getting hit from all sides right now:

• Raw materials (paper, film, adhesives) ↑
• Energy + fuel costs ↑
• Freight still unpredictable ?
• Labor costs rising
• Demand not slowing down

Translation? This is the new normal.

Here’s the shift most companies need to make:

? Labels are no longer just a “reorder item”
? They’re a strategic cost driver

The companies staying ahead right now are doing a few things differently:

✔️ Locking in pricing before increases hit
✔️ Running “run & hold” programs to control cost + supply
✔️ Standardizing specs (less chaos = better pricing)
✔️ Evaluating materials/adhesives instead of defaulting
✔️ Focusing on cost per successful application (not just price per roll)

Because let’s be honest…

A “cheap” label that:

• jams printers
• falls off
• causes rework

…is the most expensive label you’ll ever buy.

? Looking ahead:
RFID is growing
Sustainability is pushing linerless options
GS1 Sunrise 2027 is going to change labeling completely

This space is getting more technical - and more important - fast.

Bottom line:
If you’re only reacting to price increases, you’re already behind.

If you’re planning ahead?
You’re protecting margin AND operations.

If you’re not sure where you stand, I’m always happy to take a look and give you a straight answer.