The Future of Labels and Release Liners to 2030

• In 2025, the labels and release liners market is projected to be worth $47,170 million and is forecast to reach $56,351 million by 2030
• The labels and release liners market can expect a CAGR of 3.6% between 2025 and 2030 

The market for labels and the release liners that are widely used in their construction is influenced by a broad range of demand and supply factors. These influence overall demand for labels and help determine the type of labels that are manufactured and used. Packaging volume and sustainability are key drivers in the labels and release liners sector.

The focus of this study is physical labels, including paper, film, and ink labels, that are designed to be attached to a product or package. There are many types of label with selection of a particular variant dependent on a broad range of factors including the characteristics of the package, the material from which it is constructed, the intended use and its suitability for recycling. The report also covers emerging electronics and systems that are provided to enhance and extend label functionality.

Key questions

• How are current regulations impacting the development of the labels and release liner market?
• Are growth rates shifting and what implications does this have on the label printing processes?
• How will digital and analogue processes fair develop over the next 5 years in label printing? 
• Where is the drive for sustainability affecting label printing and how will this interact with other growth factors?

This report is essential to

• Packaging converters and print service providers 
• Printer manufacturers 
• Ink and label substrate suppliers 

About the author 

Jon Harper Smith has over 15 years’ experience in the printing industry through his time working with Fujifilm and has extensive experience of industrial and package printing businesses with particular focus on industrial inkjet and flexo processes. He has a proven ability to develop complex cross border businesses involving the provision of highly technical products that meet strict end user specifications.

Executive summary

• Overview
• Key drivers and trends
• Technological developments
• Label types
• Release liners
• Label printing process
• End-use markets
• Geographic markets

Introduction & methodology

• Introduction
• Objectives
• Scope and definitions
  • Label types
  • Print processes
  • Release liner types
  • End-use sectors
  • Geographic markets
  • Data
• Methodology
  • Important terms and definitions
  • List of abbreviations
  • Exchange rates

Key drivers and trends

• Introduction
• Market drivers
  • Economic influences
• Geopolitical relations
  • The Russo–Ukrainian war
  • Brexit
• Demographic and social influences
  • Population growth
  • Age structure
• Marketplace influences
  • Consumer demands
  • Regulatory requirements
  • Urbanisation 
  • Disposable income
  • E-commerce
  • Globalisation
• Technology influences 
  • New packaging and label innovations
  • Digital printing technology
  • Flexible vs rigid packaging
  • Direct print instead of labels
  • Smart labels

Cutting-edge technology developments

• Introduction
• Smart labels 
• New label product developments
• Product for enhanced sustainability
  • Products with enhanced safety elements
• Products for enhanced label functionality
• Direct to pack printing and imaging
• Printing machinery developments

Label and release liner markets

• Introduction 
• Labels  
  • Pressure-sensitive labels
  • Pre-gummed labels
  • Shrink sleeve labels 
  • Stretch sleeve labels 
  • Wet glue labels
  • In-mould labels (IML)
• Release liners
  • Glassine, calendered kraft
  • Clay-coated kraft paper
  • Polyolefin-coated paper
  • Polymer film-based 
  • Other paper-based 

Label printing processes

• Overview
• Label markets
  • Current label manufacturing methods
  • Gravure
  • Letterpress
  • Flexography
  • Offset lithography
  • Screen
  • Digital 

End-use markets for labels

• Introduction
• Overview
• Food
  • Market trends
  • Labels consumption for food products
  • Release liner consumption for food products
• Soft drinks
  • Market trends
  • Labels consumption for soft drinks
  • Release liner consumption for soft drinks
• Alcoholic drinks
  • Market trends
  • Labels consumption for alcoholic drinks
  • Release liner consumption for alcoholic drinks
• Healthcare
  • Market trends
  • Labels consumption for healthcare
  • Release liner consumption for healthcare
• Cosmetics
  • Market trends
  • Labels consumption for cosmetics
  • Release liner consumption for cosmetics
• Other consumer goods
  • Market trends
  • Labels consumption for other consumer goods
  • Release liner consumption for other consumer goods
• Industrial/other applications
  • Industrial and other applications 
  • Logistics applications  
  • Labels consumption for industrial, logistics, and other applications 
  • Market trends 
  • Release liner consumption for industrial/other applications

Geographic markets

• Overview
• Western Europe
  • France 
  • Germany 
  • Italy 
  • Scandinavia
  • Spain 
  • UK 
  • Other Western Europe 
• Central & Eastern Europe
  • Poland 
  • Russia 
  • Other Central & Eastern Europe
• North America 
  • Canada   
  • Mexico  
  • US  
• South & Central America
  • Brazil 
  • Other South & Central America
• Asia 
  • China  
  • India 
  • Japan 
  • Other Asia 
• Other regions
  • Turkey 
  • Other countries 

List of figures

• FIGURE 0.1 Global labels consumption by type, 2024 (% area) 
• FIGURE 0.2 Global label release liner consumption by material type, 2024 (% area)
• FIGURE 0.3 Global label output by print process, 2024 (% area)
• FIGURE 0.4 Global labels consumption by end-use sector, 2024 (% area)
• FIGURE 0.5 Global labels consumption by region, 2024 (% area)

List of tables

• TABLE 1.1Exchange rates to the US dollar, 2023 (=$1)
• TABLE 2.1 Labels and release liners – summary of key market drivers 
• TABLE 2.2 GDP by region/country, 2020–30 ($ billion, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates)    13
• TABLE 2.3 GDP growth trends by region/country, 2020–30 (%, real)    14
• TABLE 2.4 Population trends by region/country, 2020–30 (millions)    15
• TABLE 4.1 Global labels consumption by type, 2020–30 (million m²)    21
• TABLE 4.2 Global labels consumption by type, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates)    21
• TABLE 4.3 Pressure-sensitive labels: consumption by region, 2020–30 (million m²)    22
• TABLE 4.4 Pressure-sensitive labels: consumption by region, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates)    22
• TABLE 4.5 Pre-gummed labels: consumption by region, 2020–30 (million m²)    23
• TABLE 4.6 Pre-gummed labels: consumption by region, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates)    23
• TABLE 4.7 Shrink sleeve labels: consumption by region, 2020–30 (million m²)    23
• TABLE 4.8 Shrink sleeve labels: consumption by region, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates)    24
• TABLE 4.9 Stretch sleeve labels: consumption by region, 2020–30 (million m²)    24
• TABLE 4.10 Stretch sleeve labels: consumption by region, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates)    25
• TABLE 4.11 Wet glue labels: consumption by region, 2020–30 (million m²)    25
• TABLE 4.12 Wet glue labels: consumption by region, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates)    26
• TABLE 4.13 In-mould labels (IML): consumption by region, 2020–30 (million m²)    26
• TABLE 4.14 In-mould labels (IML): consumption by region, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates)    26
• TABLE 4.15 Release liner consumption for labels by liner type, 2020–30 (million m²)    27
• TABLE 4.16 Release liner consumption for labels by region, 2020–30 (million m²)    27
• TABLE 4.17 Release liner consumption for labels by region, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates)    28
• TABLE 4.18 Glassine, calendered kraft release liners: consumption by region, 2020–30 (million m²)    28
• TABLE 4.19 Clay-coated kraft paper release liners: consumption by region, 2020–30 (million m²)    29
• TABLE 4.20 Polyolefin-coated paper release liners: consumption by region, 2020–30 (million m²)    29
• TABLE 4.21 Polymer film-based release liners: consumption by region, 2020–30 (million m²)    30
• TABLE 4.22 Other paper-based release liners: consumption by region, 2020–30 (million m²)    30
• TABLE 5.1 Global label output, by print process, 2020–30 (million m²)    32
• TABLE 5.2 Global label output, by region and label type, 2024 (million m²)    32
• TABLE 5.3 Global label output, by region and label type, 2030 (million m²)    33
• TABLE 5.4 Gravure: label printing output by type and by region, 2024 (million m²)    33
• TABLE 5.5 Gravure: label printing output by type and by region, 2030 (million m²)    33
• TABLE 5.6 Letterpress: label printing output by type and by region, 2024 (million m²)    34
• TABLE 5.7 Letterpress: label printing output by type and by region, 2030 (million m²)    34
• TABLE 5.8 Flexography: label printing output by type and by region, 2024 (million m²)    35
• TABLE 5.9 Flexography: label printing output by type and by region, 2030 (million m²)    35
• TABLE 5.10 Offset lithography: label printing output by type and by region, 2024 (million m²)    35
• TABLE 5.11 Offset lithography: label printing output by type and by region, 2030 (million m²)    36
• TABLE 5.12 Screen: label printing output by type and by region, 2024 (million m²)    36
• TABLE 5.13 Screen: label printing output by type and by region, 2030 (million m²)    36
• TABLE 5.14 Digital: label printing output by type and by region, 2024 (million m²)    37
• TABLE 5.15 Digital: label printing output by type and by region, 2030 (million m²)
• TABLE 6.1 Global labels consumption by end-use sector, 2020–30 (million m²)
• TABLE 6.2 Global labels consumption by end-use sector and by label type, 2024 (million m²)
• TABLE 6.3 Global labels consumption by end-use sector and by label type, 2030 (million m²)
• TABLE 6.4 Food: labels consumption by region and by label type, 2024 (million m²)
• TABLE 6.5 Food: labels consumption by region and by label type, 2030 (million m²)
• TABLE 6.6 Soft drinks: labels consumption by region and by label type, 2024 (million m²)
• TABLE 6.7 Soft drinks: labels consumption by region and by label type, 2030 (million m²) 
• TABLE 6.8 Alcoholic drinks: labels consumption by region and by label type, 2024 (million m²)
• TABLE 6.9 Alcoholic drinks: labels consumption by region and by label type, 2030 (million m²)
• TABLE 6.10 Healthcare: labels consumption by region and by label type, 2024 (million m²)
• TABLE 6.11 Healthcare: labels consumption by region and by label type, 2030 (million m²)
• TABLE 6.12 Cosmetics: labels consumption by region and by label type, 2024 (million m²)
• TABLE 6.13 Cosmetics: labels consumption by region and by label type, 2030 (million m²)
• TABLE 6.14 Other consumer goods: labels consumption by region and by label type, 2024 (million m²)
• TABLE 6.15 Other consumer goods: labels consumption by region and by label type, 2030 (million m²)
• TABLE 6.16 Industrial/other applications: labels consumption by region and by label type, 2024 (million m²)
• TABLE 6.17 Industrial/other applications: labels consumption by region and by label type, 2030 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.1 Labels consumption by region, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.2 Labels consumption by region, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates)
• TABLE 7.3 Release liner consumption for labels by region, 2020–30 (million m²)
• TABLE 7.4 Release liner consumption for labels by region, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates)
• TABLE 7.5 Western Europe: labels consumption by national market, 2020–30 (million m²)
• TABLE 7.6 Western Europe: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 (million m²)
• TABLE 7.7 Western Europe: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates) 
• TABLE 7.8 Western Europe: labels consumption by end-use market, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.9 Western Europe: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.10 France: economic & demographic trends, 2020–30
• TABLE 7.11 France: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.12 France: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates) 
• TABLE 7.13 France: labels consumption by end use sector, 2020–30 (million m²)
• TABLE 7.14 France: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.15 Germany: economic & demographic trends, 2020–30
• TABLE 7.16 Germany: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.17 Germany: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates) 
• TABLE 7.18 Germany: labels consumption by end use sector, 2020–30 (million m²)
• TABLE 7.19 Germany: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.20 Italy: economic & demographic trends, 2020–30 
• TABLE 7.21 Italy: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.22 Italy: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates)
• TABLE 7.23 Italy: labels consumption by end use sector, 2020–30 (million m²)
• TABLE 7.24 Italy: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2020–30 (million m²)
• TABLE 7.25 Scandinavia: economic & demographic trends, 2020–30 
• TABLE 7.26 Scandinavia: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.27 Scandinavia: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates) 
• TABLE 7.28 Scandinavia: labels consumption by end use sector, 2020–30 (million m²)
• TABLE 7.29 Scandinavia: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2020–30 (million m²)
• TABLE 7.30 Spain: economic & demographic trends, 2020–30 
• TABLE 7.31 Spain: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 (million m²)
• TABLE 7.32 Spain: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates) 
• TABLE 7.33 Spain: labels consumption by end use sector, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.34 Spain: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.35 UK: economic & demographic trends, 2020–30 
• TABLE 7.36 UK: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.37 UK: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates)
• TABLE 7.38 UK: labels consumption by end use sector, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.39 UK: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.40 Other Western Europe: economic & demographic trends, 2020–30 
• TABLE 7.41 Other Western Europe: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.42 Other Western Europe: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates) 
• TABLE 7.43 Other Western Europe: labels consumption by end use sector, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.44 Other Western Europe: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.45 Central & Eastern Europe: labels consumption by national market, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.46 Central & Eastern Europe: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.47 Central & Eastern Europe: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates) 
• TABLE 7.48 Central & Eastern Europe: labels consumption by end-use market, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.49 Central & Eastern Europe: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.50 Poland: economic & demographic trends, 2020–30 
• TABLE 7.51 Poland: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.52 Poland: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates)
• TABLE 7.53 Poland: labels consumption by end use sector, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.54 Poland: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2020–30 (million m²)
• TABLE 7.55 Russia: economic & demographic trends, 2020–30 
• TABLE 7.56 Russia: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.57 Russia: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates) 
• TABLE 7.58 Russia: labels consumption by end use sector, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.59 Russia: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.60 Other Central & Eastern Europe: economic & demographic trends, 2020–30 
• TABLE 7.61 Other Central & Eastern Europe: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.62 Other Central & Eastern Europe: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates) 
• TABLE 7.63 Other Central & Eastern Europe: labels consumption by end use sector, 2020–30 (million m²)
• TABLE 7.64 Other Central & Eastern Europe: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2020–30 (million m²)
• TABLE 7.65 North America: labels consumption by national market, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.66 North America: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.67 North America: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates)
• TABLE 7.68 North America: labels consumption by end-use market, 2020–30 (million m²)
• TABLE 7.69 North America: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.70 Canada: economic & demographic trends, 2020–30 
• TABLE 7.71 Canada: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.72 Canada: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates)
• TABLE 7.73 Canada: labels consumption by end use sector, 2020–30 (million m²)  
• TABLE 7.74 Canada: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2020–30 (million m²)
• TABLE 7.75 Mexico: economic & demographic trends, 2020–30 
• TABLE 7.76 Mexico: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.77 Mexico: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates) 
• TABLE 7.78 Mexico: labels consumption by end use sector, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.79 Mexico: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.80 US: economic & demographic trends, 2020–30 
• TABLE 7.81 US: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.82 US: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates) 
• TABLE 7.83 US: labels consumption by end use sector, 2020–30 (million m²)
• TABLE 7.84 US: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.85 South & Central America: labels consumption by national market, 2020–30 (million m²)
• TABLE 7.86 South & Central America: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.87 South & Central America: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates)
• TABLE 7.88 South & Central America: labels consumption by end-use market, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.89 South & Central America: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.90 Brazil: economic & demographic trends, 2020–30 
• TABLE 7.91 Brazil: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.92 Brazil: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates) 
• TABLE 7.93 Brazil: labels consumption by end use sector, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.94 Brazil: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2020–30 (million m²)
• TABLE 7.95 Other South & Central America: economic & demographic trends, 2020–30
• TABLE 7.96 Other South & Central America: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.97 Other South & Central America: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates) 
• TABLE 7.98 Other South & Central America: labels consumption by end use sector, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.99 Other South & Central America: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2020–30 (million m²)
• TABLE 7.100 Asia: labels consumption by national market, 2020–30 (million m²)
• TABLE 7.101 Asia: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.102 Asia: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates) 
• TABLE 7.103 Asia: labels consumption by end-use market, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.104 Asia: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.105 China: economic & demographic trends, 2020–30 
• TABLE 7.106 China: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.107 China: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates) 
• TABLE 7.108 China: labels consumption by end use sector, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.109 China: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.110 India: economic & demographic trends, 2020–30 
• TABLE 7.111 India: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.112 India: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates)
• TABLE 7.113 India: labels consumption by end use sector, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.114 India: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.115 Japan: economic & demographic trends, 2020–30 
• TABLE 7.116 Japan: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.117 Japan: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates) 
• TABLE 7.118 Japan: labels consumption by end use sector, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.119 Japan: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.120 Other Asia: economic & demographic trends, 2020–30 
• TABLE 7.121 Other Asia: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.122 Other Asia: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates)
• TABLE 7.123 Other Asia: labels consumption by end use sector, 2020–30 (million m²)
• TABLE 7.124 Other Asia: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2020–30 (million m²)
• TABLE 7.125 Other regions: labels consumption by national market, 2020–30 (million m²)
• TABLE 7.126 Other regions: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.127 Other regions: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates) 
• TABLE 7.128 Other regions: labels consumption by end-use market, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.129 Other regions: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.130 Turkey: economic & demographic trends, 2020–30
• TABLE 7.131 Turkey: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 (million m²)
• TABLE 7.132 Turkey: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates)
• TABLE 7.133 Turkey: labels consumption by end use sector, 2020–30 (million m²)
• TABLE 7.134 Turkey: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2020–30 (million m²)
• TABLE 7.135 Other countries: economic & demographic trends, 2020–30
• TABLE 7.136 Other countries: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 (million m²)
• TABLE 7.137 Other countries: labels consumption by label type, 2020–30 ($ million, constant 2023 prices & exchange rates) 
• TABLE 7.138 Other countries: labels consumption by end use sector, 2020–30 (million m²) 
• TABLE 7.139 Other countries: release liner consumption by base substrate, 2020–30 (million m²)