Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Labeling: Trends, Predictions, and Expert Insights for 2022 and Beyond

Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Labeling: Trends, Predictions, and Expert Insights for 2022 and Beyond

The world of labeling is dynamic, constantly evolving to meet the changing demands of consumers, businesses, and regulations. This article delves into the key trends shaping the labeling landscape in 2022 and beyond, drawing insights from industry experts who are shaping the future of Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC).

Unveiling the Trends: A Deep Dive into the Future of Labeling

1. The Rise of Intelligent and Connected Labels:

Labels are no longer simple identifiers. They are transforming into intelligent hubs, offering access to a wealth of information beyond the printed text. This trend is driven by several factors, including:

• Consumer Demand for Transparency: Consumers are increasingly demanding transparency and traceability in their products. They want to know where their food comes from, how it was produced, and if it's authentic.
• The Pandemic's Lasting Impact: The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened consumer concerns about product safety and authenticity.
• Evolving Regulatory Landscapes: Governments worldwide are implementing stricter regulations for product labeling, driven by concerns about safety, traceability, and sustainability.

This drive towards intelligence and connectivity is leading to the adoption of sophisticated labeling technologies, such as:

• 2D Barcodes: 2D barcodes offer a higher data density than traditional 1D barcodes, allowing them to store more information, such as batch numbers, expiration dates, and product origins. They can also be used for interactive applications, linking consumers to product websites or mobile apps.
• RFID (Radio Frequency Identification): RFID technology enables real-time tracking of products through the supply chain, offering valuable insights into inventory levels, location, and movement. RFID tags can also store additional data, such as manufacturing dates and product specifications.
• Digital Watermarking: Digital watermarks are imperceptible codes embedded into labels, providing a secure and tamper-proof method for product authentication. They can be used to verify the authenticity of products and track their journey from production to consumption.

2. Adapting to a Nimble and Resilient Supply Chain:

The pre-pandemic era favored cost-optimization in supply chains. However, the pandemic highlighted the need for agility and resilience in the face of unforeseen disruptions. Companies are now focusing on building supply chains that can adapt quickly to changing market conditions and external pressures.

Key trends driving this shift include:

• Just-in-Time Manufacturing: Just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing, a lean approach that minimizes inventory and reduces costs, has come under scrutiny due to its vulnerability to disruptions. Companies are now exploring alternative models, such as flexible manufacturing, to enhance supply chain resilience.
• Shifting Supplier Relationships: Companies are diversifying their supplier bases to mitigate risks associated with single-source dependencies.
• E-commerce Growth: The surge in e-commerce has created new challenges for labeling, as products are often shipped directly to consumers without the traditional point-of-sale interaction.

3. Embracing Automation for Enhanced Efficiency:

Automation is playing a key role in streamlining labeling processes, improving efficiency, and reducing costs. This is driven by several factors:

• Employee Safety: Automating labeling processes reduces the need for manual handling, which can be hazardous in some environments.
• Increased Efficiency and Accuracy: Automated labeling systems can print labels faster and more accurately than manual processes, minimizing errors and improving overall efficiency.
• Reduced Labor Costs: Automation can reduce the need for manual labor, leading to significant cost savings in the long run.

Experts Weigh In: Key Insights from the Leaders Shaping the Labeling Landscape

Kevin Berisso, Director of the Automatic Identification (AutoID) Laboratory at the University of Memphis

• Key Trend: The encoding of variable data is becoming crucial for serialization, extended attributes, and consumer demand for item-specific information.
• Permanent Development: The increasing importance of data, with barcodes and RFID enabling massive data processing.
• Shift in 2022: Increased use of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for data collection and extended attributes on items in packaging and distribution facilities.

Steven Keddie, Senior Director AIDC, GS1 Global Office

• Key Trend: GS1 2D barcode labeling for fresh foods, enabling traceability, freshness management, consumer food safety, recall management, and consumer engagement.
• Permanent Development: The migration to higher data capacity 2D barcode use cases, driven by the increasing capabilities of printing, scanning, and data analysis.
• Shift in 2022: The retail industry’s adoption of 2D barcodes, enhancing the experiences of consumers, brands, and retailers.

Harold Boe, President and CEO, Seagull Scientific

• Key Trend: The need for nimble and resilient supply chains, driven by the pandemic's impact on traditional supply chain models.
• Permanent Development: The growing trends of personalization, traceability, and e-labeling, which will become ubiquitous in the future.
• Shift in 2022: Incremental shifts in existing trends, with the next major shift likely related to print technologies.

Andrew Moore, Product Manager, Epson America Inc.

• Key Trend: Inks that resist smudging from hand sanitizer, driven by increased sanitizer use.
• Permanent Development: Print-on-demand labeling and warning and nutrition identifiers.
• Unique Insight: Epson’s continued development of color label printers for packaging, offering both desktop labeling and full commercial label presses.

Chris Brown, RFID Subject Matter Expert, TSC Printronix Auto ID Inc.

• Key Trend: Refinement and clarification of RFID standards, addressing existing shortcomings and improving communication to users.
• Permanent Development: Ongoing improvements and clarifications of RFID standards, driven by the discovery of new potential applications.
• Shift in 2022: Education on properly encoding RFID tags, as the industry approaches the trillion tag mark and tag clutter becomes an increasing issue.

Richard Browne, Product Manager, Digimarc

• Key Trend: Labels becoming more intelligent and connected, carrying access to data that extends beyond the label itself.
• Permanent Development: The use of labels for product authentication, driven by consumer demand and the growing issue of counterfeiting.
• Unique Insight: Digimarc's use of covert and overt digital watermarking technology for brand protection, offering a multifaceted approach to combat counterfeiting.

Labeling Trends: A Recap

The insights from these industry experts highlight three overarching themes:

1. Adapting to Unexpected Industry Pressures: Businesses must build agile and resilient supply chains capable of responding to unforeseen disruptions and changing market conditions.
2. Embracing New Labeling Technologies: New labeling technologies, such as 2D barcodes, RFID, and digital watermarking, are essential for streamlining product lifecycle management, enhancing product traceability, and improving security and compliance.
3. Meeting Evolving Consumer Safety Regulations: Companies must adapt to increasingly stringent labeling and packaging regulations, ensuring compliance and maintaining public trust.

BarTender by Seagull Scientific: A Solution for a Nimble and Agile Supply Chain

In this evolving labeling landscape, BarTender by Seagull Scientific stands out as a powerful and versatile solution. BarTender empowers businesses to create labels, barcodes, RFID tags, packing slips, and more, automating processes and streamlining operations.

BarTender's key benefits include:

• Streamlined Data Management: Centralized label management from a single pane of glass.
• Reduced Labor Costs: Automating label production, minimizing manual labor needs.
• Scalability: Easily scaling operations as businesses grow and evolve.
• Global Reach: Shifting label production to other sites, even across different regions or continents.
• Instant Updates: Implementing label format changes and updates quickly across facilities.

BarTender provides the agility and flexibility that businesses need to adapt to the constantly shifting demands of the supply chain. With its comprehensive features and robust functionality, BarTender is a valuable tool for companies navigating the evolving landscape of labeling.