Shrink continues to grow! Use of Shrink-sleeve labeling is poised to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2% until 2025.* It’s a cost-effective way to decorate complex shaped packaging, and utilizes the full 360° of the container. Shrink sleeves add a lot of shelf impact to brand packaging.
So what are the trends in the world of shrink sleeves? Here are some things our experts have identified as potential drivers of shrink sleeve appeal in the near future.
Eye “CANdy”
Take a closer look at some of the canned beers and premium sodas on the market. You’ll notice a good number that appear direct printed but are actually decorated with shrink sleeves. Small to mid-size companies often cannot afford the cost of buying large stocks of pre-printed cans, given the high minimum quantity requirements. Because of this, many are opting to purchase smaller volumes of blank cans and decorate them with shrink-sleeves. In addition to being an economical packaging option, shrink sleeves provide some versatility in decoration. Blank cans decorated with sleeves allow smaller companies to easily switch between brands or varieties. And the shelf-appeal of sleeved cans is turning heads.
Looking Good – Naturally!
As the technology advances, sustainable shrink materials like PLA will become more prevalent and cost-effective. PLA (Poly-lactic Acid) is a corn-based material, so it comes from a renewable resource and decreases dependence on petroleum-based raw materials. It is also compostable, so these labels don’t end life as solid waste in a landfill.
Upside-down Is In
Shrink sleeves are a great decoration option for those liquid products that’ve turned the package on its head – think Heinz Ketchup and all manner of shampoo and conditioner products. It’s not only a practical way to deliver liquid products, but also an eye-catching package presentation. More products will undoubtedly migrate to this top-down package configuration to take advantage of gravity, and shrink-sleeves will most-likely be the decoration of choice for many.
Health & Wellness
There are a LOT of healthy food and drink choices on the market, and new ones are appearing every day. These products need a good deal of space to make their nutritional claims and to list their dietary benefits. And let’s not forget the ingredient and other regulatory information required in this sector. Shrink-sleeves provide a lot of package real estate on which to print all of this, along with the branding and consumer appeals that marketing demands. If you need more room, think shrink!
There’s a Cover Up!
Beverage companies struggle at times with pre-printed can and bottle inventory which has become obsolete for any number of reasons. A recent trend has seen these companies turn to shrink-sleeves to ‘cover-up’ the existing decoration and outdated verbiage. Rather than having to discard obsolete packaging and swallow the loss, the cans or bottles get new life with shrink sleeve decoration.
Let the experts at AWT tell you more about shrink sleeves and how you can add some pop to your packaging.
