On-Demand Custom Labeling—Meeting the E-Commerce Boom

As e-commerce continues its rapid expansion, consumer expectations for personalized packaging have surged. Brands now need to produce small batches of custom labels—featuring unique QR codes, promotional messages, or individual names—while maintaining high throughput. Labeling machines are evolving to satisfy this “mass customization” trend without sacrificing speed or accuracy.

With global online retail projected to exceed $6 trillion by 2024, businesses require flexible labeling solutions that can switch between SKUs or print variable data on the fly；Small-brand owners and seasonal promotions demand low-volume runs with minimal waste. Traditional large-batch labeling methods are too slow and costly for these use cases.

Modern labeling machines integrate direct thermal or inkjet printheads, allowing each label to carry unique information (e.g., personalized messages, date/time stamps, or sequential barcodes). This eliminates the need to preprint large label rolls, reducing inventory and obsolescence；By adding plug-and-play modules for different label types (self-adhesive, wraparound, linerless), manufacturers can adapt to varied packaging formats—bottles, pouches, cartons—within minutes；Touchscreen HMI stores “recipes” for common SKUs. Operators select a recipe, and the machine auto-adjusts speed, label position, and print settings—cutting changeover time from 20 minutes to under 3 minutes.