Harness 2026’s Demand Surge – Why Digital Label Printing is the Answer
2026 is the year brands are asking for more from print: faster turnarounds, shorter runs and personalized products that stand out.
That demand translates into opportunity – particularly in digital label printing. For commercial printers looking to expand and label converters looking to modernize, digital label presses have matured to deliver speed, agility and profitability without complexity. Supplement your traditional equipment with digital technology that boasts smart automation, enabling your team to confidently take on more SKUs, more variability and more value-added work. This blueprint highlights three trends shaping the market – and how to capitalize on each to build high-margin growth.
Trend 1: Simplifying Print with Digital Platforms and Smart Automation
One of the most significant trends for 2026 is the accelerating shift toward digital printing. The move to digital isn’t necessarily about replacing flexo or offset – it can be about supplementing those systems to handle short-to-medium runs, personalization and SKU variability profitably. Digital complements traditional platforms by taking on jobs that would otherwise be inefficient or unprofitable with analog systems.
Konica Minolta’s toner-based label platform makes this transition simple. This proven technology delivers operator-friendly reliability, consistent color and minimal maintenance, without the complexity or overhead of inkjet or hybrid systems. Shops that add digital gain the agility to capture high-margin short-run work, reduce waste and improve turnaround times – all without needing specialized operators or major workflow overhauls. In a time where finding skilled labor is a serious challenge for printers, this is essential.
To truly capitalize on this trend, unifying your systems with intelligent workflow solutions is essential. Platforms like Konica Minolta’s AccurioPro Flux automate tasks, streamline job setup and connect processes – customized to your shop’s needs – so you can scale profitably in a market demanding speed and flexibility.
Trend 2: Short-Run Digital Labels and Increased Variability
SKU counts are skyrocketing as brands diversify with regional versions, seasonal launches and personalized products. This surge in variability means shorter runs, faster turnarounds and more frequent artwork changes. Digital is simply better equipped to meet those demands. It delivers near-instant changeovers, on-demand versioning, variable data and predictable cost structures – making it the ideal complement to flexo for short and mid-size runs.
This isn’t just a production shift – it’s a new revenue stream and profitability opportunity. Konica Minolta projects the converter volume to grow by nearly $2 billion by 2030, with much of that growth perfectly suited for digital. To capitalize, print shops need a press with an easy-to-use ecosystem that unifies workflows, automates prepress and connects MIS to production. Streamlined integration turns SKU complexity into a competitive advantage, reducing touchpoints, eliminating bottlenecks and enabling profitable growth in a market demanding speed and flexibility.
Trend 3: Digital Embellishment for Premium Differentiation and Profit
Converters and printers are embracing digital embellishment in labels as brands demand more ways to make products stand out. Foil, spot varnish, textures and even security patterns are no longer reserved for luxury runs – they’re becoming essential for differentiation in crowded markets.
For print providers, this is a clear opportunity. Investing in digital embellishment technology creates a competitive advantage by enabling quick turnaround times and offering design options tailored to each brand’s audience. That helps customers stand out – which helps you stand out.
It’s easier than ever to implement. Modern workflows simplify file prep, ensure precise registration and provide proofing tools that minimize trial-and-error. Expect continued innovation to make premium finishes even more accessible. The takeaway: digital embellishment isn’t just possible – it’s practical, profitable and a powerful upsell when paired with short-run digital labels. Check out Konica Minolta’s full lineup of easy-to-use digital embellishment presses here.
Success: How Affix Label & Print Maximized Profitability with Digital Flexibility
AFFIX Label & Print saw the increasing need for flexibility amid growing demand and harnessed the opportunity to expand in-house capabilities, elevate product quality and strengthen client experience. Specializing in custom label printing for short and mid-volume runs, AFFIX needed both a high-performance, easy-to-use press and a strategic partner to improve profitability while ensuring long-term control. Konica Minolta’s AccurioLabel 230 – printable on diverse substrates with variable data, quick changeovers and stable color – was the ideal fit for high-mix, fast-paced work in a compact package. Since installing the AccurioLabel 230, AFFIX has transformed its production process, enhancing print quality and broadening service offerings – resulting in a 40% increase in revenue per job.
Future-Proof Your Business for 2026 and Beyond
Konica Minolta is committed to building smarter, more sustainable, and more profitable label solutions – integrating hardware, workflow, embellishment and expert service tailored to real production environments.
Expect 2026’s SKU-driven market to demand more automation, smarter AI-based controls and enhanced workflow integration to reduce touchpoints, errors and operating costs. Our vision for the next decade is clear: empower customers to win more business, handle more complexity and do it all with less friction and greater flexibility. With Konica Minolta and the broadest portfolio of production and industrial print solutions in the industry, you get a trusted partner, a proven platform and a team that’s ready to help you grow.
Ready to turn SKU complexity into a competitive advantage? See how digital label printing enables high-margin short runs, personalization, and automation: Maximize Profitability Today.
Digital Label Printing for 2026 FAQ
