Global Label Market Continues to Expand

The global label market reached c. 76 billion square metres in 2025, a 2.8% increase from the previous year, according to the AWA’s Labelling and Product Decoration Market Report 2026.

Now in its 20th edition, the report offers a comprehensive overview of the global labelling industry, covering all major label formats, including pressure-sensitive, glue-applied, sleeve, and in-mould labels.

Pressure-sensitive labels remained the largest segment, accounting for 39% of global label volumes. Glue-applied labels accounted for 35% of the market, while sleeve label technologies accounted for 20%, highlighting their ongoing significance in packaging and product decoration.

According to market intelligence and consulting firm AWA (Alexander Watson Associates), 2025 saw subdued demand in the first half of the year due to economic uncertainty and shifting trade dynamics.