Labelexpo Global Series, the global platform for the label and package printing industry for over 45 years, will rebrand to Loupe, with the first show under the new branding being Loupe Americas 2026.
With the announcement coinciding with the first day of Labelexpo Europe 2025, the rebranding aims to align the platform with the evolution of the industry, most notably:
- Industry convergence: the package printing industry is converging around a set of core technologies – digital, digital hybrid, and in-line production – driven by automation, cloud connectivity, and sustainability.
- Market consolidation: the industry is undergoing rapid consolidation and transformation, creating ‘one-stop’ package printing operations that encompass the full range of packaging formats.
- Disruptive technology: label converters have already diversified into flexible packaging and are identifying new opportunities in folding cartons.
Portfolio development
Labelexpo was launched in 1980 with the inaugural Labelex 80 in London, featuring 44 label industry suppliers.
Since then, the portfolio has expanded across the globe, supported by specialised editorial from Labels & Labelling. In the past two years alone, the combined Labelexpo portfolio of events welcomed over 125,755 visitors and occupied 140,919sqm.
This week, Labelexpo Europe 2025 in Barcelona welcomes over 650 exhibitors covering a wide spectrum of the labels and package printing sector.
Data from Labelexpo Europe 2023 showed 40 per cent of show visitors registered an interest in flexible packaging and 25 per cent in folding cartons. Over 25 per cent of exhibitors at Labelexpo Europe 2025 have portfolios that reach across labels, flexible packaging and folding carton sectors.
“Over the decades, Labelexpo has transformed from a narrow web, pressure-sensitive-focused show to take in new label formats, then flexible packaging, and now folding cartons, all driven by the entrepreneurship, agility and service mentality of label converters,” said Andy Thomas-Emans, strategic director of Labelexpo Global Series.
“Just as today’s label converters are diversifying and bringing multiple technologies together under one roof, Loupe mirrors that same spirit, uniting the full spectrum of package printing in one place to inspire innovation, efficiency, and growth for the entire industry.’’
Partnership with Informa
In 2023, Labelexpo Global Series joined Informa, a major global B2B event organiser that commands 800+ brands and 14,000 employees across 30 countries.
The ability to connect with multiple industries across complementary Informa events in the healthcare and pharma, food and nutrition, and beauty and aesthetics sectors, provides sponsors, exhibitors, and visitors access to wider knowledge and business opportunities.
New brand identity
The new brand identity is the culmination of a meticulous research and consultation process involving industry peers and partners, and it was important for event organisers to preserve the loyal label audience that always defined the event, while also reflecting changes shaping the industry.
Embedded into the brand, the Loupe acronym stands for ‘Labels and Outer Packaging Embellishment’, reflecting the expanded scope of the show, while maintaining the core focus on labels.
“From 2026, our event portfolio will emerge as Loupe, while our editorial arm, Labels & Labelling, remains unchanged,” explained Jade Grace, managing director of Labelexpo Global Series.
“While labels continue to be our focus, this evolution recognises the broader impact and influence of label technologies across the entire value chain.
“Loupe will continue to drive the transformation of the labels and outer packaging embellishment industry across all packaging formats. Today, we celebrate a new era with our industry."
Honouring Labelexpo’s heritage, Loupe aims to continue being the leading global source for expert content and live connections in package printing and converting – from labels to flexible packaging and folding cartons.