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| Loupe |
Loupe is
a simple, small magnification device used to see minute
details more closely. They generally have higher magnification than
magnifying glass. It is a small tool in the hands of most precision-oriented
printers to check the print registration and quality of print. The
magnification of content and its spread to other printing technologies
envisioned through the loupe by the new owners of Labelexpo group made them
expand the gamut, by renaming this premier event to include multiple segments
of printing and packaging and be named Loupe! On the 15th of
September 2025, on the opening day of Labelexpo 2025 at a new venue Fira Gran
Via Barcelona Spain, Informa Markets the present owners of the event announced
that Labelexpo had been transformed and renamed to be known hereafter as Loupe.
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| Clive Smith |
The Labelexpo
exhibitions held in Europe, USA, China and India over the years have come to be
referred to as the Mecca of successful label printers around the world. The
Labelexpo exhibition was founded by Clive Smith in the year 1979, a year later
in 1980 the first Labelexpo exhibition titled Labelex at that time, was held in
London’s Royal Horticultural Hall, in a net area of 1000 square meters with
just 44 exhibitors. Three shows later in 1985 the show was renamed as Labelexpo
Europe and moved to Brussels and in 1998 it was sold to Tarsus who expanded the
labelexpo to global destinations including India by acquiring the India Label
Show in 2005 and renaming it as Labelexpo India in 2008. After growing the
brand multifold in 2023, Labelexpo Global Series was acquired by Informa, the
world's largest B2B event organizer, commanding 800+ brands and 14,000
employees across 30 countries. On September 15
th, 2025, Labelexpo
not only moved from Brussels, its traditional venue of 20 years and moved to
Fira Gran Via Barcelona Spain but also was transformed by the new owners to a
different format. From being primarily a label event, it will now encompass the
companies in various technologies that include besides labels, flexible
packaging, cartons and various forms of packaging. While no mention is made for
the total area covered by Labelexpo 2025, but it is mentioned that the show had
650 exhibitors from 138 countries.
Trying to get opinion of visitors,
a questionnaire as follows was sent to some visitors and exhibitors;
- What is your response regarding
the shift of Labelexpo from Brussels to Barcelona? Is it better or was Brussels
better ?
- The shift of management from
Tarsus to Informa Markets, was it a better organised event? Your opinion
- The change of name from Labelexpo
to Loupe, do you like it? Change of format from labels to packaging.
- If sheet offset is also in the new
format, labels will be a miniscule portion. Your take?
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| Barcelona |
Analysing the
responses as an overview;
At the very outset it will be pertinent to mention that this was a premium show where largely exhibitors drew value for money. It delivered the results envisaged! However, being a predominantly European show, the larger number
of visitors appeared to be more from the same region. As per the author’s
personal perception there appeared to be a smaller number of visitors than
before from the Indian subcontinent. Although
the total number of attendees seemed lower, this observation is also based on
perception, as Informa Markets has not released an official statement or press
release to this effect. The city of Barcelona was amazing, but many would
have loved to be on holiday in Spain and not just for an exhibition. As regards
the change of venue from Brussels to Barcelona, the industry getting together and
the camaraderie amongst peers at Grand Place in Brussels was missing, yet a
majority of respondents feel it is a good move, and the show will settle down
well in Barcelona.
While change of management from Tarsus to Informa is a
matter of record, in this edition of the show, there were problems in organization
of the event. The signages were not only bad but unacceptable. The meticulous
planning at Brussels was missing . Even the Gala dinner was a damp affair as
compared to the grand sit down, well planned formal dinners at Brussels with
great pomp and show. And there were no proper signages leading to the dinner venue.
The author had to climb 3 floors to be told by the girl at the door that one
has to go down 3 floors and come up another way after checking the wrist badges
which we already adorned, even though the main hall was just a few steps from
where she was. Not even caring for senior citizens! The air conditioning in the
exhibition halls was inefficient and in Hall 3
it was unbearably hot. Again, it is felt these are transitional glitches and
will eventually be addressed.
The labels
community at large has expressed that Labelexpo was a preferred name as it was
their show and would wish it had continued so. However still, it is understood
to be the prerogative of the show owners to change the name. It will probably
settle down with time. The change of format from narrow web self-adhesive
labels to include flexible packaging pouching in mold labels, and so, is
acceptable. In fact, the roll form narrow to mid-web printing and converting appears to be the relevant
format to extend the show towards. My last question, “ If sheet offset is also
in the new format, labels will be a
miniscule portion. Your take?” drew the strongest response from a majority, “We
cannot be a part of such a show where we lose our status as a part of the
vibrant label industry.”
Reproduced below are some of the important comments of all the respondents. Producing all comments would make
the article too long.
Kuldip Goel CMD Any Graphics Noida India and past President LMAI: “Our experience of Brussels was better. I would not be repeating visit to Barcelona though I see that Informa is doing a great job. I do not think that the change in name is going to impact much, but Label Expo looks better. Label should be treated differently. Inclusion of Sheetfed Offset may make the event loose its uniqueness.”
Isidore
Leiser, Owner Stratus Packaging, Brussels, Belgium: “Personally, I like a
label show to remain focused on labels. If someone wants something broader,
they can always go to Drupa.”
Naveen
Talwar, Director Skypack India Pvt Ltd Faridabad India: “I prefer the Barcelona
venue; it is closer to airport. It is a cleaner city compared to Brussels. I felt
safer. Personally, I feel the show should stick to ‘roll to roll” converting.
Sheet fed will make things totally different.”
Raul
Silvestre, Lartec, Alicante Spain: “The change of venue to Barcelona is good
but it was badly organized. Access for exhibitors was not allowed by own cars.
We had to handle all boxes from door 4 to the stand, manually. Very Bad exit
doors, only 2 available when the show has a lot to go out. I do not like the
change of name and the format change. It should remain an event focused on
labels. The change will result in lesser share for label industry visitors to
have opportunity to contact and spend time with exhibitors.”
Amit Sheth, Director Intergraphics Mumbai India: “Frankly, the new organiser was not as efficient as the previous one . The signages were missing; the assistance desks in every intersection were missing; the maps of all the halls at each intersection were missing . As for format change from Labels to Packaging, Label being the primary subject should not be unfocussed. Merging packaging up to mid web is fine but SHEETFED OFFSET OR ANY SHEET FORM MACHINES OR APPLICATIONS SHOULD NOT BE ENCOURAGED.”
Nitin Garg, Managing
Director NBG Printographics Faridabad India: “The shift to Barcelona seems
to be a good decision and will boost international participation. The event was
well organized, with no complaints. This change of name is logical from the
management’s perspective and aligns with the broader industry shift from labels
to packaging. The success of Labelexpo stemmed from its clear focus on the
label industry and the strong connections its management had within the sector
across different countries. With the current shift toward packaging, it remains
to be seen whether the same success can be replicated, as packaging is a much
broader and more complex domain. The core focus should remain on labels.”
Ankit Gupta
Managing Director Holostik Noida India: Barcelona was okay for us though I
missed the weather and vibe of Brussels. The Expo was organised well but I neither
like the change of format nor the change of name. Sheet offset should not be a
part of this landmark show. It will lose its unique identity.”
Sandeep
Sharma Director at Acme Rolltech Pvt Ltd Ahmedabad India: Barcelona was
good as it creates new positive enthusiasm amongst the exhibitors as well as
the visitors. Both Tarsus and Informa are good organisers. Except for the air conditioning
issue which needs to be taken care of going forward, overall, it was a good
show for us.
Nalani
Jaichandra Director VeePee Graphics Bengaluru India: ´It is better in
Barcelona, much safer than Brussels. The show was well organized but the name
Labelexpo was more apt. Yes, this format widens the target market, which will
bring in more visitors and as Labels is a part of packaging having everything
under one roof will be better. Sheetfed offset should be kept out, the focus
should be only on flexo and digital.
Dinesh
Mahajan, Managing Director Prakash Labels Noida India: “Barcelona is as
good as Brussels! Unfortunately, the event was not that well organized compared
to what it used to be in Brussels. The name Labelexpo when spoken gives clear
impression of what event we are talking about, though Loupe is not that
explicit. Change of format seems all right, but Sheet offset should be resisted
to be displayed in this event.
Mahendra
Shah, Director at Renault Paper Products Pvt ltd. Mumbai: “After initial adverse
reactions, once settled, the venue looks good. Organisational glitches will
eventually be taken care of and sure to settle down. As for the name, I would
prefer Labelexpo, it connects us to the event. The change of format is way forward.
For the sheetfed offset segment, web converting is the future, and they should
be visitors to the show.”
Summing up, it
is generally felt the venue in Barcelona is acceptable or will gradually settle
down with visitors from industry. The organization of the show will improve
given the stature experience and capabilities of Informa Markets and the changed
format restricted to web converting, preferably up to mid-web, will be widely welcomed but to include
sheetfed offset will make it a replication of the many shows like Drupa. The
wish to make it to specially focused labelexpo and meet label industry peers
will diminish. We will wait to see how Labelexpo, renamed Loupe, will actually transform
and find acceptability from the label fraternity.
Note: One day prior to the show that opened on 16th September 2025, on the 15th, Amit Sheth and the author Harveer Sahni, representing LMAI were the judges for World Label Awards and also attended the meeting of L9 the confederation of nine leading label associations of the world.
My short pictorial walk through the Labelexpo 2025:
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| World label awards judging in progress |
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| With Marco Calcagni of Omet |
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Innauguration of Brotech AI enabled press | | The Judges, after meeting picture |
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| L9 team |
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| Author's book to Ramon Lee |
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| with Umesh Kagade of HP |
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| Sandeep Sharma Acme Rolltech |
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| with Wolfgang Kos Geiger |
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| The new Omet press launched |
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| WLA Judges Amit and Harveer Sahni |
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| Wit Appadurai of HP |
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| The Avery Dennison team with Kimoha Dubai team |
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| With Christian Menegon former manager at HP |
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| At Apex stand |
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| With Enrica Lodi of Cartes |
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| With Onno Dean of GSE ink dispensing |
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| Lartec family |
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| Pre-press experts Nalani and Jai |
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| Keren-Label Pack Mexico & Chelsea of labelsandlabelling |
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| Amit and Ashima of Multitec |
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| Indian Labelstock supplier Sticon team |
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| With T P Jain of Monotech |
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| Steve Katz LNW USA |
Written by Harveer Sahni, Chairman
Weldon Celloplast Limited New Delhi September 2025
