Inessens, Alliance Etiquettes, Fedrigoni and Vollherbst: luxury labels between naturalness, material innovation and tactile effects

Labels are no longer limited to simple packaging elements: they are evolving toward greater individuality and interaction. As our in-depth analysis of the sector shows, new materials and innovative embellishment techniques are now bringing texture and tactile effects to the forefront.

Trends in luxury labels span a very broad spectrum, ranging from streamlined designs to bold, “bling-bling” creations. “The market is somewhat schizophrenic,” acknowledges Vincent Joffre, Cosmetics Sales Director at Inessens. “There is a desire for more naturalness, with labels that are pared back in terms of inks and embellishment techniques, but there is also strong demand for shine—especially in fragrance—which often requires multi-material solutions.”

Overall, relief and material effects designed to engage consumers are proving essential. Thanks to a wide variety of printing technologies, materials, and finishing options, brands now have every tool they need to ensure their products stand out on store shelves.

“Minimal material, but executed to perfection,” notes Agnès Deslandes, Creative Director France at Alliance Etiquettes, referring to the minimalist label trend. This often involves fine creative papers, dry embossing, transparent foiling, deep blacks… Finishing is approached with intention rather than excess, confirms Fedrigoni Self Adhesives, which is seeing demand for a natural aesthetic, with visible fibers and a craft-like look. At the same time, interest in alternative and sustainable materials is surging, giving rise to “clean, elegant, and understated designs” that intrinsically convey environmental responsibility, according to Avery Dennison.

This direction requires materials capable of supporting sophisticated effects such as embossing or soft-touch finishes. The supplier’s latest sensorial alternative substrates offer natural textures with a “unique” look and feel: LeatherLike Black, Limestone, and rWood Skin. Lin Fiber, made from flax, has recently joined Avery Dennison’s The Sustainable Collection, alongside options such as Hemp Fiber and Cane Fiber. Meanwhile, Vollherbst has developed craftLABEL, a solution that integrates natural elements—such as sand, soil, or ash—directly into the label. Its LABELillusion technique makes it possible to achieve high-end embossing effects without physically embossing the label, delivering, according to the supplier, “striking visual and tactile depth,” while remaining highly cost-efficient.