WHILE there’s an evident uptake in alternative paper stock and material substrates among South African wine brands, Western Cape label converter Rotolabel – a division of Bidvest – highlights significant logistical and supply chain issues as well as increased costs associated with these trends.

Grant Watson, Rotolabel‘s executive for national sales, observes: ‘We’re definitely seeing wine label designs trend towards richer, thicker, uncoated paper stocks and materials and increasing use of tactile features, such as embossing, debossing, foil stamping and screen high-builds. This differentiation is crucial in a market where visual and tactile appeal can make a brand stand out.’

However, the allure of these premium materials is tempered by logistical complexities. Grant explains: ‘To differentiate your product with specific materials or substrates, you need to commit to future forecasts to ensure their availability. While some of these specialised materials are kept locally, their volumes are fairly low and highly sensitive to changes in demand,’ he comments. Shipping challenges can increase lead times and supply chain issues can make it a bit expensive.’ Despite these challenges, the variety of materials available today is significantly broader than it was five years ago, providing brands with unprecedented options for unique and compelling label designs.

The discussion around technological advancements like RFID and personalisation also features prominently in Rotolabel’s strategic outlook. Wicus Maritz, managing executive, acknowledges the potential of RFID technology, but notes its limited adoption. ‘It’s been a long time in development and there’s been a

lot of talk about RFID inserts used on labels, but, thus far, the uptake’s been slow and niche in the South African wine and spirits industry. However, we’re keeping our eye on RFID used in labels.’

RFID promises enhanced inventory tracking and authenticity verification, but its widespread use remains on the horizon.

Personalisation, while a hot topic, presents practical limitations for mass production. Grant elaborates: ‘Personalisation is a fantastic concept with compelling stories behind it. However, on any mass scale, it’s not quite feasible. It’s very niche and more suitable for one-off promotions and unique product ranges. In the South African wine industry, personalisation remains a small category.’

Four or five years ago, there were only a handful of paper stock materials at our disposal, but, today, it’s at least 10 times that amount.”

Despite these niche areas, the surge in demand for diverse and tactile paper stocks remains the most significant trend. Grant notes: ‘Four or five years ago, there were only a handful of materials at our disposal, but, today, it’s at least 10 times that amount. The different materials or paper stocks really give wine brands that perceived differentiation and they’re willing to pay the increased prices, despite the associated shipping and logistical issues.’

Rotolabel offers an extensive range of materials, including Antique Linen FSC Hotmelt, Estate 8 FSC Hotmelt and Tintoretto Black Pepper SH-6020 Plus CB80, among others. This commitment to variety and quality ensures that Rotolabel continues to meet the evolving needs of the wine and spirits industry, navigating supply chain complexities to deliver exceptional labelling solutions.

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