CRG addresses smarter sourcing in a price-pressed label market

The label and package printing market continues to navigate numerous challenges. In terms of selecting and sourcing materials, the industry has shifted from previous years. As the world continues to evolve, converters and suppliers are approaching the market in new ways.

To discuss the latest material trends and the industry’s future outlook, L&NW sat down with Cindy White, president and CEO, Channeled Resources Group.

L&NW: What are label converters thinking about differently when it comes to sourcing pressure sensitive materials today?

CW: Converters are paying closer attention to where their material comes from, how quickly they can get it, and whether the price still makes sense for the job. That may sound simple, but it is a shift from how many companies purchased materials in the past.

For a long time, sourcing was often based on routine. Buyers went back to the same suppliers, ordered the same constructions, and expected the same general pricing and availability. The last several years changed that mindset. Supply disruptions, price increases, changing demand, and tighter margins have pushed converters to ask better questions.

Now, it is not just, “Can I get this material?” It is, “Is this the right material for the job? Is there a smarter way to buy it? Can I protect my margin without causing trouble on-press?” That is where sourcing becomes more strategic.

L&NW: With pricing still a major focus, how can converters protect margins without creating new issues on-press or in the finished label?

CW: The lowest price is not always the best answer. Everyone wants to save money, but if the material does not run well, convert well, print well, or perform in the end-use application, those savings disappear pretty quickly.

The key is to understand where flexibility exists and where it does not. Some jobs have very tight requirements. Others may have more room to consider comparable materials, different roll sizes, alternative constructions, or available inventory that meets the same performance needs at a better value.

Good sourcing is about asking the right questions upfront. What is the application? What is the adhesive requirement? How will it be printed and converted? How will the label be applied? What environment will it be exposed to? Once you understand those details, you can look for savings in a way that is still responsible.

Protecting margin should not mean guessing. It should mean making informed decisions.

L&NW: What does “smarter sourcing” mean in the pressure sensitive materials market?

CW: To me, smarter sourcing means being open-minded, but not careless. It means looking beyond the standard buying path and recognizing that there may be more than one way to get the material performance you need. That could mean using available inventory more strategically, considering first-quality offcuts, evaluating price fighter materials, or working with a supplier that can slit and rewind material to the roll size that actually fits the job.

It also means having better visibility. Buyers need to know what is available, what the specifications are, how quickly they can get it, and whether it makes sense for their application. The easier it is to search, compare, and ask questions, the easier it is to make a good decision.

Smarter sourcing is not about cutting corners. It is about removing waste, reducing unnecessary cost, and making sure the material choice supports both production and profitability.

L&NW: Where do converters sometimes miss opportunities to save on pressure sensitive materials?

CW: I think one of the biggest missed opportunities is assuming that every job has to be sourced the same way.

There are absolutely applications where the material specification is tight and there is not much room to move. But there are also many jobs where converters may have more flexibility than they realize. The facestock, adhesive, liner, roll width, or order quantity may not need to follow the same buying pattern every time.

That does not mean taking a risk just to save a few dollars. It means taking a closer look at the application and asking, “Where do we really need to be exact, and where do we have room to be flexible?”

Sometimes the savings come from finding a comparable construction. Sometimes it comes from using an available offcut. And sometimes it comes from buying a roll that can be slit down to the size needed instead of ordering new material from scratch. Those small decisions can make a meaningful difference, especially when converters are trying to keep jobs profitable.

The opportunity is not in buying cheaper for the sake of buying cheaper. It is in buying smarter.

L&NW: How does CRG’s approach fit into this broader shift toward smarter, more flexible sourcing?

CW: CRG has always operated a little differently, and that difference makes a lot of sense in today’s market.

On the pressure sensitive side, we specialize in first-quality offcuts and price fighter materials that give converters more options when they are trying to manage cost, availability, and performance. These are materials that can often meet the needs of real label applications, but at a better value than traditional sourcing channels.

We also custom slit and rewind materials, so customers are not forced into roll sizes that do not work for them. Our goal is to help them find the right fit, not just sell what happens to be on the floor.

The way we see it, converters do not need sourcing to be more complicated. They need it to be easier, faster, and more transparent. That is why we continue to invest in searchable inventory, online quote tools, weekly specials, and, most importantly, a team that is willing to pick up the phone and help.

At the end of the day, smarter sourcing is still about people. It is about understanding what the customer needs, being honest about what will work, and helping them protect their bottom line without creating new headaches.