The educational sector is fast evolving and has growing labeling needs. Be it for organizing, personalization, targeted marketing, or boosting sales of educational supplies offers a rising demand in label and sticker manufacturing. Label supplies ideally improves efficiency in the educational landscape across schools, colleges, universities, tutoring centers, and more. From student IDs, book organization, and asset tracking to furniture labeling, administrative purposes, brand promotions, and beyond—educational packaging labels hold great value. In this blog, let’s discuss the different ways to boost label sales in the education sector as a complete business guide. 

Why the Education Sector Is a High-Potential Market

Today, the education sector around the world has modernized in so many ways. The digital influence and growing infrastructure needs propel great demands for student IDs, barcode labels, inventory tags, tracking stickers, and more. According to HolonIQ, the global educational spend is projected to surpass $10T by 2030, paving the way for a high-potential label manufacturing. 

And, we are not just talking about on a global scale. In fact, in India alone there are over 1.5 million schools and 50,000+ colleges in metropolitan, urban and rural sectors combined; proving it as one of the most massively growing and transforming markets with unique labeling needs. And, the investments in the edtech industry are only growing exponentially. In 2024, the investments in the edtech sector will exceed $15 billion globally, further proving the fact that there will be a consistent labeling need.

Moreover, schools and colleges procure labeling in bulk and on annual contracts, thus boosting sales and growth.

Top Label Needs in Educational Institutions

Here’s a complete list of the different label needs in educational institutions that have demand all around the year. 

1. Library Labels & Barcode Tags

Even in the digital age, there are educational libraries functioning full fledged. And, handling a wide range of physical and digital assets require bulk labels and barcode tags. These labels should majorly be fool-proof, tamper-resistant, ultimately durable and easy to scan. Finds good applications in RFID and barcode-based tracking systems. 

2. Student ID Labels

All through the years of education, students require unique labels for personal identification, to enhance safety, and organizing books and assets. The demand is in the form of ID cards, uniforms, water bottles, backpacks, and notebooks labels. These are often customized with name, grade, QR code, and more. 

3. Asset & Inventory Labels

Asset and inventory management is an inevitable part of running an educational institution. Especially those with computers, expensive  lab equipment, AV gear, furniture, etc, there needs proper labeling and identification standards for perfect asset handling. This infrastructure requires serialized/barcoded labels with strong adhesive, further enhancing label sales in the sector. 

4. Classroom Organization Labels

Used significantly in K–12 schools and Montessori environments, it is a standard practice to instill visual learning aids and labeling. For classroom organization, there is a good labeling demand for cabinets, charts, nameplates, drawers, and color-coded tags. Easy-to-use stickers are often preferred while being color-coded, reusable, or magnetic in nature. 

5. Transport & Lunch ID Labels

Student safety and good health is the main idea behind transport and lunch ID labels.Especially during transit, there is a definite labeling need so that lunch bags don’t get stolen or allergy/ safety instructions are not missed. Bus passes, lunch cards, allergy/safety tags are the most used labels that come in waterproof, scratch-resistant formats.

Key Labeling Trends for Education

To stay ahead of the competition, it is important for labels manufacturing companies to follow the key trends in the education sector and how it can boost label sales significantly. Here are the must-know pointers to act upon:

• Venture into smart labels: 

With the rising tech disruption in the educational sector, it is vital for label vendors to shift towards NFC, QR, RFID-enabled labels that are for tracking, inventory management, personal/ asset identification, etc. 

• Aim for bulk order from tenders: 

While retail sales and building a label brand among the public is essential, improving sales doesn’t end with retail orders. Try giving a shot at bulk and government tenders that skyrockets sales faster than ever. 

• Be sustainable with eco-friendly labels:

Many institutions set an example to students by following sustainable practices. FSC-certified, recyclable adhesives, and recyclable packaging materials can be included in the label offerings.

• Customize & personalize:

The demand for personalized, visually-appealing labels and stickers across different schools, colleges, and universities. There are 50+ use cases that require custom and personalized labels, be it for branding, student identity, asset categorization, tracking, etc. 

• Benefit from ordering supplies online:

There are different platforms like Amazon Business, Udaan, and B2B marketplaces where labeling businesses can source supplies online at best rates. This further helps boost labels manufacturing companies.

Best-Selling Label Types for Education

The label trends in education sectors keep evolving, and here is a list of what’s in demand:

For administrative purpose:

• Thermal barcode labels 
• Die-cut labels
• Customized vinyl ID stickers
• Serialized asset tags
• Color-coded classroom labels
• RFID and QR-enabled tags 

For student purpose:

• Name badge stickers
• Personalized name labels for uniforms and belongings
• Waterproof lunchbox and bottle labels
• Allergy/safety alert tags
• Backpack and book ID labels
• Temporary transport/bus pass labels

How to Position Your Label Business for Schools & Colleges

Label sales in the education sector are booming significantly. And, it requires the right positioning and branding to be seen and chosen for labeling needs across schools and colleges. 

✅ Focus on Value, Not Just Price

Highlight your different offerings, USPs, their durability, smart features, customization options, and more, and not just on the price. 

✅ Offer Custom Packages

Customization is the key in today’s educational environment. Offer bundled packages, Library Kits, Student starter kits, or samples in order to gain attention and leave an impression. 

✅ Target Procurement Cycles

The academic year is different in different places. For instance, it is March–June in India, and August–October across the US and global markets. Target these peak seasons for boosting label sales with long-term contracts. 

✅ Certifications Matter

It demands a lot of authenticity, certified offerings, and originality to thrive as a popular label manufacturer in the learning sector. Hence, certifications matter; offer labels that are RoHS-compliant, Non-toxic ink certified, Tear-proof & child-safe, or ISO 9001 or ISO 14001 certified. 

✅ Build Partnerships

Partnerships win great deals. Tie up with school supply vendors, educational publishers, and school software providers to boost product sales. 

Where to Promote Your Label Products

There are different channels and pathways to promote your label products. 

• Promote via paid Google Ads targeting terms like “school label supplier,” “asset tags for schools” to reach a wide audience like schools and colleges who convert.
• Sell on Marketplaces where you can  List SKUs on platforms like Amazon Business, IndiaMART, Udaan.
• Visit EdTech & School Exhibitions that help easily convert. Target expos like : BETT, DIDAC, Education Expo
• Send email campaigns  to school admin, facilities managers, and principals who are the key decision-makers in the educational system.
• Target and run social media campaigns during back-to-school season with impressive storytelling, and branding.

Expert Tips: Sell Through Government Tenders

If you are a certified label manufacturer and aim to make good business with education packaging labels, government tenders are the best possible way. It is both legit and gives an instant boost in sales. 

 In India, the government procures school materials via:

• GEM portal
• State-level tenders
• CSR-based bulk procurement

Register as a vendor and target label-based supply orders for schools and other educational institutions. 

Wrapping Up, 

The educational packaging label sector is fast evolving. With institutions continuing to digitize, and become more organized in infrastructure and functioning, there emerges a rising need for labels and stickers that are durable, environmentally friendly, and becomes easily trackable with QR, barcodes, etc. Now, this presents an immense opportunity for labels manufacturing companies that aim to succeed in this competitive space. The label business is one of the smartest business ideas and with this guide, there is a definite opportunity to position yourselves as a trusted label partner in the education space.