Key Points:
·Cigar bands have evolved from decorations into tools for branding, anti-counterfeiting, and sustainability.
·Trends include larger sizes, multi-band usage, and “bling” designs popular in Asia.
·Eco-friendly efforts include using mineral powders instead of metallics and ink-free embossing.
·Some cigar bands now feature NFC chips for authentication and consumer interaction.
[2Firsts, Sept. 18, 2025 (By Taco Tuinstra) ]Henk Nota, managing director of Vrijdag, a specialty printer of labels and luxury packs based in the Netherlands, took a deep dive into the artistic and technical craft of cigar bands—from design storytelling to production innovation—during a presentation at the Cigar Culture Summit that took place Sept. 17 ahead of the InterTabac trade fair in Dortmund, Germany. 2Firsts provided on-site coverage of the event.
Vrijdag, founded in 1905, is a Netherlands-based printer specializing in packaging and label design. In addition to cigar bands, its portfolio includes various luxury packaging formats. The first cigar bands emerged in the late 1800s, according to Nota. Initially, the purpose was to keep the smoker’s hand clean. However, over time cigar bands obtain a variety of new functions, such as reinforcing brand identity and protecting the product against counterfeiting. Illustrating the “storytelling” potential of cigar bands, Nota showed a variety of intricate designs, relating the brand owners’ backgrounds and philosophies in cigar manufacturing.
Acknowledging that developments in the cigar industry tend to be measured in decades rather than quarters, Nota went on to highlight notable trends in cigar bands. These included a tendency to use larger cigar bands; applying second bands or even third bands to cigars (“Vrijdag loves this trend,” he said jokingly); and the preference for colorful “bling” designs, including holograms, in Asia.
There are also trends to promote sustainability. By using mineral powders rather than metallic powders for the bronzing process, for example, printers can reduce the environmental impact of their operations. Some bands are embossed rather than printed, eliminating the need for ink altogether.
To discourage counterfeiters, some bands now include NFC (near field communication) chips. Some varieties, he explained, allow smoker to tap the band with their mobile phone. The user is then taken to a website confirming the authenticity of the brand. Where allowed, this function also allows manufacturers to communicate with the consumer, by showing videos of the production process of the cigar or offering pairing advice, for example.
Despite their traditional roots, cigar bands have become a remarkable high-tech product, said Nota.
For more on-the-ground coverage, visit the 2Firsts InterTabac Special Section.
