Barry Kronhaus
Barry is a dynamic senior sales and operations executive with 20+ years of experience in the packaging industry
In the world of packaging, coding has become an essential element that goes beyond simple identification. It plays a crucial role in product safety, regulatory compliance, brand promotion, and supply chain efficiency. Understanding the importance of coding and the choice between laser coding and continuous inkjet coding can help businesses prioritize their packaging needs and make informed decisions.
Coding on packaging offers several key benefits that not only improve overall return on investment but also mitigate liabilities from unforeseen circumstances or events. Let’s explore some of these benefits in more detail:
1. Product Identification and Traceability
Coding ensures accurate identification and traceability throughout the supply chain, allowing for quick tracking of products from production to distribution. In the case of recalls, coding assists in identifying affected products, protecting both consumers and brand reputation. For example, companies like Del Monte and Kellogs use coding for product tracking and traceability. The codes provide valuable information about the manufacturing location, production date, and batch number, which play a part in quality control. If any issues arise, the codes let the manufacturer identify the specific plant, production line or batch involved so that appropriate action can be taken.
2. Brand Promotion
Coding provides an avenue for incorporating branding elements such as logos, slogans or speciality codes and messages. These enhance brand visibility and create opportunities to keep consumers engaged. By leveraging coding solutions, businesses can strengthen brand loyalty and differentiate their products in the marketplace.
3. Regulatory Compliance:
Coding helps businesses meet regulatory requirements by incorporating essential information on packaging, such as allergen warnings, sustainability certifications and product traceability. Regulations like the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA) in the United States ensure that businesses disclose crucial contents to protect consumers from deception and aid them in making informed choices.
4. Product Recalls and Safety Alerts:
In the event of quality issues or safety concerns, coding enables manufacturers to quickly and efficiently recall only the affected products. By identifying affected products through coding, businesses can ensure consumer safety and demonstrate their commitment to their well-being. Certain kinds of frozen fruit were recently recalled due to a potential health risk to the consumer. The coding on the packaging allowed the manufacturer to provide specific identification details, making the recall process more effective and preventing further harm.
Laser vs. CIJ coding
Now that we understand the importance of coding, let’s explore two primary methods of putting coding on packages: laser coding and continuous inkjet coding.
Laser coding utilizes advanced laser technology to create permanent markings on packaging materials. By precisely focusing a laser beam on the packaging surface, high-resolution codes, logos, and other information are formed. Laser coding offers durability, excellent print quality, and compatibility with various materials.
On the other hand, continuous inkjet coding relies on tiny nozzles that create a continuous stream of ink droplets. By selectively deflecting these droplets onto the packaging surface using an electrical charge, characters, barcodes, and other markings are formed. Continuous inkjet coding provides versatility, high-speed performance, and compatibility with porous and non-porous materials.
When deciding between laser coding and continuous inkjet coding, several factors come into play:
Material Compatibility
Laser coding is a versatile solution that works well with various materials, including plastics, glass, metals, and more. Its ability to create permanent markings on different surfaces makes it suitable for a wide range of packaging applications. On the other hand, continuous inkjet coding is compatible with both porous and non-porous substrates. This means it can effectively code on materials such as paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, and even irregular surfaces.
Speed
Continuous inkjet coding systems are known for their high-speed capabilities, making them an excellent choice for high-volume production lines. The continuous stream of ink droplets allows for rapid marking, ensuring efficient coding in fast-paced manufacturing environments. Laser coding, while not as fast as continuous inkjet coding, offers precise and accurate printing. It may be more suitable for applications that require detailed and intricate designs, where speed is not the primary concern.
Print Quality
When it comes to print quality, laser coding shines with its ability to produce high-resolution and sharp prints. Laser coding can achieve fine details and crisp lines, ensuring a professional and visually appealing result. On the other hand, continuous inkjet coding excels in printing alphanumeric characters, barcodes, and simple graphics at very high speed and with good clarity. While it may not offer the same level of detail as laser coding, it delivers reliable and legible codes for product identification and traceability purposes.
Cost and Maintenance
In terms of cost and maintenance, continuous inkjet coding systems generally have lower upfront costs compared to laser coding systems. The equipment required for continuous inkjet coding tends to be more affordable, making it a cost-effective solution for businesses with budget constraints. However, it’s important to consider the ongoing cost of ink purchases, as continuous inkjet coding requires a steady supply of ink. Maintenance is another important factor. CIJ systems tend to need a lot of it. On the other hand, laser coding does not require consumables like ink which can result in lower long-term maintenance costs.
Final Thoughts
Coding on packaging is vital for product identification, regulatory compliance, brand promotion, consumer engagement, counterfeit prevention, supply chain efficiency, recall management, and data analytics. By understanding the differences between laser coding and continuous inkjet coding, businesses can choose the most suitable solution for their packaging requirements. Embracing the power of coding enables businesses to enhance product identification, comply with regulations, improve consumer confidence, and elevate their brand presence in today’s competitive marketplace.
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