Barcode print management

Barcode technology is a widely used method for automatic identification and input of electronic computer data in the world, and is a management tool for improving work efficiency. The quality of bar coded prints affects the sales as much as the quality of the product itself. Qualified bar code symbols are necessary guarantees for the POS system to perform automated management. We have seen the relevant departments implement the printing company's bar code sign printing qualification accreditation system, and test the trial printing and formal printing of the test products and products to ensure the quality of bar code printing. However, the situation after this is easily overlooked. After a certain part of the product's bar code has been printed by a printing company, it has been tested as a qualified product. However, after the use of the system members and the circulation of the product into the hands of the merchant, it has become a non-conforming product and should cause system members to Pay attention.

There are usually the following situations:

Product appearance design is incorrect

Commonly beverages, especially polyester bottled beverages, have bumps and flats. The bar code symbol is usually printed on a plastic label. After the label is affixed to the bottle, the shape of the bottle becomes bumpy and wrinkled, causing the bar code symbol. Cannot read correctly. In this case, the shape of the bottle should be designed to ensure that the label is smooth.

Bar code printing position is incorrect

In some bags of goods, the bar code symbol is printed near the edge of the bag. Even though the inspection is qualified after printing, after the content is loaded, deformation or wrinkling occurs and the bar code cannot be read correctly. The correct method is to avoid the joints and deformed parts when designing the bar code position. It is better to observe the flat part after loading the content in the bag, and then print the bar code symbol at this position.

In some boxed products, the bar code was qualified when the box was flat. However, when the carton was folded, some of the bar code symbols were masked, or there were insufficient left and right white spaces. This should be fully considered when designing the bar code position.

In order to pursue product upgrades, most products are covered with heat-shrinkable film, which also results in unacceptable barcodes.
After the heat shrinkable film shrinks by heat, it cannot be flattened and crumpled at the corner of the product, and the bar code symbol at this position cannot be correctly read.

Some goods, especially children's goods, are marked with small toys on the heat shrinkable film to attract customers. Commonly, bubble gum puts three-dimensional crystal glue, which often obscures part or all of the bar code symbol, making it impossible to read. .

The labeling of other contents on the product causes the barcode to be unqualified. Commonly, the food is marked with the production date, production batch number, shelf life, etc.:
Incorrectly marked on the bar code symbol.

Boxed foods use pad printing ink and are marked with hand-printing machines. Some bar code positions are designed on the other side corresponding to the marked date. However, it takes a while for pad printing inks to dry after printing. It takes 2 to 5 seconds for the ink and 5 seconds or more for the slow-drying ink. When the box is pushed after the date is marked, the dry ink will contaminate the bar code symbol on the other box, and the amount of contamination will be accumulated to form a stain and cannot be correctly read. This should be taken into consideration when designing the bar code position.

When frozen foods, such as ice cream, are removed from the special products, the surfaces of the frozen foods condense a thin layer of ice due to the low temperature, and the bar code symbol is completely or partially covered, making it impossible to read correctly. These kinds of goods are seasonal and short-term and should use in-store codes.

In short, to ensure the quality of barcode prints, it is necessary not only to control the printing process of barcodes.

Source: 21st Century Fine Chemicals Network