Printing GS1 Barcode on Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices | Coding on Medicines
Perhaps to a greater degree than other industries, pharmaceutical and medical device packaging demands the highest quality variable coding. Legibility and contrast are non-negotiable when it comes to regulatory and traceability codes and high read-rate bar codes such as gs1 barcode. In addition to a broad range of serialization ready coding solutions, Videojet can provide IQ/OQ validation packages and printers that facilitate adherence to 21 CFR Part II technical controls to help meet your documentation needs.
- Applications
- Line Integrations
- Documents
- Overview
- Carton
- Bottle
- Label
- Vial and Ampule
- Flexible Material
- Case
Fluid based, non-contact printing of up to five lines of text, linear and 2D bar codes, or graphics, printed on a variety of packaging types including stationary packaging via traversing systems.
Thermal Transfer Overprinting (TTO)
A digitally controlled printhead precisely melts ink from a ribbon directly onto flexible films to provide high resolution, real-time prints.
Ink-based, non-contact printing using heat and surface tension to move ink onto a package surface. Generally used to print 2D DataMatrix and other bar codes.
Ink-based, non-contact printing of multiple data types (alphanumeric, logos and bar codes) in large sizes primarily used for secondary packaging such as cases.
A beam of infrared light focused and steered with a series of carefully controlled small mirrors to create marks where the heat of the beam interacts with the packaging surface.
Label Printer Applicator (LPA)
Prints and places labels of various sizes on multiple package types.
Laser Marking Systems
- simple and clean method of marking text, bar codes or image while utilizing virtually no consumables
- create entirely permanent codes and can often mark multiple adjacent products during indexing
Thermal Ink Jet (TIJ)
- pharmaceutical and medical industry standard for marking porous carton materials
- prints at a higher resolution than other ink-based systems
- high performance inks ideal for pharmaceutical applications
Continuous Ink Jet (CIJ)
- versatile coding method, particularly when paired with a wide offering of specialized ink formulations
- adheres to virtually all common carton materials, including those with non-porous or water-resistant coatings
There are two ways to obtain even higher quality bar codes using lasers on white pharmaceutical cartons. (1) Ask your carton converter to add Calcium Carbonate or Aluminum Oxide to the underlying white paperboard coating so the contrast of the marking is higher. (2) Apply a clear, laser reactive coating solution to the cartons in a defined area during production, allowing a laser to produce a color-change effect and yielding a high-contrast black code against a white background.
Continuous Ink Jet (CIJ)
- highly flexible coding solution for marking bottles
- a wide range of visible inks, special UV or IR visible inks in addition to a range of invisible inks can be used for covert marking to aid brand protection efforts
Laser Marking Systems
- an effective method for creating indelible marks directly on the surface of the bottle or cap
- using small mirrors or galvos to direct a laser beam, laser marking technology can engrave directly onto plastic bottles or ablate the top layer of ink on labels
Thermal Transfer Overprinting (TTO)
- a simple method of direct contact coding on labels before application to the bottle or package
- seamless integration and robust bracketry
- high resolution printing ideal for bar codes, high content codes, and product information
Continuous Ink Jet (CIJ)
- simple integration of the small marking printhead and flexible umbilical hose into labeling equipment
- with a wide variety of inks, CIJ enables printing on both paper and plastic label stocks and offers color variety depending on desired contrast
Laser Marking Systems
- may be utilized to ablate specially pre-printed dark “mark windows” on labels
- offer crisp codes and low operating costs from limited required consumables
Thermal Ink Jet (TIJ)
- ideal method for marking labels prior to application
- offers high code quality and contrast while delivering complex 2D or DataMatrix codes
- small printhead integrates easily into label application equipment
The importance of integration
High quality codes require precise material handling and rigid, vibration-free coder mounting. This becomes particularly relevant when marking complex DataMatrix codes. Before installing a new line or coding system, make sure to evaluate if your product conveyance provides smooth vibration-free movement of your packaging.
Continuous Ink Jet (CIJ)
- an effective marking technology for glass vials
- use sophisticated software to help ensure high drop placement accuracy, which is especially critical for small 2D codes
- autoclave resistant, visible and UV inks can be used for brite stocking applications
Laser Marking Systems
- Videojet possesses one of the broadest laser portfolios in the industry
- Videojet engineers can help select among CO2 lasers, Fiber lasers and UV lasers for the ideal mark on your packaging
- fiber lasers can be employed to mark on the vial crimping
Thermal Ink Jet (TIJ)
- features a small, high resolution printhead optimal for printing on porous and semi-porous materials
- multiple printheads mounted in an array or integrated into a traversing system can be used for marking web-fed materials
Thermal Transfer Overprinting (TTO)
- may be integrated into the web handling of packaging systems with bracketry specific to each packaging equipment OEM
- offers high resolution, wide format printing of alphanumerics, bar codes, and simple one-color icons
Laser Marking Systems
- can be used for marking a variety of blister lidding materials
- a properly specified and installed laser marking system can easily mark multiple lanes with high quality codes
The multi-lane configuration used for packaging pharmaceutical and medical device products creates unique integration challenges. Videojet’s Wolke brand TIJ printers drive multiple printheads with one controller, enabling coding of multiple packages with one printer. In addition, Videojet CO2 lasers offer large marking fields that enable the laser to engage multiple lanes in either intermittent or continuous motion applications.
Improve supply chain efficiency and save money
Printing lot, batch and supplier-specific information clearly on the case creates a traceability point visible to all supply chain participants – providing rapid identification in case of recall. Where not precluded by local standards such as HDMA, printing this information directly on the case simplifies packaging by helping standardize to generic packaging.
Label Printer Applicator (LPA)
- standard way to identify product for delivery to trading partners
- automated labeling solutions can significantly reduce mislabeling and poor readability for optimum routing and tracking
- automatic application of labels on-demand to cases is faster and more consistent than hand-labeling and helps eliminate potential mislabeling
Large Character Marking (LCM)
- prints information directly on the case including scannable bar codes
- very cost-effective and dependable
- eliminates the cost, stocking and management of labels, as well as the need for customer-specific pre-printed cases
Thermal Ink Jet (TIJ)
- high resolution printing directly on the case
- high resolution printhead can be stacked to create large images on the sides of cases and other porous substrates
- Cartoner
- Checkweigher
- SidegripConveyor
- Bottle Labeler
- Vial/AmpuleStarwheel
- Thermoformer
Coding may occur in several locations, either integrated into the cartoner itself or on the outfeed conveyor. Printing may also occur upstream of the cartoner on the primary pack as required.
Fluid based, non-contact printing of up to five lines of text, linear and 2D bar codes, or graphics, printed on a variety of packaging types including stationary packaging via traversing systems.
Ink-based, non-contact printing using heat and surface tension to move ink onto a package surface. Generally used to print 2D DataMatrix and other bar codes.
Code integration with checkweighing equipment leverages the checkweigher’s precise material handling to improve overall print and DataMatrix quality.
Ink-based, non-contact printing using heat and surface tension to move ink onto a package surface. Generally used to print 2D DataMatrix and other bar codes.
A beam of infrared light focused and steered with a series of carefully controlled small mirrors to create marks where the heat of the beam interacts with the packaging surface.
Simple coder integration with a sidegrip conveyor allows for marking of either visible or covert codes on the top or bottom of pharmaceutical bottles. Downstream code verification can be easily accommodated while the bottle is engaged by the conveyor.
Fluid based, non-contact printing of up to five lines of text, linear and 2D bar codes, or graphics, printed on a variety of packaging types including stationary packaging via traversing systems.
Several coding technologies can be utilized for contact or non-contact marking of the label before application. Precise label control facilitates high quality alphanumeric and bar code printing.
Ink-based, non-contact printing using heat and surface tension to move ink onto a package surface. Generally used to print 2D DataMatrix and other bar codes.
Thermal Transfer Overprinting (TTO)
A digitally controlled printhead precisely melts ink from a ribbon directly onto flexible films to provide high resolution, real-time prints.
Drop placement accuracy is critical for traceability codes placed on small pharmaceutical packaging, common in brite stocking applications. The highly precise motion of the starwheel offers the ideal material handling for this application.
Fluid based, non-contact printing of up to five lines of text, linear and 2D bar codes, or graphics, printed on a variety of packaging types including stationary packaging via traversing systems.
Precise mechanical and controls integration helps ensure high quality marking on web-based materials, including blister lidding foils and other barrier films.
Ink-based, non-contact printing using heat and surface tension to move ink onto a package surface. Generally used to print 2D DataMatrix and other bar codes.
- Brochures
- Application Notes
- Case Studies
- White Paper
Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Brochure
Coding innovations driven by pharmaceutical regulations
Unique Device Identification Infographic
Vial Traceability Application Note
Technology Solutions for UDI Compliance
High Quality Codes on Labels Application Note
Applying variable data
directly onto DuPont™ Tyvek®
Romaco Case Study
Piramal Healthcare Case Study
Packaging Serialization White Paper
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Applying variable data
directly onto DuPont™ Tyvek®
Featured Download
Vial Traceability App Note
