There is an ever-increasing demand for information at both product and case levels in order to maximise traceability and speed up storage and logistics through automation. As a result, GS-128 barcodes have become the chosen and preferred standard for retail barcodes throughout the UK and worldwide.
We caught up with our Engineer, Dave Young, to find out more about GS1-128 barcodes, here’s what he had to say…
GS1-128 barcodes can encode more information than other options as it uses application identifiers (AI). This means that they are useful for automated traceability, with over 100 AI options available, allowing you to choose the most suitable information for your product and requirements.
Examples include:
With GS1-128 barcodes there are many benefits, but the printing requirements are more demanding. As an example, it is expected that they are printed in a high resolution with plenty of disparity between the print and packaging material.
With these strict requirements, we have seen increasing interest from businesses who require software solutions to avoid waste from misprinted information.
The first thing to consider is the packaging material. Print and apply labelling is the most popular option for GS1-128 barcodes, and can accommodate the most materials and shapes. This is because the product surface is least important when using labels, and in line with GS1-128 guidance you should use two labels and print on the front and side of the product. This can be effectively achieved with the Markem 2200 series labelling system that we supply. This option works effectively on curved/uneven surfaces and is the best option when it comes to labelling shrink-wrapped products/pallets.
A second option could be to apply a GS1-128 code using inkjet printers to print the barcode directly onto the packaging. This has the benefit of doing away with label costs. Things to consider if you wish to use inkjet printers include using a material that is light in colour, with a reflectance of 44 or higher. These materials include bamboo or material with low recycled content. It’s also important to choose a solution with solid inks and ensure it can print in 200dpi directly onto the cases. You could use a solid wax-based ink to ensure the code dries almost instantly.
Finally, if you have brown cardboard packaging you can still print GS1-128 codes onto it but you either need to use high optical density inks that we can supply, or print an area of white on the brown packaging first, before printing the barcode into the white area.
So, you now know how to generate a quality GS1-128 barcode onto your packaging but if the information that is encoded into the barcode is wrong then it’s pointless! Mistakes can be made and are generally down to human error, but to overcome this the Markem-Imaje coLOS Packaging Integrity software can be used. It’s an end-to-end software solution, and GS1-128 parameters are built into the software to inform of errors if production operators try to input information that is incorrect. The software can be integrated with company systems, allowing data to be exchanged between ERP systems and helps improve operational efficiency while checking that encoded data meets GS1-128 specifications.
With our channel partnership with Markem-Imaje, we’ve been helping manufacturers throughout the UK with their GS1-128 barcode printing. We supply the printing technology to deliver the GS1-128 compliant barcode onto your packaging, as well as the software to ensure the correct data is captured and mistakes are minimised.
Are you looking to use GS1-128 barcodes? Don’t know where to start? Contact us today, and we’d be more than happy to advise you.
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