Big Things in Small Packages:

2D Barcoding for Packaging and Product Identification

Recent participation in a customer's packaging and labeling workshop highlighted how easy it is to underestimate the challenges facing packaging engineers in addressing a wide and often conflicting range of requirements. Beyond shelf appeal and product branding the list of packaging requirements includes:

• Waste reduction and conversion to green materials
• Product protection during shipment and handling
• Anti-tampering and anti-counterfeiting
• Exposure barriers for product integity and suitability for use E.G. sterilization, potency and freshness

Product identification and labeling requirements place further constraints on packaging design. While the engineers strive for more compact and flexible packaging, label content and placement often force a compromise between optimal size and labeling real estate. Regulatory, industry and customer requirements dictate specific machine and human readable information be visible and positioned for quick identification with minimal handling. Companies who ship products to international markets are being mandated to provide label content and other documentation in specific languages—requiring yet more room for larger or supplementary labels.

2D Barcodes—Big Payload, Small Footprint

Reduced Space Symbologies (RSS) often called 2D barcodes significantly reduce the space needed for machine readable information and at same time improve efficiency and accuracy by decreasing the number of transactions needed to process a package for verification, inventory management or distribution. 2D barcodes are less susceptible to read errors due to damage or print quality, resulting in less disruption and greater usability over the life of the product. The small footprint of 2D barcodes means small parts can be direct marked using technologies such as laser etching storing information that becomes a permanent element of the part.

The data payload capacity and space required for 2D barcodes is truly impressive when compared to other barcode symbologies. While a linear barcode such as Code 39 or Code 128 can store approximately 6 characters per 1/4", a Data Matrix 2D barcode for example, can store 500 characters in a .10" x .10" square!

Code 39

Code 128

Data Matrix

Labeling standards using 2D symbologies have been established by various industry and international organizations including the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) and GS1. Current label design software supports creation of 2D barcodes and provides wizards to ensure proper formatting. Image scanners or cameras are required to read 2D barcodes and application software must be designed to separate individual data elements for use in various business transactions. While hardware and software is affordable and readily available, many companies with legacy systems do not have the infrastructure or processes to support 2D barcoding. You will need to work with your partners and customers to evaluate their readiness for 2D-enabled processes. If not already in place, consider an internal deployment first and then with the lesssons learned and results in hand, promote 2D initiatives with your suppliers and customers. Adherence to established standards will make it easier to garner support, expand usage within your supply chain and gain quicker access to new markets.

Close collaboration between packaging engineers and label designers is crucial for developing an approach that meets the divergent needs of product identification, safety, cost and sustainability. Labeling cannot be an afterthought when developing product packaging and a "One Size Fits All" strategy may not be feasible with your range of products. 2D barcodes provide a toolset for addressing some of the big challenges of small packaging and ever increasing content requirements.

To learn more about how Pragmatyxs can deliver solutions that enable your packaging objectives and support your product compliance and tracking needs see us at www.pragmatyxs.com

The Goods - our monthly e-newsletter offers practical tips about all aspects of material tracking and product compliance labeling.