Efficiency is paramount, especially for fast paced production lines where time plays a crucial role. Whatever industry you specialise in, accurate tracking of products is essential – this is where date coding comes in as a vital component to your product’s packaging by ensuring consumer safety and product traceability, as well as meeting legal requirements.
What is date coding?
A simple question to answer – the marking of a product with a date. This could be for numerous reasons, but a date code often includes information about the products production, expiry, and best before dates.
Why use date coding?
Date coding is a critical aspect of the manufacturing and distribution processes. By implementing effective date coding systems, businesses can uphold regulatory compliance, improve quality control, enhance inventory management, and ensure consumer trust and safety. This is particularly important for the food and beverage and pharmaceutical industry, where consumer safety can be comprised if there’s a problem.
How to approach date coding?
If you’re looking to start or improve your date coding process, one of the first steps would be to ensure you’ve selected the ideal coding and marking option that meets your requirements and can be integrated with your production line. There are many options out there including continuous inkjet (CIJ), thermal inkjet (TIJ) and laser coding.
Considering maintenance, budget, quality, printing speeds, and the production environment, among other things, are essential before making your choice.
Are you looking to improve your date coding? ATD can help you find the perfect fit for your coding and marking requirements. Just give us a call today on 01858 461 014 or contact us via our website form.
