In industrial marking and coding, an application refers to the specific set of conditions under which a product or package must be marked. This includes factors such as the production environment (e.g., temperature, humidity, cleanliness), product or packaging shape and size, substrate material (e.g., plastic, glass, metal), line speed, and the type of code or information required (e.g., date codes, barcodes, logos). Understanding the application is essential for selecting the appropriate coding technology to help ensure reliable, legible, and compliant marks.
Bagging machines automate the dosing and packaging of products like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, and even hardware into sealed composite film bags. They streamline the filling and sealing process for a wide range of products.
A barcode (sometimes called bar code) is a machine-readable, alphanumerical code represented by lines, bars, dots, or squares that stores product information such as expiry date, batch number, and processing date, enabling efficient traceability and data retrieval through optical readers. It can be printed in linear (1D) or two-dimensional (2D) formats, with 2D codes offering higher data storage capacity.
Direct Part Marking (DPM) is a highly reliable method of permanently applying traceable identification directly onto the surface of a part or product. Using techniques such as laser etching, inkjet printing, or dot peen, DPM ensures critical data—like serial numbers, barcodes, or QR codes—remains intact throughout the part's lifecycle, even in harsh environments. Commonly used in industries like automotive, aerospace, and medical devices.
A GS1 DataMatrix is a type of 2D barcode that encodes data using GS1 global standards, enabling the secure and standardized identification of products across the supply chain. It can contain a Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) along with additional information such as expiration dates, batch/lot numbers, and serial numbers, all within a compact, square symbol. This code is especially useful for small or curved packaging, and is widely used in pharmaceutical, medical device, and food industries for traceability and regulatory compliance.
Industrial printing technique used to apply large, bold, legible codes, logos, or text onto large surfaces or packaging, such as shipping cartons and cases.
A QR Code (Quick Response Code) is a type of 2D barcode capable of storing a large amount of data in a compact, square format. In the marking and coding industry, QR codes are used to encode information such as URLs, product details, traceability data, batch numbers, and promotional content, making them ideal for both consumer engagement and supply chain visibility. They are readable by smartphones and industrial scanners, and can be printed on a wide range of substrates using inkjet, laser, or thermal transfer technologies.
A stick pack is a long, narrow, tubular flexible pouch sealed at both short ends with a long seal running along the back (fin or lap seal), creating a slim, easy-pour format for single-serve products. These packages are typically produced on multi-lane vertical form, fill, and seal (VFFS) stick pack machines and usually use significantly less packaging material (often around 30–40% less) than comparable flat sachets, making them attractive for high-volume applications and material savings.
A sachet is a small, flat flexible pouch usually sealed on three or four sides, forming a pillow-like pack that can accommodate a wide variety of product formats including liquids, creams, gels, powders, and small solids. Sachets are produced on vertical or horizontal form, fill, and seal equipment or filled as pre-made pouches, and while they generally use more material per pack than stick formats, they offer a greater surface area for branding, usage instructions, and regulatory information.
A unique identifier for medical devices, combining static product details with dynamic production data like batch numbers or expiration dates. It must appear on the product in both plain text and a machine-readable format, typically using codes like DataMatrix, GS1-128, or Code 128.
