Data Matrix Barcode Printing
In early June, Peshta printed the first IML packaging batch with Data Matrix Barcode with success.
Alexey Busygin, Senior Sales Manager, gave a short interview and answered the most popular questions about labeling.
Alexey, could you tell us why labeling is necessary at all, what kind of advantages does it provide?
Labeling is essential primarily for consumer safety and health. The lawfulness of purchased labeled goods stirs no doubt. Using a special app, consumers can report about illegal products, and this information will be transmitted to a relevant supervisory body.
Legal manufacturers and importers, taking part in the national commodity labeling system, enjoy growing revenues and gain a competitive edge due to less counterfeit and smuggling. Businesses are able to trace product flows and save on logistics by better reorganizing supplies and stocks based on up-to-date stats on sales seasonal trends, intensity and market reach. This results in reduced costs and boosted labor productivity.
At the national level, commodity labeling means shrinking "shadow" market, increased tax and customs duty revenues, and fewer costs of commodity market control.
So it turns out that all businesses need labeling?
Not quite. According to official data, almost all consumer goods, which are made and imported, must be labeled by 2024. The situation in hand is like this:
2020:
Tobacco
Footwear
Medicines
Perfume & eau de toilette
Cameras & accessories
Wheels & tires
2021:
Some types of clothing, bed linen and towels - January 1, 2021.
Ice cream and cheese - June 1, 2021
Bicycles and frames - September 1, 2021
Dairy with over 40-day shelf life - September 1, 2021
Mineral water - December 1, 2021
Dairy with less than 40-day shelf life - September 1, 2021
2022:
Other drinking water - March 1, 2022
Farm dairy - December 1, 2022
With the existing trend, I am sure that almost all businesses need to get ready for labeling.
Alexey, could you tell our readers about how Data Matrix Barcode works?
Data Matrix digital code features two parts — an ID code that identifies a product in the system, and a verification code or cryptotail generated at the Center for Advanced Technology Development (CRPT) individually for each product. Digital Data Matrix codes ensure traceability throughout the whole product lifecycle — from conveyor to store. A series of unique codes cannot be predicted, and the digital code itself will not be repeated for 5 years after the item sale. The system records all product data, they cannot be deleted or corrected due to domestic cryptotechnologies.
Why can't manufacturers use QR codes instead of Data Matrix? Are there any differences?
Data Matrix Barcode is more reliable in terms of error correction.
Data Matrix can contain up to 2,335 characters of letters and numbers, and QR codes can consist of up to 4,296 characters. Yet, Data Matrix is 30-60% smaller than QR (according to independent tests). The minimum recommended size for printed Data Matrix is 10*10 mm, for QR — 28*28 mm..
It seems there are specific requirements for correct layouts related to Data Matrix printing?
Sure, there are. Here are some of them:
- Mandatory empty white field for a code with neither design elements nor any background.
- To ensure maximum contrast of print on transparent and metallized materials, it is necessary to use white opaque paint as a substrate for empty white fields.
- the recommended code size is 12.0-14.76 mm,
- the minimum empty white field ranges from 14.4 mm (for 12 mm codes) to 17.712 mm (for 14.76 mm codes).
It is also crucial to place code fields on flat packaging sections without any stiffeners and other structural peculiarities. This is essential for code readability.
We always provide our customers with a complete list of printing requirements. In case of any queries, we always consult them and, if possible, give advice. An important step here is to prepare the layout containing Data Matrix for correct printing.
Could you describe the process of code printing at Peshta?
Codes are printed on digital printing equipment simultaneously with the overall design. Then codes are varnished against mechanical impacts on packaged goods.
Alexey, is it possible to print codes on any materials at Peshta?
We can print codes on materials such as tube laminate, wrap-around label film, IML label film and self-adhesive labels.
How do you check whether a code is readable?
The readability is verified via synthetic vision installed by CRPT on the printing equipment. Synthetic vision generates a report with a code readability category. At the next process stages, labels with unreadable codes are removed and excluded from the printing report.
Customers get products with guaranteed top-quality readable codes and a respective printing report.
Are there any advantages for customers concerning Data Matrix Barcode printing at Peshta?
Customers obtain final reports on Data Matrix Barcode printing. Also, one of our advantages is code varnishing..
The simultaneous code and overall design printing come in very handy. This reduces lead time and reject rates.
Among other things, there is no need to order stickers separately and put in place code printers on finished products.
A question bothering many is whether orders with code printing take longer time?
Well, the process becomes more complex with more printing ahead, i.e. printing with Data Matrix takes longer than without it.
The lead time depends on the printing schedule only.
Is a trial batch possible??
Trial printing is not only possible, but also recommended to verify readability if labeling is printed on different packaging sections. Readability is guaranteed if codes are printed on flat surfaces without stiffeners with maximum contrast.
To wrap it up, our main question is how to place an order for label printing at Peshta?
To begin with, you need to be connected to the labeling system, request codes from CRPT and provide them to us together with a design adapted for code printing.
Finally, give us a call or send an email to finalize your order :)
Alexey Busygin, Senior Sales Manager, gave a short interview and answered the most popular questions about labeling.
Alexey, could you tell us why labeling is necessary at all, what kind of advantages does it provide?
Labeling is essential primarily for consumer safety and health. The lawfulness of purchased labeled goods stirs no doubt. Using a special app, consumers can report about illegal products, and this information will be transmitted to a relevant supervisory body.
Legal manufacturers and importers, taking part in the national commodity labeling system, enjoy growing revenues and gain a competitive edge due to less counterfeit and smuggling. Businesses are able to trace product flows and save on logistics by better reorganizing supplies and stocks based on up-to-date stats on sales seasonal trends, intensity and market reach. This results in reduced costs and boosted labor productivity.
At the national level, commodity labeling means shrinking "shadow" market, increased tax and customs duty revenues, and fewer costs of commodity market control.
So it turns out that all businesses need labeling?
Not quite. According to official data, almost all consumer goods, which are made and imported, must be labeled by 2024. The situation in hand is like this:
2020:
Tobacco
Footwear
Medicines
Perfume & eau de toilette
Cameras & accessories
Wheels & tires
2021:
Some types of clothing, bed linen and towels - January 1, 2021.
Ice cream and cheese - June 1, 2021
Bicycles and frames - September 1, 2021
Dairy with over 40-day shelf life - September 1, 2021
Mineral water - December 1, 2021
Dairy with less than 40-day shelf life - September 1, 2021
2022:
Other drinking water - March 1, 2022
Farm dairy - December 1, 2022
With the existing trend, I am sure that almost all businesses need to get ready for labeling.
Alexey, could you tell our readers about how Data Matrix Barcode works?
Data Matrix digital code features two parts — an ID code that identifies a product in the system, and a verification code or cryptotail generated at the Center for Advanced Technology Development (CRPT) individually for each product. Digital Data Matrix codes ensure traceability throughout the whole product lifecycle — from conveyor to store. A series of unique codes cannot be predicted, and the digital code itself will not be repeated for 5 years after the item sale. The system records all product data, they cannot be deleted or corrected due to domestic cryptotechnologies.
Why can't manufacturers use QR codes instead of Data Matrix? Are there any differences?
Data Matrix Barcode is more reliable in terms of error correction.
Data Matrix can contain up to 2,335 characters of letters and numbers, and QR codes can consist of up to 4,296 characters. Yet, Data Matrix is 30-60% smaller than QR (according to independent tests). The minimum recommended size for printed Data Matrix is 10*10 mm, for QR — 28*28 mm..
It seems there are specific requirements for correct layouts related to Data Matrix printing?
Sure, there are. Here are some of them:
- Mandatory empty white field for a code with neither design elements nor any background.
- To ensure maximum contrast of print on transparent and metallized materials, it is necessary to use white opaque paint as a substrate for empty white fields.
- the recommended code size is 12.0-14.76 mm,
- the minimum empty white field ranges from 14.4 mm (for 12 mm codes) to 17.712 mm (for 14.76 mm codes).
It is also crucial to place code fields on flat packaging sections without any stiffeners and other structural peculiarities. This is essential for code readability.
We always provide our customers with a complete list of printing requirements. In case of any queries, we always consult them and, if possible, give advice. An important step here is to prepare the layout containing Data Matrix for correct printing.
Could you describe the process of code printing at Peshta?
Codes are printed on digital printing equipment simultaneously with the overall design. Then codes are varnished against mechanical impacts on packaged goods.
Alexey, is it possible to print codes on any materials at Peshta?
We can print codes on materials such as tube laminate, wrap-around label film, IML label film and self-adhesive labels.
How do you check whether a code is readable?
The readability is verified via synthetic vision installed by CRPT on the printing equipment. Synthetic vision generates a report with a code readability category. At the next process stages, labels with unreadable codes are removed and excluded from the printing report.
Customers get products with guaranteed top-quality readable codes and a respective printing report.
Are there any advantages for customers concerning Data Matrix Barcode printing at Peshta?
Customers obtain final reports on Data Matrix Barcode printing. Also, one of our advantages is code varnishing..
The simultaneous code and overall design printing come in very handy. This reduces lead time and reject rates.
Among other things, there is no need to order stickers separately and put in place code printers on finished products.
A question bothering many is whether orders with code printing take longer time?
Well, the process becomes more complex with more printing ahead, i.e. printing with Data Matrix takes longer than without it.
The lead time depends on the printing schedule only.
Is a trial batch possible??
Trial printing is not only possible, but also recommended to verify readability if labeling is printed on different packaging sections. Readability is guaranteed if codes are printed on flat surfaces without stiffeners with maximum contrast.
To wrap it up, our main question is how to place an order for label printing at Peshta?
To begin with, you need to be connected to the labeling system, request codes from CRPT and provide them to us together with a design adapted for code printing.
Finally, give us a call or send an email to finalize your order :)
