Choosing the Right Technology and Placement for PET Bottle

Every packaging needs the right technology for coding and marking (printing expiration dates, barcodes, or batch numbers), especially so for PET bottles (Polyethylene Terephthalate). Because you need to make sure the product information is easy to read and keep things moving smoothly on the production line.

Read on to find the best coding technology for your packaging and how to place the codes so everything stays on track.

Why PET Bottle Coding and Marking Matter?

The right technology will also assist you with tracking your products, building your brand, and meeting regulatory requirements. Proper coding and marking is essential for a lot of reasons, such as:

Tracking Products

Codes like batch numbers and expiration dates let you keep track of where each bottle is in the process. If there’s ever an issue, you can quickly figure out where it came from and fix it.

Staying Legal

Many industries (like food, drinks, and medicine) have rules about what needs to be printed on the bottles. Proper coding makes sure you follow those rules and avoid any fines or trouble.

Managing Inventory

Codes help you keep track of your stock. With barcodes, you can easily see what’s on the shelf and what needs to be restocked. Also, it’s way quicker to check products in and out, ship them, or scan them at checkout when you use barcodes.

Building Trust

When bottles are clearly marked, customers can easily see important information or labels like expiration dates or ingredients. That helps them trust your product is safe and fresh.

How PET Bottle Coding Is Used Across Industries?

Coding and marking on PET packaging are used across a wide range of industries, and here’s how:

Food and Drinks

Coding ensures that ingredients, allergens, and nutritional information for food and drinks are visible and traceable. This helps keep track of freshness and ensures that customers get safe, quality products.

Pharmaceuticals

For medicines and health products, clear codes on bottles are used to meet strict regulations. Codes can show things like the manufacturing date, expiry date, and even ingredients, making it easier to keep everything compliant and safe.

Cosmetics and Personal Care

In cosmetics, coding is used to track the production and shelf life of products. This helps prevent expired or damaged goods from getting to the customer, and it ensures everything is properly labeled with the right information.

Household Products

For things like cleaning supplies or detergents, coding helps with inventory management and ensures that every product has the right details printed on it, like warnings, use-by dates, or batch info.

How to Choose the Best Coding Technology for PET Bottles?

Choosing the right coding technology for PET packaging depends on several factors, including:

Printing Technology

There are three types that are commonly used for printing labels on PET packaging. They are:

• Inkjet Printers: Most popular coding solutions, providing high-quality, high-speed, and flexible printing for batch codes, expiration dates, and barcodes. They can handle both small and large production runs efficiently.
• Laser Marking: Use focused light to etch codes directly onto the surface of the PET bottle. It’s highly durable, and codes won’t smudge or wear off.
• Thermal Transfer Printing (TTO): Uses heat to transfer ink onto the bottle’s surface and is commonly used for high-resolution text, barcodes, and graphics. It works best for small and medium-scale operations.

Read About: Industrial Inkjet Printer Manufacturers: The Essential Guide for Your Business Needs

Speed and Volume of Production

High-speed, high-volume production lines typically require coding technologies that can keep pace with the fast-moving bottles, such as inkjet printers or laser systems. For slower production lines, where high resolution is necessary, thermal transfer printers might be a more economical choice.

Code Quality and Durability

The clarity and durability of the code are important for ensuring they remain legible throughout the product’s lifecycle. Laser marking provides highly durable codes that resist smudging, while inkjet printers provide high-definition printing with fast drying times.

Environmental Impact

Some coding technologies, like laser marking, have the advantage of not using consumables (e.g., inks or solvents). It makes them more environmentally friendly. In contrast, inkjet systems require frequent cartridge or ink replacements.

Where to Place Barcodes on PET Bottles for Maximum Impact?

Barcodes should be positioned to avoid issues during scanning. So, place them in areas where scanners can easily reach them. This means not too close to the bottle’s curve or the label’s edges. A flat, clear surface works best.

You also need to avoid overlapping the barcodes with your company branding or product information. Many companies choose to place barcodes near the bottom of the bottle, especially if they are using automatic scanning systems.

If your barcode is also used for promotions or loyalty programs, consider placing it somewhere visible to consumers, so they can easily scan it if needed.

In conclusion, getting the coding technology right can save you time, money, and further hassle. It will depend on your packaging needs, and the right placement will ensure your PET bottle codes are easy to scan and don’t interfere with your brand. 

 

References

https://maplejet.com/news/the-bottlenecks-of-pet-bottle-coding-and-marking/

https://leibinger-group.com/applications/marking-coding-pet-bottles 

https://www.rnmark.com/bottle-coder/ 

https://www.codipack.com/en/blog/coding-and-marking-of-pet-bottles/ 

https://www.industrialprinterservices.co.uk/blog/plastic-bottle-coding-a-guide-to-printing-on-pet/#:~:text=Plastic%20bottle%20coding%20involves%20the,quality%20of%20the%20packaged%20contents.