Printing consistent quality codes on bottles, cans and kegs helps beer manufacturers meet requirements and growing demand
As projections for growth continue for the beer industry, beer manufacturers must rely on both their brewing equipment and their coding and labeling solutions to help meet supply chain requirements and keep their operations moving smoothly. Incorrect and unreadable product information on packaging can cause costly downtime, recalls and fines, while disrupting both packaging lines and the entire supply chain.
Videojet Technologies, a global leader in coding, marking and printing, examines beer manufacturers’ printing and labeling needs and offers solutions to help streamline operations and keep production lines running efficiently.
The needs of the craft brewery industry
Regulations require beer labels to display critical information like alcohol content, allergens and warnings, which are often pre-printed on labels and cans. However, variable data, such as batch numbers, expiration dates, serial numbers, bar codes and QR codes, is often added to beverage containers on filling and packaging lines, helping to meet retailer and consumer demands and enable product tracking and traceability.
Ensuring clear, accurate and compliant codes and labeling can be challenging, especially when printing at the high line speeds of the beverage industry. Glass bottles, aluminum cans, kegs, cartons and cases can all be printed or marked on during production if careful consideration is given to the printing surface, production environment and compatibility with the chosen coding technology.
Harsh conditions in beer production facilities often includes extreme temperatures and humidity, along with dust and other airborne contaminants. In cold fill applications, condensation can pose challenges for some manufacturers as they apply information and codes directly onto bottles, cans, kegs and other packaging.
Printing and labeling solution selection
Selecting the ideal printing and labeling solution is critical for manufacturers. Videojet recommends three key technologies to consider for printing and marking on beer products and packaging:
Continuous inkjet
Continuous inkjet (CIJ) technology prints variable text directly onto virtually any type of packaging, including glass and plastic bottles, aluminum cans and kegs. CIJ printers are frequently used for single and double-line codes such as expiration dates, lot and batch numbers and other production data. CIJ printers can also produce accurate, trackable codes designed to resist condensation and remain readable across the product’s life cycle. Specialized inks, like those that are removable with a caustic wash, are available for printing codes on returnable bottles and kegs. Other unique inks, such as soft-pigmented yellow inks, are engineered for printing on dark surfaces like beer bottles.
Laser marking
Laser marking offers a nice alternative to ink-based printing as it generates permanent, high-quality codes with minimal supplies. Lasers mark clear alphanumeric text, bar codes and logos on cans, bottles, cartons and cases, and they can accommodate most line speeds and product sizes.
Like inkjet codes, laser codes are ideal for both internal and external supply chain tracking, in addition to meeting the expectations of retailers, regulators and consumers for human-readable “best before” dates and other information on beverage containers. Depending on factors like the packaging material, line speed and code requirements, CO2, UV or fiber lasers may be selected to mark on products coated with condensation.
Print and apply labeling
Print and apply labelers accurately adhere labels printed with high-resolution text, bar codes and logos onto cases, pallets and stretch wrap. Some labelers feature corner wrap applicators, ideal for cases or shrink-wrapped products where the label must be applied across adjacent panels so the label’s content can be seen in various orientations.
Meeting the need of the growing brewery industry
“The information printed on beer packaging is only as good as the coding solution used and a code’s ability to withstand the rigors of production and distribution,” said Heidi Wright, senior director of field product marketing and business development for Videojet. “Beverage companies often favor CIJ and laser marking systems for their speed, reliability in harsh environments, and versatility across glass, aluminum, and plastic containers. Modern printing, coding and labeling equipment meets the beer industry’s specific needs for code content, resolution, contrast and adhesion, while seamlessly integrating with existing lines for smooth and efficient operation.”
Videojet will showcase its printing and coding solutions for the beer industry at BeerX in Liverpool, March 13-14 (booth #95) and the New York State Brewery Show on March 20-22 (booth #103/104).
Videojet understands the unique needs of the beverage industry. To learn more, please visit the Videojet beverage solutions page.
