Traceability: Giving every product an authentic identity
• Thermal transfer—For lower speed off-press applications, thermal transfer printers are ideal for printing variable data on labels or bags. Thermal transfer ribbon can also contain security features (such as fluorescing additives).
Like any print technology, VDP is subject to print quality variability. Good process control and feedback loops for code quality validation are essential. Bar codes, for example, must meet standard quality specifications to ensure downstream readability (e.g., ISO/IEC 15415). A clogged printhead, dirty laser lens, or crumpled thermal ribbon can lead to unreadable codes. Scrapped labels with codes may need to be reprinted or digitally scrapped out. Splicing techniques need to preserve sequences and continuity of codes.
