Saturday, August 17, 2013

The Various Types Of Product Identification Labels

By Helga Stokes


Product identification is a wide category of labeling which includes functions such as brand protection, variable information tags and item traceability. Product identification labels are crucial in the face of a changing business environment. There's also the threat posed by counterfeit programs and theft.

Traceability makes it possible to track goods from the manufacturing process to the end of the supply chain. Ideally, products at any stage of this chain should be traceable in the reverse direction through various procedures. This makes it possible to trace raw ingredients to their sources. This facilitates quality improvement by pointing out the sources of any defects, especially during recalls. Traceability is made possible through the incorporation of batch numbers and bar codes.

Today, several kinds of barcoded are used. These include polyester, ceramic and aluminum tags. They can also be found in various customizable shapes and sizes and come with a range of adhesive backings. This system has several benefits. It aids people in identifying various items. Prices and other relevant details can also be included in the codes to simplify handling at points of sale at the end of the supply chain. Other advantages include consistency, speed, economy and accuracy.

Vinyl and polyester markers can be made using special printers. These are ideal for tracking items where security is not a top priority. In some situations, special tags are used to adhere to industry-specific identification needs. For instance, detectable tags are used in the food processing sector where contaminants need to be identified fast. If tiny parts of the tag get into the product or if it gets misapplied/damaged, it is easy to discover.

In some industrial procedures, provisional tags are used. Most of them are usually magnetic and repositionable as well. This makes it easy to remove and placed when there's need to do so.

However, these kinds of tags can be removed or counterfeited easily. Different markers are thus used when there's a need to maintain brand reputation. They can also be used for valuable items that stand a higher risk of getting stolen or counterfeited. You can find custom tags that include a watermark which is visible exclusively under UV light. This renders the tags impossible to duplicate.

There are other tags which cannot be reused or removed. When handwritten information has to be added to a tag in a secure manner, there are special tapes for this purpose. The information is embossed in a manner which makes it impossible to change or erase.

Where variable information needs to be displayed, there are special tags for that. These can be used to show manufacture and expiry dates, batch ID codes, location of manufacture and lot numbers. This is usually written as numerals and text, bar codes or by combining the two. These tags also enable traceability as well.

If there's need to withstand severe conditions, there are special markers that are specifically used for durable items. Metallized poly tapes are usually used as they are easy to make and offer a brushed metallic look. You can find these in aluminum, silver and gold. Others are designed to withstand corrosive chemicals. These can be found in equipment that's frequently cleaned using strong detergents. To secure such product identification labels, special adhesives which stick to various surfaces such as fabric and wood are used.




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