The food manufacturing industry is heavily regulated and scrutinized intensively. In this scene, there is a need for extensive documentation and labeling. Traditional printers have been used in the past, but the benefits of direct thermal labels have led to an increased popularity of thermal printers in food manufacturing.
Thermal printers are faster than traditional printers, producing higher quality work that is more fade-resistant. This is perfect for food manufacturing companies with many products on conveyor belts that would smudge the packaging.
Creative uses of direct thermal labels in food manufacturing
Direct thermal labels are applied in many creative ways in food manufacturing companies. Here are a few of them.
1. Product labeling and packaging: Food manufacturers must label adequately due to the sensitivity of their products. This requires smudge and fade-resistant printing to ensure the print remains legible till it gets to the consumer.
These labels contain important information like nutrition details, expiry dates, allergen warnings, and batch codes.
2. Inventory management and tracking: Traceability is another aspect of food manufacturing that is taken seriously. This helps the company respond quickly to food hazards and contamination incidents.
It is easier with proper inventory management and tracking using direct thermal labels with barcodes. The company can determine the contamination’s origin and spread and swiftly initiate recall procedures. Tracing food materials back to their origin is vital to prevent such events from repeating themselves.
3. Quality control: Food manufacturers have multiple quality control checkpoints in their facilities. These ensure that every step of their production process is provided with only the best quality of raw materials.
Many companies use specific direct thermal labels to indicate which quality control checkpoints have been passed. That is done in compliance with food safety standards and to ensure the consumer’s well-being.
4. Shipping: This tracking and identification extends past the warehouse walls and into the packages in transit. Using barcodes pasted on packages with direct thermal labels, the company can track the distribution of its products.
This ensures that the goods get to their destinations and helps with any returns or recalls that may occur. The labels are expected to withstand the varying environmental conditions of transportation, which is why direct thermal labels are preferred over traditional printing.
Wrapping Up
Direct thermal labels are an excellent fit for food manufacturing due to their speed, efficiency, and high quality. They are also versatile and can print on various surfaces, enhancing their usefulness.
Food manufacturing companies that haven’t should incorporate these labels into their daily activities. This is because they are bound to save costs in the long run while imparting your business with high-quality prints.
