Pharmaceutical printing packaging is used to convey the details of a specific medicine. It includes information about the medicine, its manufacturer, date of manufacture and other details. These labels are designed to promote the pharmaceutical products to the target audience and boost their sales. These printing packaging materials are manufactured using a variety of methods. This article provides a brief overview of the different processes that are used to produce pharmaceutical packaging.
Inkjet Printing
Pharmaceutical packaging requires high-quality, reliable printing, and the use of inkjet printing for this purpose can be a cost-effective solution. This technology provides several advantages over conventional offset printing, including the ability to print on nearly any shape and package. It is also non-contact, meaning there is no need to manually handle the product, which reduces waste and breakage. It also allows for fast switching between different print widths. Inkjet printing for pharmaceutical products also helps manufacturers meet regulatory requirements. It also provides improved brand image and enhances the visual appeal of pharmaceutical products.
The pharmaceutical industry requires a high degree of accuracy, legibility, and traceability. Regulations often require two-dimensional codes or multiple lines of human-readable information. High-resolution printing is crucial for compliance, and thermal inkjet printers provide high-resolution print resolutions of up to 600DPI. They can produce legible text, and even incorporate linear or data matrix barcoding technologies.
Flexo Printing
Flexo printing is an excellent choice for pharmaceutical printing packaging, thanks to its high durability and low cost. This printing method also produces higher-quality prints than other methods, and can handle complex designs. Furthermore, it is fast and requires no plate-lifting, which prevents contamination. Another benefit of flexo is that it produces less waste than other printing processes.
For instance, a typical ibuprofen bottle contains a small amount of text, making it ideal for flexo printing. This printing method is especially helpful for pharmaceutical packaging that is required to be sterile and non-toxic. In addition, flexo printing is popular for pharmaceutical foil packaging, which is odorless, lightweight, and non-toxic.
Offset Printing
The demands of the pharmaceutical industry have made the use of offset printing for pharmaceutical packaging a viable option. This type of packaging must not only be attractive, but must also convey important information. For instance, the FDA requires item-level serialization of all products, which allows for the verification of product authenticity and traceability throughout the supply chain. To do this, individual packs of medicines are marked with a unique machine-readable identifier, such as a 1-D barcode, 2-D barcode or QR code.
Pharmaceutical printing has the advantage of allowing for greater customization than conventional printing. Digital systems enable just-in-time printing, or JIT, which reduces inventory of packaged drugs and printed materials. In addition, the technology allows for shorter production runs and minimizes waste.
Coatings
Pharmaceutical printing requires high-quality printing with excellent contrast and legibility. It also needs to meet regulatory codes. Several types of coatings are available for pharmaceutical printing. Each type of coating has its own specific properties and benefits. These coatings can enhance the look and feel of pharmaceutical packaging. Coatings are used for pharmaceutical packaging to increase product value.
In addition to enhancing the appearance of a pharmaceutical product, they can improve its functionality and extend the shelf life. They can also improve the safety and security of the product. Pharmaceutical packaging must meet strict standards of safety and quality, and include anti-counterfeiting technologies. It should also be eco-friendly. In recent years, counterfeiting has become a major issue in the pharmaceutical sector. Counterfeiters tamper with products, package knock-off products, and peddle them in fake packaging. This is a growing threat, and retailers are responding by adding anti-counterfeiting components to their packaging.
Laminates
Laminates for pharmaceutical printing packaging are designed to protect and preserve medications. These materials are available in a variety of colours and materials. In addition, these materials can be customized to meet the specific requirements of the pharmaceutical market. For example, a laminate film made of PET can be used to protect bulk pharmaceutical products. Another option is a laminate made of PVC film, which is ideal for products that need to withstand light.
Amcor has recently added its High Shield range of pharmaceutical packaging laminates, which are designed to meet performance and barrier requirements. This new packaging material is recyclable and supports pharmaceutical companies' sustainability agendas. High Shield's innovative material structure supports recycle-readiness and helps manufacturers leverage their existing filling machines.
Compliance with Regulations
For pharmaceutical companies, compliance with regulations when printing pharmaceutical packaging is a critical component of the manufacturing process. These regulations cover a wide range of topics, including the need for secure packaging, label identification, and sustainable packaging. Additionally, many of these regulations require that manufacturers track the source of raw materials used in the manufacturing process. This allows manufacturers to identify any potential problems in the supply chain and remove them from distribution. The right packaging solutions can help companies meet these requirements while still providing the level of security that their customers expect.
Whether you're printing for an over-the-counter or prescription drug, patient-friendly features are crucial to ensuring the safety of your product. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), child-resistant packaging can help prevent a product from harming a child. Child-resistant packaging features can include safety caps, child-resistant labels, and single-dose blister packaging.