Before the advent of digital pharmaceutical printing, pharmaceutical companies may have had to rely on their human eyes to check the quality of the packaging materials. If a mistake wasn’t caught in time, the ramifications could be huge. Today, pharmaceutical printing is a much simpler process, allowing manufacturers to create their products quickly and cheaply.
Quality Control for Pharmaceutical Printing
Quality control for pharmaceutical printing packaging starts with the design. It is important to standardize each component’s shape and size. This will help reduce any potential problems with the final product. Standardized components may include plastic bottles and rubber plugs. The size of the components will also influence dosage size. The same shape may be used with different dimensions.
Pharmaceutical printing packaging must also include Braille, which is used to communicate important information to the blind. The EU Directive 2001/83/EC requires this. For the most part, pharmaceutical print quality assurance and text verification focuses on the copy of the package. It is the most critical element from a regulatory perspective and requires the most attention to detail.
Regulatory Requirements
Pharmaceutical printing packaging must be accurate and promote the product. It also must protect the public. To do this, pharmaceutical companies must prioritize quality control. They can achieve these goals by working with a pharmaceutical packaging and labeling company that employs 100% print inspection systems. These systems will help companies create pharmaceutical packaging that promotes their products and meets regulatory requirements.
Modern pharmaceutical printing packaging uses advanced computer systems to detect errors. These systems can spot even the smallest defects. Errors in print, bar code errors, and missing asterisks on display panels are all detected by these systems. With such systems, pharmaceutical printing packaging can be more accurate and more efficient than ever.
Pharmaceutical packaging requires specific information, including a serialized number that allows the medication to be tracked and traced. In addition, it must follow the approved artwork. Moreover, the packaging should be legible and easily readable.
Offset Printing
Offset printing for pharmaceutical packaging is a versatile and cost-effective solution for the printing of pharmaceutical packaging. Its high-speed process enables faster production runs, which can reduce the inventory of packaged drugs and printed materials. With its computer-to-plate system, offset printing can achieve higher quality results than other print methods.
The pharmaceutical industry has unique requirements for printed packaging, which requires specialized equipment. The Komori PQA quality control system checks the printing process on each run to ensure quality. It also checks for complete and legible literature throughout the process, starting in the pressroom. After the printing process is completed, the printed sheets are sent through the finishing environment for quality assurance.
Range Of Colors and Materials
The packaging for pharmaceutical products must convey crucial information. In addition to visual appeal, pharmaceutical products must be secure to avoid counterfeiting. For this reason, the FDA requires item-level serialization of all products. This allows for product traceability throughout the supply chain. To achieve this goal, individual packs of medicines are marked with a machine-readable identifier such as a 1-D barcode or a 2-D barcode. In addition, some packs also contain a QR code, which allows for easy identification.
Offset printing allows for a wider range of colors and materials. The process also allows for scalability. The high quality, vivid output of offset printing helps ensure clear communication with consumers. Generally, offset printing is best for small to medium print runs, while digital printing is best for large runs.
Offset printing for pharmaceutical packaging is a high-quality and cost-efficient method. Compared to other methods of print, offset printing has higher quality output and less paper waste. The process is also faster, requiring fewer production steps.
Flexographic Printing
Pharmaceutical packaging is a highly regulated industry, with a focus on sustainability and customer safety. Due to the high quality standards required, many pharmaceutical packaging designers turn to flexographic printing for their designs. The process allows for precise, customised printing without compromising the quality of the product. Read on to learn more about how flexographic printing can help you meet your packaging requirements.
Flexographic printing is a modern process that delivers consistent quality and accuracy in large print runs. The process is cost-effective and can handle high-resolution images and complex design. It is also fast, accurate, and produces a low waste. The ink used in this process is low-viscosity and dries quickly.
Highly Versatile Process
Flexographic printing is a highly versatile process, enabling designers to use various materials and print processes, ensuring high-quality results. A PC HPE Flexo press is capable of producing high-resolution, high-speed webs, and can use a variety of substrates. The company uses the latest print media technologies to meet the most challenging packaging requirements.
Flexo printing is the preferred method for pharmaceutical packaging because it can accommodate a variety of substrates, including plastic, paper, and metal. It is also flexible, allowing designers to create intricate designs and add decorative effects. Flexible packaging is often a combination of both flexo and offset printing methods.
Flexographic printing is an excellent choice for pharmaceutical packaging because of its high quality and durability. It is an economical option for pharmaceutical companies and allows them to print high-resolution labels. Also, the process can handle complex prints and is fast. Another advantage of flexo is that it produces less waste than other methods of printing.
Four-Coloration Method Printing
Four-coloration method printing for pharmaceutical packaging is a popular choice for many companies. This printing method combines four colors onto one sheet, and uses spot color to add even more detail. While this method is more expensive, the final product will have a striking visual. Talk to your printing company about the options available to you.
Digital Printing
For pharmaceutical manufacturers, digital printing offers a number of advantages. It allows for fast turnaround and lower set up costs. It can handle large print jobs and can be tailored to specific needs. Typical daily print jobs can involve hundreds or even thousands of labels. They also need to be produced in a wide range of sizes and finishes.
The pharmaceutical packaging market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.0% over the next five years, reaching $142B by the end of 2021. The rise in the number of illnesses around the world has pushed the industry to a boiling point, but this is not the only reason. A growing number of providers of medical products are now turning to digital to keep up with demand. Moreover, a digital solution offers the potential to protect brand identity by enabling pharmaceutical companies to produce unique and attractive packaging.
Compared To Offset Printing
Pharmaceutical companies can also benefit from POD, or print-on-demand, technology. This new technique enables manufacturers to produce pharmaceutical labels and promotional materials in less time, reducing inventory levels. Additionally, a digital system eliminates the need for “make-ready” processes, which can create a significant amount of waste.
The benefits of digital printing include a lower cost and better quality. It is also possible to print multiple languages on the same roll, which can help to reduce costs. Moreover, pharmaceutical labels are printed on certified substrates, which ensures that the product is protected from counterfeiting. This technology is also ideal for personalizing products.
Compared to offset printing, digital printing is an excellent option for small and medium-run print jobs. Since digital printing eliminates the need for paper rolls, plates, and manual labor, it is more convenient for expedited print orders and shorter turnarounds. In addition, it allows for microtext and unique marks, which helps prevent counterfeiting and other problems associated with counterfeit goods.
