Product labeling: an unreadable EAN can stop a whole shelf

A label is a small thing – until it starts causing problems. An EAN that won’t scan at the checkout, a QR the phone can’t read, or a missing batch number can annoy a buyer and, in the worse case, stop an entire delivery. Good labeling is mainly about making it work the first time.

An EAN that scans the first time

An EAN has to be readable on the first pass. Print quality, contrast, the quiet zone around the code and placement all matter – a code running over an edge or fold of the packaging is the most common mistake. That is why for every type of code we verify whether it can be read, not just how it looks. The difference only shows at the buyer’s checkout, and by then it is too late.

QR codes as a bridge to the customer

A QR code links the product to a website, instructions, a campaign or a contest. Here too, it has to work reliably – size, contrast and the quiet zone decide whether a phone reads it. A well-used QR code is a cheap marketing channel right on the packaging.

Batch numbers and dates: boring until traceability matters

Batch numbers and best-before dates are usually mandatory and serve to trace the product when something goes wrong. They have to be correctly assigned, readable and consistent across the whole production run – otherwise traceability exists only on paper.

What application really depends on

• Precise placement and alignment, not a crooked sticker.
• A readability and scan check of every type of code.
• Correct assignment of batch numbers and dates to the right product batch.
• A label material suitable for the packaging and environment (chilled, humid, freezer).

FAQ

Do you apply labels by hand or by machine? Both, depending on the order – always with a check of placement and readability. For volume we use a faster process, for more complex items manual precision.

Do you supply labels, or work with ours? Both. We print and apply the labels, or we work with yours. What matters is that the result passes at the buyer.