What's Up with Packaging - the 42nd Best Packaging Podcast

The ThermaCore system from HP is part of a new generation of thermal inkjet (TIJ) systems that bring new functionality to the technology. Ideal for brands that need to print the new GS1 Digital Link and other 2D barcodes on their packaging as part of the migration to 2D barcodes project - Sunrise 2027, I had the opportunity to get a little hands-on experience with this new product at Pack Expo Las Vegas. Also, thank you to Bao Nguyen of HP for his insights.

We are going to be covering Pack Expo 20025 in Las Vegas. Assuming, of course, that Janice doesn't get arrested! 

Many companies need to print barcodes on their shipping cases.Which is the best technology to use? Inkjet or print and apply labeling?Janice (the AI Personal Assistant) and David discuss this topic. 

What is the best technology for adding the new GS1 2D barcodes to your packaging?In this week's podcast, Janice (the AI personal Assistant) and David discuss some applications and which print technology will likely be a good solution. 

Love or hate the idea, the packaging industry (like everyone else) will have to contend with the new Trump trade tariffs. In this episode, David and Janice (the AI Personal Assistant) discuss this issue. 

In this episode, Janice (the AI Personal Assistant) and I discuss the trend of labelless (or label-free) packaging for water bottles. 

GS1's Sunrise 2027 2D barcode migration will have an impact on brands, retailers and on consumers.Who will it actually be good for? 

Late-Stage Customization can help businesses to reduce inventory costs. By customizing packaging late in the process, companies can avoid managing inventories of pre-printed packaging materials.With late-stage customization, either blank or generically printed materials are ordered that will be customized right on the packaging line.LSC can help businesses improve their speed in the market. By customizing packaging quickly and easily, companies can bring new products to market more rapidly or respond to changes in customer demand more quickly.https://packagingnews.net/can-late-stage-customization-help-your-business/

A recent lawsuit accuses consumer products giant Procter & Gamble (P&G) of greenwashing and deceiving consumers with regard to how wood pulp is sourced for its Charmin paper products range. 

Is your company looking to adopt the new GS1 2D barcodes for the Sunrise 2027 program?If so, one thing you’ll need to address is the size of the barcodes you print on your packages—especially if you use the GS1 Digital Link format, which can contain a lot of data.

Why are some packaging materials easier to print than others?Why do labels stick to some products but not to others?It's all because of the surface energy of the materials in question. Read more here: https://packagingnews.net/what-is-surface-energy-of-materials-why-does-it-matter/

What's Up With Packaging - 2025 Some of the packaging-related topics we expect to cover this year. 

If your company is switching to the new GS1 2D barcodes, you'll probably have to print them only your package - unlike the UPC codes that are usually pre-printed. Thermal Tansfer Overprinters and thermal inkjet are two technologies you could use - but which is best?

What are the three biggest issues in packaging right now?Let's take a look at:SustainabilitySupply chains, labor and price increasesRegulatory issues

Late-stage customization (LSC) is a process in which packaging is customized for specific markets, customers, or products at the last minute as part of the packaging process. In this short recording, I discuss two solutions for enabling this - for secondary and primary packaging. 

June 26 is not only National Barcode Day; this year is the 50th Anniversary of the first time a UPC barcode was scanned in a live retail transaction. Since then, the UPC and the GS1 family of barcodes have become the standard for product and packaging identification. And there's much more to come! 

In this episode, I take a quick look at the new EU rules for labeling of breakfast items, a university that is working on alternatives to Best By dates and question the purity of Pure Irish Butter.Enjoy! 

Welcome to the latest What's Up With Packaging, where I look at packaging-related news stories that got my attention in the last week or so.In this episode, I cover a new beverage can plant opening right in our town and packaging legislation in the EU and the UK.

Some of the latest packaging related stories that caught my attention the last week or so. 1. Unilever watering down sustainability and social initiatives. 2. Packaging for the new to USA over-the-counter birth control pill.3. Maybe you shouldn't flex about your green credentials when you switch to Tetra Pak for your packaging. 4. A small saving in plastics use by supermarket chain, Aldi. What out for new episodes of the podcast and What's Up With Packaging? soon! If you prefer to watch the video version (hey, you'll see me and an appearance by Molly the Boston Terrier, head over here: https://packagingnews.net/whats-up-with-packaging-ep2/

Some of the packaging stories that have gotten my attention in the last week or so. 

What exactly is this smart packaging thing?Well, in this context, it is product packaging containing technologies that can communicate digitally with consumers. From simple barcodes to high-tech Augmented Reality, there are cool things in store! 

I see a lot of laser coding systems, both in actual plants and in online videos, that operate with no guarding in place. This is hazardous to people in the vicinity - in this episode, I'll explain why and how lasers can be made safe. 

Today, we're looking at a topic that's been making waves in the packaging industry: labelless or label-free PET bottles for beverage packagingNow, you might be wondering, what exactly are these labelless PET bottles? As it happens, they're precisely what you’d think – PET bottles without the traditional paper or plastic labels wrapped around them. PET is pretty much the standard material for beverage bottles, you’ll see it used for water bottles as well as for packaging all kinds of other drinks. You can be sure that a huge a number of these packages are filled, labeled, and shipped every day.

Packaging is essential for any manufacturer or processor, as it protects, preserves and promotes products to consumers. But did you know that there are different levels of packaging that serve different purposes? Let’s find out more about them.

Over the past few years, flexible packaging has been making waves in various industries. More and more brands are switching to flexible packaging for food and beverages and personal care items. And it's not hard to see why!But here's the thing - flexible packaging is a bit of a double-edged sword regarding recycling. On the one hand, it offers excellent performance and protection for products. On the other hand, the laminated nature of the packaging film makes recycling a challenge.Flexible packaging films are traditionally made of different materials that are often difficult to separate during recycling.But fear not, there's a potential solution on the horizon - mono-materials!

The early 2000s were an exciting time for RFID technology. What with, the Walmart deal, the Department of Defense rollout and big gains in asset tracking and other applications. There was also some pushback from individuals and groups who were concerned about privacy issues with this technology. In New Hampshire, a bill was introduced that would regulate the use of RFID technology in the state.