The New Barcode – The Future of Custom Packaging

40 years ago, George Laurer, an engineer at IBM, developed a black line and number set that became the modern barcode. This barcode system – the Universal Product Code (UPC) – was first scanned on a pack of gum, and has, over the past 4 decades, become far more than just a system of identification and efficiency used in grocery stores.  Everything from passports and government-issued IDs to hospital equipment now utilize some form of barcode for identification or even security purposes.

A new generation of barcode has begun to penetrate countless variations of custom packaging and even the human body. There are big changes coming for the barcode.

According to John Keogh, founder and managing principal at supply chain advisory firm Shantalla Inc., there are significant changes coming with regard to barcodes. A recent Next Generation Product Identifier (NGPI) project identified 5 common data attributes that will need to be added to the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) – the human-readable item number on a barcode. These include a number to identify minor variations of the same product (images on promotional packaging for example), rather than a new product identifier for each package barcode. Also included in the list are a brand URL, expiry date, product serial number and a lot number. Together these attributes, according to Keogh, will help to enhance consumer safety and decrease the need for further government regulations.

So what does all of this mean to you? These changes may not be right around the corner (they are largely still in the early stages of investigation), but that doesn’t mean that they are not something to keep in mind when it comes to your custom packaging. When these new attributes are adopted, Keogh states, companies can choose to utilize the new system or stay with the old system – but for retailers, there is significant value to be earned, specifically through the improved efficiency and the brand loyalty to be earned through increased transparency.

When it comes to custom packaging that achieves the results you want, staying ahead of the competition is a big part of that. The new generation of barcodes is just one element of custom packaging trends to come.

For more about how to use the newest and most effective custom packaging trends in the industry please call Packaging Technologies Inc. today: 1-800-303-5883. We will help you devise a strategy that yields real results.