Laser Coding Outperforms Inkjet for Pet Food Packaging

As the pet food market continues to grow, with global sales expected to reach $131 billion by 2025, pet food manufacturers are under increasing pressure to ensure the quality and traceability of their products. Two key technologies are helping them meet this challenge - laser coding and vision inspection systems.

Laser coding can print date codes that are 5-10 times more resistant to fading, smearing and abrasion compared to inkjet. This makes laser-coded packages much less likely to have illegible or missing information - a common issue with inkjet on flexible pet food bags and pouches.

Leading pet food brand Paw Pals saw these benefits firsthand. "We were experiencing frequent inkjet printer failures and unclear date codes that would rub off," said their packaging manager. "Since switching to a laser coder, we've had zero unplanned downtime and our traceability has improved dramatically."

In addition, vision inspection systems are helping pet food makers ensure consistent quality. These systems use high-speed cameras and advanced algorithms to automatically inspect packages for defects like missing or incorrect codes, damaged seals, and other issues.

One pet treat manufacturer reported a 35% reduction in product recalls after implementing a vision inspection system. This not only protects their brand reputation, but also helps avoid the significant costs associated with product returns and waste.

As the pet food market grows more competitive, laser coding and vision inspection are becoming essential tools for manufacturers to boost efficiency, quality and safety. By adopting these technologies, pet food brands can give consumers the peace of mind they demand.