Inkjet is most suitable for high-quality variable data printing

RK: How do you view the Goa Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS) and its impact on the printing and packaging industry, particularly in terms of serialised QR code printing and traceability?

Neeraj Sharrma (NS): We really appreciate such steps taken by any of the state governments for our environmental safety and sustainability of our ecosystem, by encouraging end consumers to help in the waste management. Adding a QR code on the packaging of the goods will help not in anti-counterfeiting of the products but also be useful in traceability of the products from manufacturer to end user consumer, and further collection of the used pack and recycling of the waste. 

RK: What printing technologies and solutions are best suited for producing high-quality, durable QR codes required under the DRS framework on bottles, labels, or packaging substrates? 

NS: For printing VDP, a high-quality QR code is required. Considering all the available printing technologies, inkjet printing will be the best-suited one. Due to high print resolution at higher speed, with the ink which can print on different substrates like chromo, filmic or non-filmic, porous or non-porous etc. It depends upon the packaging requirements.

RK: How does your equipment ensure consistent print quality, readability, and durability of QR codes throughout the product lifecycle?

NS: We have a DOD UV inkjet printing system which can print at a desirable print resolution of 600x600-dpi (meeting DRS project requirement of printing QR code) by using UV inks which are compatible for printing on different substrates, with long-lasting life, meeting product life cycle.  

RK: How do your systems integrate with serialisation software and the DRS platform for generating and managing unique serialised identifiers (USIs) at high production speeds? 

NS: Our VDP inkjet system is fully equipped/compatible with software for managing and printing DRS project QR code with USI or other variable data as required in terms of print resolutions, and speed depends upon where we have to install the system — inline with the printing presses or offline on converting/slitting machines. 

RK: What role do inspection and verification systems play in ensuring QR code accuracy and compliance, and how do you address issues such as unreadable or misprinted codes? 

NS: Camera inspection/vision systems ensure that whatever the input data file given to the variable data printing system for printing the VD, is 100% correct in the sense of scanning of the QR code, misprint or non-printing of any data due to any of the reasons, etc. With the software, we can generate a report file showing how many codes we inspected for a particular job, how many get rejected or duplicate in case if any etc so we can maintain our database as well. 

RK: What are the key challenges beverage manufacturers and converters face when implementing DRS-compliant printing, and how can they prepare their existing production lines for the transition? 

NS: Adding new features like QR codes on their existing packaging could be a possibility of some changes in their base design of the packaging for making a space for printing VDP, loss of production outcome due to the addition of some additional operations like data management for VDP printing, inspection and correction, if any. 

RK: What kind of investments or operational adjustments should manufacturers expect when adopting DRS-enabled printing and serialisation solutions? 

NS: Investment for adding VDP depends upon the number of print heads required to be added for printing VDP (depends upon the printing width and number of labels across the web width, installing the system inline on the printing machines or offline on the converting line, number of systems depends on the production volume, etc. So, there are many factors. 

RK: Do you see similar deposit-return or serialisation-driven regulations emerging in other parts of India? 

NS: As far as my knowledge, the similar project done at Char Dham Religious Places in Uttarakhand and was well-acknowledged by the consumers and the central government as well, encouraging similar projects in other parts of India, for promoting recycling of the waste, not only for maintaining our ecosystem but also reproduction of different products using recycled waste material, to bring down the production cost. The printing industry is already in the business of printing such QR codes or special codes on the packaging used for authentication and traceability of the products in the supply chain management, especially in the FMCG sector.