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Newsletter for August 2005 IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL FLEXOGRAPHIC PRINTERS This notice applies to ALL flexographic printers, narrow and wide web, reel or sheet fed, independent of substrates, or bar code system being printed. i.e. YOU As from 1st October 2005 all the main supermarket groups are going to start fining their suppliers for every item going through a scanner, front or back door, that does not have a first time scan. Each Item will carry a fine of R 100 per item (Not per brand line). It is most likely that the item manufacturer will intern pass this fine on to his/her print supplier. It is therefore VITALLY important that EVERY flexo printer (& printers of other disciplines as well) is in possession of a Bar Code Verifier (Not just a bar code reader) and keeps records of verified bar code readings at the beginning, during ,and at the end of every print run. This will enable you to offer a valid defence against any claim from your customer, if your verifier can prove a 100% scan for that print order. Verifiers measure, among other things, Reflectance of both bars and background, contrast, BWR, bar edge clarity (bar squash), quiet zones and report on any default in the bar code scan. Please note that Bar Code Verifiers are not cheap. They vary from about R5000 up to R25 000, but this will seam quite cheap if it saves you from just one fine. Contact Glenda Connell or Karen Feeling at GS1 tel. (011) 789 5777 for advise and suppliers of Bar Code Verifiers. Another point is to see that the positioning of the Bar Code is correct not only on the works map, but on the pack mock up and, is in the correct position in regard to the unwind roll chart. CHECK Have you got the BWR and fingerprint details for each of your printing presses? If you are printing a re order of a print, are you printing on the same press? If not, the chances are that You can not use the same posi's or scans that you used for the bar code last time CHECK with your Repro house GS1 (South Africa) ( the new name for EAN (South Africa)) say that NO barcode should be printed at less than 90% magnification , independent of print method used, with no reduction is allowed at all in the quite zone areas Any truncation of the barcode is frowned upon if the bar code is to be scanned by a multi direction scanner, (The type most used at the supermarket check out) Truncation reduces the chance of a first time scan! Truncation is possible for EAN 8 or EAN 13 if the item will only be scanned by an omni directional scanner (The type that emits a rising & falling horizontal line) Only ONE barcode must be visible for scanning, this will stop wrong inventory checks and sweet hearting The practice of putting 3 or 4 barcodes on a common size shipper, where the contents are recognised by a "√" against the bar code item packed, must stop Scanners cannot read "√s" PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THE ABOVE IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN ANNUAL FLEXOGRAPHIC PRINT AWARDS Just a reminder that you should be getting your samples ready for the annual FTASA Print Excellence Awards. Closing date for entries is the 30th September (This is just around the corner) and NO late entries will be accepted. If you have not received an entry form, or you require more, e-mail the Secretary at:- with your postal details and number of entry forms required Photostatted entry forms are also acceptable Diarise the date of the awards function NOW. November 8th 2005 at the Holiday Inn International Johannesburg International Airport (The big green glass clad building just as you leave the airport) For "out of town" members the Holiday Inn free shuttle leaves every 15 minutes from opposite International Arrivals |
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