Pet food packaging must protect the product, communicate the brand and carry critical variable information. Best-before dates, batch numbers, production data and traceability codes all need to remain clear and legible from the end of the production line through to the shelf, warehouse and consumer’s home.
That is not always straightforward. Pet food is sold in a wide range of formats: flexible pouches, stand-up bags, flow-wraps, metal cans, trays and multipacks. Each format has different surface properties, production conditions and coding requirements.
The right solution is not simply about printing a code. It is about choosing a technology, coding area and process that protect code readability throughout the full life of the pack.
Why readable codes matter in pet food
A poorly printed date or batch code can create unnecessary operational problems. If the information is difficult to read, missing or incomplete, it can affect stock rotation, traceability, retailer requirements and the ability to identify a specific production batch quickly.
For pet food manufacturers, code quality should be considered alongside throughput, packaging appearance and total operating cost. The ideal solution must deliver a consistent mark at the required line speed while fitting the real packaging material and production environment.
Typical information coded onto pet food packaging includes:
- Best-before and expiry dates.
- Batch, lot and shift data.
- Product references and production information.
- Barcodes, QR codes and DataMatrix codes.
- Traceability and promotional information.
Flexible bags and pouches: where coding becomes more complex
Flexible packaging is widely used in dry pet food, treats, snacks, wet food pouches and single-serve formats. It is lightweight, practical and visually attractive, but can be challenging to code reliably.
Many flexible structures combine several layers of film, inks, varnishes, adhesives and barrier materials. Glossy, metallised, coloured, recycled and mono-material films can all react differently to a coding process. The code also needs to be positioned away from seals, creases, gussets and areas where the pack may flex during handling.
For this reason, the packaging structure matters as much as the visible surface. Before selecting a technology, manufacturers should assess the real film, print finish, coding window and production speed.
Replacing TTO on compatible flexible packaging
Thermal transfer overprinting has traditionally been used for variable coding on flexible packaging. It can provide high-quality printed information, but it also relies on ribbons and thermal printheads. Ribbon replacement, printhead maintenance and manual interventions can affect line continuity and generate consumable waste.
For compatible films, UV laser coding can offer a different approach.
iLumiFlex is designed to replace TTO systems in suitable flexible packaging applications. It uses UV laser technology to create permanent, high-contrast codes directly on the marking layer of compatible films, without ribbons, ink or thermal printheads.
This can help pet food manufacturers reduce the production tasks associated with ribbon changes while maintaining clear coding for dates, batches and traceability information.
However, laser coding should always be validated on the real packaging material. Film formulation, inks, coatings and barrier layers can influence contrast, appearance and pack integrity.
Cans and metal packaging: durable coding on curved surfaces
Metal cans remain a common format for wet pet food. They require coding technology that can keep pace with high-speed production while delivering a visible and durable result on curved surfaces.
Depending on the can material, coating, coding position and required message, manufacturers may consider laser or continuous inkjet (CIJ) technology.
Laser coding can be evaluated for cans and metal packaging where the surface and coating provide the required contrast. It creates the code directly on the pack without using ink or ribbons at the point of coding.
CIJ is also a practical option for many canning lines, especially where the code needs to be applied at high speed, in a restricted coding area or on a curved surface. The right ink formulation, adhesion and contrast must be selected according to the packaging surface and operating conditions.
The key is to ensure that the code remains readable after filling, retorting where applicable, handling and distribution.
What makes a pet food code readable?
A clear code depends on more than the printer or laser source. Several factors need to work together:
1. The right contrast
A date or batch code must stand out against the packaging background. Contrast depends on the film, coating, print colour and coding technology. A dedicated coding area can make a significant difference, particularly on dark, glossy or heavily printed packs.
2. Correct code placement
Codes should be positioned in a stable, accessible area of the pack. Avoid seals, curved edges, folds, gussets and zones likely to be damaged during filling or handling.
3. A message designed for the available space
The message must be appropriate for the coding window. Small characters, dense information or poorly positioned 2D codes can become difficult to read, even when the coding technology is performing correctly.
4. Reliable performance at production speed
A coding solution must be matched to the actual output of the line. The code content, marking area, substrate and line speed all affect the final result.
5. Controlled data management
Variable information must be accurate as well as legible. Connecting coding equipment with production data helps reduce manual entry and supports more reliable batch and date management.
6. Code verification
Machine vision can be used to check code presence, legibility and position in-line. This helps identify issues before incorrectly coded products move further along the line.
Choosing between TTO, laser and CIJ for pet food packaging
There is no single technology that suits every pet food application.
TTO can remain an effective solution for flexible packaging where ribbon-based printing is the best fit for the material and required message.
UV laser coding with iLumiFlex can be a strong TTO replacement option for compatible flexible films where manufacturers want to remove ribbon changes and thermal printhead-related maintenance while achieving permanent, high-contrast codes.
CO₂, fibre or UV laser systems can be assessed for compatible packaging materials, including selected films, printed surfaces, cartons and cans. The laser source must always be matched to the material, coating and desired result.
CIJ remains a versatile option for many applications, particularly when coding onto curved, irregular or difficult-to-mark surfaces at production speed.
The choice should be based on the actual pack, not on a general material category.
Validate the code on the real pet food pack
A coding project should begin with the real production sample: the final packaging material, printing, coating, coding area and required message.
Testing allows manufacturers to assess:
- Code contrast and readability.
- Position and available coding window.
- Production speed and repeatability.
- Visual appearance of the packaging.
- Resistance to handling and distribution.
- Potential effects on packaging structure, barriers and seals.
This approach helps ensure that the selected technology delivers not only a visible code on day one, but a reliable coding process for the full production cycle.
A clearer route to traceability
Pet food manufacturers need coding that works across different packaging formats, production speeds and markets. Whether the application involves a pouch of treats, a large dry-food bag or a wet-food can, the objective is the same: clear, reliable information that supports traceability and keeps production moving.
Macsa ID helps manufacturers assess their packaging, coding requirements and line conditions to define the most suitable solution across TTO, laser and CIJ technologies.