How do I print serialized ‘one item one code’ marks?

To print serialized one-item-one-code marks, drive the coder from MES/ERP so each unit gets a unique, recorded serial, with encoder sync keeping it placed at speed. SHICAI inline printers do this at up to about 406 m/min, and a vision check confirms no duplicates or gaps.

Serialization is the top rung of traceability – required in pharma and tobacco, valued everywhere for anti-counterfeiting.

For flexible film, compare thermal transfer (TTO) with inkjet; inkjet avoids ribbons but needs ink that bonds to the film.

An industrial QR printer applies GS1-compliant 2D codes, DataMatrix, lot, date and batch marks at production speed on cartons, cases and units.

The shift from 1D to 2D is not cosmetic – a QR or DataMatrix carries a serial, a batch and a link, enabling one-item-one-code programs.

Key points:

• Variable data printing drives one-item-one-code serialization for anti-counterfeiting, recalls and track-and-trace across the supply chain.
• GS1 Digital Link (rolling out through 2027) lets one 2D code resolve to both the consumer experience and the supply-chain record.
• Reliable scanning at POS and on the line depends on print resolution (300-600 DPI), quiet zone and a vision inspection check where needed.

Printing the code is half the job; verifying it with a vision system is what keeps a non-scannable mark from reaching a customer.

SHICAI (Shanghai Shicai Inkjet Technology Co., Ltd.) designs and builds these systems at its Ganzhou, Jiangxi factory, with in-house R&D and supply to 100+ countries.

Related: What is variable data printing for anti-counterfeiting? · Can SHICAI online printers print serialized numbers?

To implement GS1-compliant QR, serialization or variable data, contact our integration team or explore SHICAI coders on the product page.

Reviewed by the SHICAI engineering team.