Smart packaging printing – what do packaging printers need to know?
Dr. Anastasios E. Politis*
politisresearch@techlink.gr, tasosp@kth.se
Spyridon Nomikos*
nomic@aegean.gr
*Athens TEI, Faculty of Graphic Arts Technology, Athens Greece
Athens Technological Educational Institute, Faculty of Graphic Arts Technology
Agiou Spyridonos str. GR – 122 10 Egaleo, Greece
Abstract:
Packaging is currently the centre of intensive research that is being carried out regarding new
technologies that integrate digital data on a package. This has been fuelled by developments in
electronics technology, materials and processes that have the potential to create packages that can
carry digital - machine readable data. These developments concern in particular, new materials
(such as printed polymers) and tagging applications (such as RFID and EAS systems) which are
described as “intelligent”, “smart” or “active” packaging.
One matter of particular interest is how these types of digital information can be integrated and
implemented into the existing production workflow of packaging, which is normally consisted by
the processes of packaging design, prepress, printing and finishing. Therefore, the objective of
the study is to examine the various factors and parameters that might affect the production
management and workflow of the traditional/existing packaging design and production.
The paper is based mainly on a literature study on smart packaging applications and their
developments as well as on findings from leading research institutes, manufacturers and
academia, as it regards new technology applications for packaging printing production.
…………………………….
A final outcome from the present survey is that packaging printing production management is
expected to be subjected in changes (investments, production workflow, integration of
new/additional processes, quality controls etc).
Keywords:
Packaging printing, smart packaging applications.
1. Introduction
2. Methods
During our study we have found a plethora of information and resources on smart packaging
applications presented by a quite diverse range of organizations, networks, research initiatives
and private companies. Resources and literature were ranging from Universities to private
companies and from associations to expert groups. The fields and sectors were quite diverse as
well, ranging from electronics to automatic identification fields and from pharmaceutical to
military sectors.
………………………………………………….
Our study has been finally focused in finding information on the implications in management of
packaging printing production, caused by smart packaging applications. What is, finally presented
in the paper are these findings that we were able to extract from this considerably large amount of
resources.
3. Background
3.1. Smart and intelligent packaging – some definitions
3.1.2 What is RFID?
3.2 Trends and developments in supply chain and packaging
3.2.1 Smart or intelligent?
3.2.2 Intelligent packaging
3.2.3 Active, communicative packaging
Again, according to VTT scientists, active, communicative packaging can be defined as
packaging with an effective logistics system for sensitive, demanding products. The aim is to
develop a comprehensive system for new kinds of package production chain which pays attention
to the special needs of consumer packages as regards product information, identification and
appearance. VTT has also launched a project called PRINTO (Printable Optics and Electronics)
aimed at investigating the potential to fabricate passive and active electrical, optical and optoelectronic elements for packages and printed products.
Furthermore, an important issue is the involvement of various sectors in the development of smart
packaging applications; these include among others the informatics, electronics and material
development sectors. A good example can be shown in Figure 1:
Figure 1: Technology map of Active, Communicative Packaging Systems.
Source: VTT Information Technology, Finland
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3.2.4 RFID in the supply chain
3.2.5: Which drivers for change for smart packaging?
The application of smart packaging elements causes changes in management attitudes. As
Lindner (2005) points out, there is an amount of works to be done for the efficient application of
smart elements in packaging; these are:
a) Materials optimization, materials compatibility, device modelling, inkjet architecture.
b) Benefits to ink jet printing electronics
c) Low-cost atmospheric processing.
d) Compatible with variety of substrates
e) Reduced materials costs.
f) Reduced environmental impact.
g) Large area processing.
h) Alignment during deposition.
i) Direct control of composition, gradients (Lindner, 2005).
3.2.6 Attitudes Have Changed?
3.3 Packaging Market - Trends and prospects
3.3.1 Evolution of packaging materials
Table 1: Packaging market segmentation
Source: Kodak –Graphic Communications Group presentation, by Olivier Michaud
Year 2003
Year 2008
Corrugated
30%
29%
Flexible
25%
28%
Folding carton
20%
19%
Labels and tags
15%
14%
Others
10%
10%
3.3.2 Supply chain added value
3.3.3 Adaptive packaging models
According to Cooney and Winkless (2003), through the use of the TRIZ Technology Trends and
the Evolutionary Potential methodology is evolved into a next generation CAPE (Conceptual
Adaptive Packaging Evolutionary) Model. Future food packaging development directions and
innovations are then presented focusing on the evolutionary jump from smart/intelligent to
adaptive packages.
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Figure 2: The Conceptual Adaptive Packaging Evolutionary Model Cooney and Winkless,
(2003).
3.3.4 “Smart” box by Pfizer
Figure 3: The Viagra package
Source: Pfizer, www.pfizer.com/counterfeit/viagra/rfid
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3.4 Trends and developments in smart packaging printing and finishing
3.4.1 The trends of the information society
3.4.2 Evolution of the printing processes
3.4.3 Printing processes and smart packaging
IDTechEx has attempted to classify the suitability of each printing process regarding the current
printing of smart packaging applications/elements as it is shown in Figure 4:
Figure 4: Printing processes for smart packaging
Source: IDTechEx
3.4.4 Changeable inks
3.4.5 Printed antennas
3.5 Smart packaging printing workflows
According to Baumann and Weiss (2005), the packaging production workflow, with the
integration of printed electronics, tags or antennas is structured in the following way:

Design and print antennas (with semiconductor ink)

Print (texts, images, graphics, colour printing)

Put a chip (at the necessary point)

Lamination

Folding / transformation / transfer / distribution (Baumann and Weiss, 2005).
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Bielomatik suggests a range of solutions concerning integration of smart packaging applications
on packaging substrates. In Figure 5 this workflow is presented.
Figure 5: RFID System: - The Principle of Operation
Source: Bielomatik (www.bielomatik.com)
4. Discussion
The survey has indicated that there is a huge potential market for the so-called “smart”
applications. This field is of high interest for many industrial and commercial activities and for a
quite diverse range of sectors. Particularly, the IT industry, the electronics, the material science
and its developments as well as automation (with the new field of Automatic Identification) seem
to be the areas of significant technological development.
……………………………….
5. Conclusions
6. Future research
7. References
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