It’s a packaging designer’s nightmare: Having to work around an ugly registration mark or the little black box where a laser code will go. The latter example is most unappealing when the carton is a pristine white or has another, more colorful, scheme to the graphics.

Designers now have another option—one that still allows for a permanent laser code and provides high contrast with a black-on-white code. Clear Code from 3C! Packaging is a clear coating that changes color when hit with an industrial CO2 laser beam. The coating can be applied to a variety of packaging substrates.

Pharmaceutical packaging solutions provider 3C! Packaging partnered with DataLase and Domino Amjet to commercialize this cost-effective development, which requires no other coding consumables, such as inks or ribbons.

Clear Code will debut at the upcoming Interphex 2015 show at the Javits Convention Center (Apr. 21-23; New York City).

Joey Rae Elphick, vp of marketing and business development at 3C! Packaging, answers Packaging Digest’s questions about the technology.

Does Clear Code always produce a black/dark code on a white background? What is the color produced? Can a specific color be engineered?

Elphick: Our standard Clear Code produces a black on white image but we are able to engineer the varnish to a variety of colors on customer request.

Many cartons for pharmaceuticals are white. Was Clear Code developed for aesthetics as well as for maximum code contrast (to maintain the look of efficacy, for example)?

Elphick: Yes, to both. When developing Clear Code, we kept our customers’ needs first in mind. We wanted to provide them with a coding solution that was able to solve the “little black box” problem and add marketability to their packaging while producing a full-contrast quality image every time.

We developed Clear Code primarily for the following customer benefits:
Productivity: Faster line speeds
Eco-Friendly:No production line consumables and low emissions
Applicability: Compatible with a variety of substrates
Quality: Better contrast and image quality

What substrates can the Clear Code coating be applied to?

Elphick: Clear Code can be applied to any substrate that ink or varnish can be applied to; that is, cartons, labels, flexible packaging substrates and more.

What other markets could benefit from the Clear Code technology? Is the product approved for food contact, for example?

Elphick: Clear Code is approved for food contact. Other markets that could benefit include cosmetics, medical device, electronics and automotive.

Is the Clear Code technology something that 3C! will license to other suppliers or will companies only be able to buy Clear Code-coated packaging materials from 3C!?

Elphick: 3C! developed the Clear Code application technology and it is a proprietary process. The application process of Clear Code onto a substrate is a key critical component to the effectiveness of the application. Clear Code-coated products can currently only be purchased at 3C! Packaging.

Is there a minimum or maximum size for Clear Code coating on a package? Can it be applied to the very edge of a package?

Elphick: There is no minimum or maximum size and Clear Code can be applied to the very edge of the printed component.

How is the coating applied to the packaging substrate? In line with other printing/converting steps?

Elphick: Clear Code can be applied by flexographic, offset or letterpress printing and is compatible with an array of substrates. Also, we are able to print in-line with all print technologies at our facility [in Clayton, NC].