BRC Packaging Artwork Procedure

The company I work for are looking at the possibility of getting into printing on the packaging we currently produce.

This is fairly new to me so looking for some advice regarding what procedures / forms are required to cover elements of clause 5.2 & 5.3 of the current Issue 6 standard.

Any samples I could look at would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance....

One of the things to keep in mind is if the printing ink is soy-based...I know strange but one of the things we ran into in the past when printing in-house.

As far as procedures and forms, you should have an SOP that dictates an inspection interval and this must be documented. It can be something as similar as check offs by a qualified individual depending on the contents and labeling guidelines. I can get a few samples for you when back in office next week.

Cheers,

Dan

Hi Dan,

Anything you have would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

Hi ,

Her is a starting list.

you need QC checks for colour & text. (ensure not important information is wrong or missing i.e. allergens/cooking instruction etc)

Colour measurement /management (we use Mellow colour Systems) 

Spectrophotometers /panrtone books ?

Cleaning and maintenance procedures

light cabinets to do the colour qc in. With calibrate /services bulbs (running times to life them) 

Migration information for the inks (from supplier)

Controls to prevent mixing of products 

Controls for plates/blankets etc  to ensure you use the right one ( not old ones)

controls for artwork /amends so that you ensure you use the current artwork and old ones are removed from accidental  use (security)

customer approvals for artwork prior to first print

For the artwork control procedure, I would focus on the last 3 of the above list.

The rest probably come under print control and risk analysis.

The artwork control procedure is designed to ensure that the correct design has been received from the customer and incorporated into your systems. That plates etc have been correctly made and that the customer has approved the print in some way. It is in your own interest anyway to get customer approval to avoid costly future arguments. 

Important points to include are evidence of receipt and clear evidence of control of any changes. It is vital that only the final approved design is made available to the printers.

Methods for this vary from company to company depending upon what type of graphic software is available. In some cases I have seen this simply by an email trail. 

The clause also requires that you assess the need for a trial to be carried out. This is quite vague and uses 'where appropriate'  In most cases with regular customers, you probably won't need to have a trial, but if you are using new inks or substrates you probably will. Consider also how the customer will use your print - eg if it is a self adhesive label the type of adhesive needed may vary if it is a chilled product.

Whoever in your company that deals directly with the customers on design issues should be aware of these procedures and should ideally have a input into writing the procedure. Easier said than done with "sales" people I realise. In some smaller print companies I have used a simple checklist to ensure that they ask the right practical questions rather than purely commercial discussions.

The company I work for are looking at the possibility of getting into printing on the packaging we currently produce.

This is fairly new to me so looking for some advice regarding what procedures / forms are required to cover elements of clause 5.2 & 5.3 of the current Issue 6 standard.

Any samples I could look at would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance....

Hi,

Will printing be outsourced ?