Emerald Packaging bags industry first in fresh produce sector with Domino digital printing equipment

Leading fresh produce packaging supplier Emerald Packaging is providing consumers with more information on the origins of their food after installing new digital ink jet printing equipment from Domino USA, which marks an industry first for delivering unique human readable and QR codes in a single pass.

The California-based packaging manufacturer, which supplies printed bags to companies including Growers Express, a packer for major food manufacturing brand Jolly Green Giant, invested in Domino’s Bitjet+ inline digital printing system along with its Editor GT ink jet and production line controller in order to print unique QR codes onto each of its bags.

The unique codes, which are supplied by database and software management provider Truetrac, contain a wide range of information on the product including farm locations, grower profiles, food safety notices and nutritional information. These codes are managed by the Editor GT system and printed onto the bags by the Bitjet+.

By scanning the code with a smartphone, consumers can find out everything about the product, including the field in which it was harvested.

Domino's Bitjet+ integrates seamlessly into existing packaging lines and is ideal for adding high resolution, variable data including QR codes, addresses, numbers, barcodes and graphics to a wide range of substrates.

The printer was incorporated into Emerald Packaging’s bag processing line, which produces 150 bags per minute, without any interruption to the manufacturing process.

Emerald Packaging Sales and Marketing Director Todd Somers said: “The Bitjet+ is the first system within the fresh produce packaging sector that prints both a unique QR code and human readable code directly onto the bag.”

“This is important as it enables the end consumer to track back when and where their produce was harvested and packed. This even tracks the item down to the specific field where the produce was grown.”

David Ellen, VP of Digital Printing, Domino North America, added: "With the integration of the Domino Bitjet+ into its bag manufacturing line, Emerald Packaging continues to innovate and add value to its customer relationships. We look forward to collaborating with Emerald on this and future projects.”

Emerald Packaging, a family owned and operated business, was founded 50 years ago and has a long tradition of high quality products, exceptional customer service and a proven track record of innovation. It produces a wide range of packaging including surface printed rollstock and bags, wicketed bags, OTR specific films, laser micro perforations, film laminations, pouches and Innolok zipper applications.

About Emerald Packaging

Founded in 1963, Emerald Packaging is one of the largest flexible packaging manufacturers on the west coast and one of the biggest suppliers of produce packaging in the US. Emerald Packaging operates a technologically advanced 150,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Union City, CA and is committed to innovative product development, high quality standards, superior customer service and on-time delivery. Specialties include high-definition printing, biodegradable packaging, laser micro-perforated bags & roll stock, and laminated packaging and pouches.