Supply chain traceability empowers brands to monitor product movement and ensure safety and regulatory compliance from raw materials to end consumers.
However, reliable codes for improved supply chain operations can only be delivered with cutting-edge yet reliable technology. In modern production lines, traceability codes such as batch numbers, QR codes, expiration dates, and serial identifiers must remain readable at every checkpoint. When codes fail to meet scanning standards, products may be rejected during audits or delayed in distribution, causing operational inefficiencies.
So, what kind of technology is available in stores that offer top-notch solutions to assure compliance and product safety? Let’s dive into DSI’s top recommendation below!
The Growing Need for Supply Chain Visibility
Today, consumers demand greater transparency about how a product is made, where it came from, and who made it.
It has become a key purchasing factor for consumers, particularly in industries such as food & beverages, electronics, and pharmaceuticals.
While supply chain traceability and visibility were once a competitive advantage, they have now become a necessity for every business. Businesses that fail to keep up with the demand are at risk with penalties and reputational damage. In addition, traceability helps businesses respond quickly during product recalls. With precise tracking data, companies can identify affected batches within minutes, reducing the scale of recalls and protecting brand credibility.
Otherwise, businesses that are equipped with the right tools and practices will be able to meet consumers’ expectations, regulatory requirements, and eventually build strong supply chain networks.
Why First-Mile Traceability Matters
First-mile traceability is the process of tracking a product from the “first-mile” or from the beginning of a product’s journey. The first mile may refer to a factory, a warehouse, or even a farm. But, why does this process matter for manufacturers? Here are the complete reasons.
Ensure Safety from the Source
First-mile traceability ensures that all products are safe from the start. It helps businesses avoid product recalls and ensure consumers safety from getting contaminated or injured because of unsafe products. For industries like food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, early-stage tracking also ensures that raw materials meet safety standards before entering the production line. This minimizes risks associated with cross-contamination and non-compliant ingredients.
Meet Regulatory Requirements
Every business must follow regulations set by local governments and international organizations regarding product safety and traceability. In this case, first-mile traceability provides essential proof to demonstrate compliance.
Streamline Quality Control
First-mile data helps businesses find issues early by giving insights about how materials are made and so on. This improves the quality control process and ensures consistency from the start to the final product. By capturing granular data from suppliers, manufacturers can detect anomalies such as inconsistent raw material quality or unusual production delays before they escalate into compliance issues.
Better Management
First-mile traceability also supports better management by enabling businesses to track supply, improve inventory planning, and make informed decisions at every production stage. It overall promotes operations more efficiently.
Technologies Enabling Supply Chain Traceability
There are numerous advanced technologies essential for products’ tracking, ensuring safety, and staying in compliance with any regulation. From inkjet printing to on-demand printing, this is a complete recommendation to streamline your production lines.
Batch-level Identification Using Inkjet Printing
Inkjet printers are a well-known method used to code information like batch numbers, QR codes, and expiration dates on packaging surfaces. Using this technology, every batch will be easily identified and tracked.
So, if certain products have quality issues, only those batches can be recalled avoiding a full-scale recall. Industrial inkjet systems are also compatible with various substrates including plastic bottles, metal cans, flexible films, and cartons making them suitable for multi-product manufacturing lines.
Cloud-Connected Coding Systems
These systems function similarly to inkjet printers but operate through cloud connectivity. It allows for automatic recordkeeping, meaning all data is stored and logged in online, thus making it easier to respond to any issues and improving supply chain traceability. Cloud-based platforms also allow supervisors to monitor line performance remotely, ensuring quicker intervention when print quality drops or when batches require verification.
ERP and Logistics Platforms Integration
ERP integration with logistics platforms plays a crucial role in connecting data across departments, including warehousing, purchasing, and delivery. The integration enables better visibility of products and avoids miscommunication across departments.
On-Demand Printing for Flexible Traceability
On-demand printing refers to the process of printing codes only if needed and often done using thermal printers. It’s suitable for small batch productions or customized packaging, supporting flexibility and agility. On-demand printing is especially useful for businesses that frequently change designs, packaging formats, or have seasonal products. This eliminates the need for pre-printed packaging while still maintaining accurate traceability.
Read About: Best Industrial Coding and Marking Solutions for Each Industry
The Role of CIJ Printers in Supply Chain Transparency
Continuous inkjet printers (CIJ) are not new to industrial printing, but they have been widely utilized across many industries to create traceable codes and accurate information, particularly for supply chain traceability.
Below is a more detailed explanation of CIJ’s role:
Print Unique Identifiers and Trackable Codes
CIJ often marks products with serial numbers, batch codes, and production dates, creating digital unique identifiers that are easy to track throughout the whole journey.
Easy Integration to Cloud or Software
CIJ printers are now equipped with advanced systems that enable integration with software and cloud platforms. This integration allows printed codes to be accessed in real-time and linked to products’ data, such as ingredients, origin, or destination.
Supports Compliance
By delivering accurate codes and visible information, CIJ helps businesses to stay in compliance with regulation and meet consumers’ expectations. This is particularly important across multiple industries from food packaging to pharmaceuticals. Because CIJ printers deliver fast, non-contact printing even on curved and uneven surfaces, they ensure consistent readability across high-speed production lines an essential requirement for global supply chain audits.
Read About: Integrated Printing Solutions for Supply Chain Management: Enhancing Efficiency with Inkjet Technology
DSI’s End-to-End Traceability Solutions
DSI provides supply chain traceability solutions through CIJ printers, allowing businesses to track all products from the very beginning of production to the final stage, all the way to end consumers.
Supported by cloud systems, real-time data, and accurate labelling, our technology helps you meet global compliance and build trust to your loyal consumers. Learn how our solution can be the best choice ever and see the complete list of our continuous inkjet printers here.
References
https://www.domino-printing.com/en/blog/2025/unlocking-first-mile-supply-chain-traceability
https://www.camcode.com/blog/what-is-a-qr-code/
https://www.foodsafetynews.com/
https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/law-topic/data-protection_en
