New workflow standards simplify package development

Food & Drug Packaging, April, 2002

One of the goals of the package development process in the food, beverage, pharmaceutical and personal care products industries is to develop packages quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively that are attractive to consumers and provide differentiation in the marketplace.

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has approved a new technical report developed by the Committee for Graphic Arts Technologies Standards (CGATS).

The report, "CGATS TR 011, Graphic Technology--Package Development Workflow--Design Concept Through Approved Production File" helps companies establish a manageable, predictable flow of information and material among partner firms participating in the package development and manufacturing process.

The CGATS TR 011 serves as a reference model for developing workflow procedures in the packaging development process from start to finish. It recommends roles and responsibilities of participants and provides default specifications for the information and materials exchange at each step of the workflow.

The procedures in the CGATS TR 011 are flexible to allow for product and organizational variation.

Copies of CGATS TR 011 are available from NPES--The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies in digital and hard copy formats for $20.00.

NPES
703-264-7200; orders@npes.org