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Cosmetic compacts labeled and coded

Co-manufacturer/packager of cosmetics replaces a manual label application process for compacts with an ink-jet coder and label applicator to increase speed, minimize waste.

The ink-jet coder print lot code numbers on-demand, on a range of label sizes and types, using either water- or solvent-based inks.
The ink-jet coder print lot code numbers on-demand, on a range of label sizes and types, using either water- or solvent-based inks.

The Contemporary Cosmetic Group, Inc. of Little Falls, NJ, has been formulating, manufacturing, and packaging private-label cosmetics since the mid-’70s, offering items such as lipsticks, powders, eyeshadows, cleansers, toners, and moisturizers, as well as many other makeup and skincare products. Customers include salons, spas, online retailers, and home shopping channels, looking for short runs of custom products.

As with any packaging business, whether producing short or long runs, speed is always an issue, with customers looking for faster and faster turnaround times for finished products. For CCG, the manual application of preprinted product labels on its cosmetic compacts had become a long and cumbersome process. Working with its equipment supplier, Custom Pak Solutions, CCG was able to minimize the steps and maximize the speed of its compact labeling and coding, while also eliminating label waste, through the use of a semi-automated solution.

Speed & flexibility

Before automating the process, CCG was ordering labels preprinted with product information and lot code numbers—a process that could sometimes take weeks. Operators at the Little Falls plant then manually applied the labels to the cosmetic compacts, and unused labels were discarded.

To meet CCG’s requirements, a new system needed to not only provide greater application speed, but also the ability to print lot codes on demand. Another requirement was flexibility. Says CCG President Ivonne Ruggles, “We wanted the capability to work with multiple label and compact sizes as well as multiple ink types.”

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