Once your labeling system is integrated and visible, the next step in the automation journey is ensuring every label is correct—before it ever reaches your customers.
That’s where automated label verification comes in. Using barcode scanners or vision inspection technology, verification systems check label accuracy in real time, preventing costly errors and ensuring compliance across your product lines.
Automated verification is especially critical for companies that operate in regulated environments or manage a large number of SKUs where accuracy is essential.
Step 1: Identify Where Labeling Errors Are Costing You
Manual checking may work in low-volume operations, but for most manufacturers it introduces the risk of:
- Scrapped or reworked product
- Production slowdowns
- Customer complaints
- Chargebacks or penalties
- Failed audits
- Incorrect inventory tracking
Automated verification eliminated the human factors behind these risks and ensures accuracy at the speed of production.
Step 2: Apply the Right Verification Technology
Verification can take multiple forms depending on your product and line configuration:
- Barcode validation ensures barcodes are correct and scannable
- Vision inspection checks for label presence, placement, print quality and data accuracy
- OCR/OCV tools confirm correct text and characters
- Automated rejection systems identify errors and trigger immediate reprints
When these tools work alongside your print-and-apply equipment, errors are caught instantly - not downstream.
Step 3: Connect Verification to Your Data Systems
For maximum impact, verification should tie directly back into your ERP, WMS, or labeling software. This allows your system to:
- Log verification results for traceability
- Flag recurring issues
- Automatically remediate failures
- Prevent unauthorized printing
- Support compliance and auditing
This creates a closed-loop process where accuracy is guaranteed at every stage.
Why Automated Verification Matters
- Near-zero label errors
- Improved compliance (GHS, pharma, food, medical device, retail, GS1)
- Reduced labor and rework
- Consistent quality across every shift and operator
- Stronger customer confidence