Andreja Pogačar

Modern packaging must be efficient, safe, and attractively designed, while also minimizing unnecessary waste. Eco-design principles, such as material reduction, reusability, and minimal environmental impact, were central to this study. We applied these principles to the development of innovative, multipurpose gift packaging and labels, optimizing material use, eliminating unnecessary printing, and integrating sustainable features such as a structural design which requires no gluing. Alongside choosing eco-friendly materials, namely corrugated cardboard and a biodegradable paper label, eco-design guidelines in packaging and label creation were followed. Packaging of unconventional shape without printing and different versions of labels for bottles and packaging were designed. Graphic elements included on the labels are the logo, illustration, 18th Century font, and lines of varying thicknesses. To provide additional information and enhance product appeal while reducing printing, an interactive element was incorporated. In the conducted study, the respondents of a survey and focus groups evaluated the quality, price range, and visual appeal of packaging and labels. For the augmented reality application, a label with a QR code was created. A scenario and a visual story board were created, and an animation activated via the QR code was produced. The usage experience was tested by the focus groups, who provided feedback on the animation and the overall experience. This iterative process ensured that the packaging and labels met both functional and experiential expectations.

Interaktivna embalaža nadgradi osnovno informacijsko funkcijo embalaže in ustvarja dvosmerno komunikacijo med uporabnikom in embalažo. Med interaktivno embalažo uvrščamo nosilce za prenos podatkov, kot so 2D kode, radiofrekvenčna identifikacija (RFID), visokofrekvenčna komunikacija kratkega dosega (NFC) in obogatena resničnost (AR). V prispevku je predstavljena interaktivnost, osredotočeno na področje poznavanja in uporabe inteligentnih elementov na embalaži ter njihov vpliv na potrošnika. Raziskava se je osredotočila na prehrambno embalažo. Za pridobivanje podatkov je bila izvedena spletna anketa, dobljene rezultate pa smo statistično ovrednotili. Rezultati so pokazali, da potrošniki poznajo interaktivno embalažo, vendar pa ne uporabljajo njene funkcije pogosto. Največkrat prepoznajo in odčitajo QR kodo, najmanj izkušenj pa imajo z obogateno resičnostjo.

Labels are a crucial component of products, offering informational content and attractive visuals; therefore, the durability of the print is an important quality requirement. On the other hand, in accordance with eco-design, the recyclability of printed labels is vital. In our research, the focus was on the assessment of the durability, recyclability, and deinkability of printed label paper equipped with printed RFID tags. The determined color fastness of electrophotographic prints affected by various environmental factors showed good resistance to dry rubbing and, in most cases, light and moist–heat treatment, confirming the applicability of digital printing on self-adhesive biodegradable paper labels. In the second part of this study, recyclability was assessed, and a comparison between the deinkability of the offset and digital prints and two conductive functional inks was conducted. Good deinkability was observed for the printed RFID antennas on both the offset and electrographic prints, with only a small deterioration in optical properties, especially when nano-silver conductive ink was used. The study highlights the importance of the selection of materials and printing techniques when considering the environmental impact of printed electronics. The results showed that INGEDE 11 is a suitable deinking method for printed RFID antennas on offset and electrographic prints.

Naraščanje uporabe digitalnega tiska in povečana prisotnost tiskane elektronike vplivata na reciklabilnost papirja in kakovost papirja za recikliranje. Namen naše raziskave je bil preučiti reciklabilnost digitalno tiskanih etiket opremljenih s tiskano RFID anteno. Etiketni papir smo potiskali z magenta tiskarsko barvo v elektrofotografskem postopku tiska s suhim tonerjem. Na hrbtno, nepotiskano stran papirja smo v naslednjem koraku natisnili komercialno UHF RFID anteno s funkcionalno kovinsko barvo. Ocena reciklabilnosti je bila izvedena v skladu z Ingede metodo 11 s katero se izvaja preiskus odstranitve tiskarske barve. Na recikliranih vzorcih so bile določene optične lastnosti: svetlost, ISO belina, barvnometrične lastnosti in ERIC vrednost ter število in površina nečistoč. Raziskava je potrdila dobro reciklabilnost elektrografskega tiska s suhim tonerjem in izboljšanje učinka razsivitve s flotacijo. Izkazalo se je, da prisotnost RFID oznak ne vpliva na sam postopek recikliranja in da ima zanemarljiv vpliv na optične lastnosti recikliranih vzorcev.