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Deciphering Common Medical Device Labeling Symbols

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If you work in any area of the medical industry, you likely have some familiarity with medical device labeling symbols. You've probably seen the images on everything from pill bottles to medical equipment.

But do you ever wonder why we use symbols in the medical industry? They almost seem like hieroglyphics or a coded message. Have you seen the medical device labeling symbols and asked yourself what they mean? We see them printed on medical labels in the lab, the pharmacy, or throughout any medical practice.

Fortunately, medical device labeling symbols are standardized, and you can decipher most with just a little sleuthing to find a medical device symbols glossary. These medical device labeling symbols are essential—they keep consumers, patients, and medical professionals efficient, informed, and safe from harm.

Why Medical Device Labeling Symbols Keep Us Safe

Medical device labeling symbols are simple images that convey a lot of critical information. Symbols on medical devices can indicate storage guidelines for an item. They can symbolize safety precautions needed or offer guidance on how a medical product should be administered or used.

For years, the medical industry has used symbols in labeling, largely because symbols are universal, but the medical device labeling standards have shifted and evolved over time. As manufacturers and technology have changed, the number of symbols has grown, and designers have adapted them to encompass the medical industry's new needs.

Medical device users need not understand English or know how to read to understand the symbols. The understandability of medical device labeling symbols is particularly helpful for global markets. When manufacturers create a medical device or product, they can market it in any country, not just the native manufacturing region. Medical device symbols are essentially universal (although countries may have their own medical device labeling standards and guidelines).

Symbols Are Used Everywhere

Symbols have long been used in consumer goods—not only for medical devices but in many different products. The characters on a product label might tell the consumer about the contents inside or how they can recycle the container. There are symbols used in kosher food manufacturing and symbols to indicate the organic origins of food. Some symbols might tell consumers how to store products or warn them about misusing the products as well.

As with medical labels, the symbols used for all products are there because they convey a message in a clear, easy-to-follow manner. There are no concerns about language barriers or inability to read when pictures are used on a label. Labeling symbols make products more accessible and easier to use—something that’s particularly crucial when it comes to the medical field.

Symbols also take up less valuable label real estate. When you're trying to convey a lot of information in a small amount of space, a symbol can help you get your message across quickly and clearly. Medical device labeling symbols are ubiquitous in the medical field because often, there are many instructions needed. A symbol is a convenient, straightforward way to get that information across to anyone who needs to know.

Medical Device Labeling Symbols Offer a Lot of Information in a Little Picture

So what can we learn by looking at medical device labeling symbols? There's a lot of information conveyed, but some of the symbols can get confusing for those new to the medical profession or less familiar.

In 2016, the FDA released the final rule on the “Use of Symbols in Labeling.” These rules allow symbols on medical device labeling without accompanying explanatory text. These criteria helped those navigating label design and figuring out how to fit the necessary information on a medical device. You can use a standalone medical device labeling symbol as long as the symbol meets certain standards (like those set forth by the American National Standards Institute, ANSI, or International Organization for Standardization, ISO).

Manufacturers may also use a symbol that's not part of the ISO standards if they can show that the symbol is easily decipherable to their target audience. The FDA rule also mandates that manufacturers include a symbols glossary (in paper or electronically) available to users as part of the labeling or packaging. However, the glossary isn’t needed if a company prints explanatory text along with the symbol.

There are many positives about the medical device labeling standards and guidelines. Using symbol-only labels makes the message clear, safe, and easy to comprehend. In a small amount of space, the safety labels can still get the message across.

One aspect of labeling that the medical device labeling ruling underscores is the critical need to choose the correct label for the job. When you’re relying on a small medical label to offer so much important information, it needs to have the right finish, lamination, and adhesive to stay in place and stick to the medical device. Even though the symbols and labels are standardized, it's still essential to seek the highest quality labels with resistant coatings and finishes.

At T&L Graphics, we offer labels in an array of finishes and types, including chemical, cold, and heat-resistant options. We serve the medical field with labels such as:

  • Medical imaging
  • Pharmaceutical labels
  • Vial labels
  • I.V. labels
  • Biohazard labels for containers
  • Admission labels
  • Labels for radiology
  • Medical device and equipment labels

We can recommend the right adhesive and label material to ensure your labels can stand up to frequent use, wear, and tear. When you rely on labels for critical information, don't settle for anything less than the top of the line. Reach out to us today to get the right labels for all your important applications.

Conveying Information Customers Need: Product Labeling Requirements

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Product Labeling Requirements

Your product label is one of the best messaging tools for you to connect with your customers. There’s a lot of information on that little bit of space, and you want to maximize that message!

But what are the product labeling requirements? What information do you need to include? It's essential to figure out what MUST be on your label so that you can make the most of the rest of the label real estate.

Whether you're running a large-scale operation or starting with a small line of products, it's important to follow the labeling requirements for anything you sell to the public. Today we’ll explore product labeling requirements to help ensure you’re getting the right information on your products.

Why Product Labeling Requirements Exist

Imagine buying foods and products in the late 1800s. Cosmetics and food were beginning to be widely distributed across the country. Before the industrial revolution, you were stuck eating and using whatever products you could produce yourself and make in your kitchen. You knew all the ingredients and exactly how you made it. Once general stores, traveling merchants, and catalog delivery became widespread, people could get nearly any product they wanted.

At the same time, laws and regulations weren't in place to protect consumers from the dangers of certain unknown ingredients. Many cosmetics and food products contained ingredients that were hazardous and even poisonous. For example, Coca-Cola got its name because it originally contained traces of cocaine from the coca leaf. Other items contained opium derivatives and ingredients like formaldehyde, borax, lead, and even arsenic!

Similarly frightening, food and cosmetic producers could hide spoilage by adding flavoring and coloring to mask signs of decay. When transporting certain items could take weeks at the advent of refrigeration, products could still quickly go bad. Manufacturers added dyes, perfumes, salts, acids, and even creatively colored packaging to make products seem fresher and healthier than they really were.

Finally, in the early 1900s, the U.S. Government Bureau of Chemistry regulators started to test products' safety and began to require labeling to include certain ingredients and information. Initially, they tested many additives to ensure that the levels were safe for consumption and set forth guidelines that manufacturers had to follow. With the Food and Drug Administration's birth in 1930, additional transparency requirements came about, including general product labeling requirements in food and cosmetics.

Over the 20th Century, food and cosmetic labeling requirements would grow and become more uniform. Finally, in 1993, the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA) was put in place to set many of the typical label requirements we still see today. The NLEA requires ingredient listings, nutritional listings on food products, and all health claims to be substantiated and supported by research. The NLEA standardized the information on product labels and ensured that consumers know about dangerous ingredients, allergens, or other items of concern in their food and toiletries. Although some product labeling requirements are still evolving, such as those regulating essential oils and supplements, a good general rule is to follow the FDA guidelines to ensure you’re telling customers what they need to know.

Product Labeling Requirements Apply to Small Sellers Too

Suppose you're creating a product to sell on your own or through an online marketplace like Etsy or eBay. In that case, it's vital that you still familiarize yourself with product labeling requirements and do your best to follow the product labeling regulations.

Smaller creators may be covered under the “Cottage Food Laws” of their particular state. These state-specific guidelines give lenience to home cooks and small-scale producers, but they vary widely. Some states do not allow cottage food sellers, even at farmers' markets. It's essential to familiarize yourself with the laws regulating your state. If you're shipping across the country, you should follow national (FDA) guidelines.

Restaurants that occasionally sell packaged products like their famous salsa or their deserts are still required to include ingredients, serving size, and allergen contents on their product labeling as well. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the FDA temporarily relaxed some of the stringent requirements, allowing restauranteurs to sell off extra food as “take out,” without robust product labels.

While there are thresholds in the FDA’s product labeling requirements—food sellers with under $50,000 in food sales or under $500,000 in business revenue—it's important for even small sellers to follow the regulations. Product labeling requirements are in place to keep consumers safe and informed. By following the label guidelines, you're setting your business up to avoid liability and the dangers that could come with a mislabeled product.

What Exactly are the Product Labeling Requirements for Cosmetics? For Food?

So if you've created a great new product or a great new beverage, what do you need to say on the label? What are the product labeling requirements to keep your product on the up and up?

According to the FDA and the FTC, cosmetic products must include:

  • An identity statement with a common name, description, a commonly understood term, or an illustration.
  • The quantity, weight, measurement, or count.
  • Name and place of the manufacturer (or product distributor or packer) and a distribution statement, like "manufactured on behalf of…." (if the name and address isn't the manufacturer).
  • Directions and material facts—in other words, how your product should be used, especially if using it in another manner could be dangerous.
  • Warnings should the product contain hazardous or flammable ingredients [per 21 CFR part 700].
  • Ingredients “in descending order of predominance.”

Food product labels must also include:

  • Prominent information panel (placement guidelines are listed in the FDA’s Food Labeling Guide).
  • Ingredients, allergens, and nutrition information, following FDA specifications, including typeface, weight, and uniform display.
  • Serving size.

The FDA’s comprehensive Food Labeling Guide is easy to follow and offers clarification and details on important areas like beverages, fruit juices, canned goods, and more. All food, drink, and cosmetic sellers should take the time to explore the product labeling requirements and regulations to make sure you're including everything necessary on your product.

Once the critical product labeling requirements have been met, you can figure out the fun part of designing and creating a product label that stands out. You’ll want a label that captures your brand and catches the consumer’s eye. Fortunately, we can help! At T&L Graphic Systems, we know how to create labels that make the most of your product. Reach out today, and we'll help you create the labels you need for all your products.

Logistics and Labels: 5 Reasons Why Supply Chain Labeling is Important

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Supply Chain labeling

In the last year, the United States has fought through the global pandemic of COVID-19. During this time, our supply chain has been crucial to keeping America running. Supply chain labeling is an essential and often overlooked piece of the logistics puzzle.

While 2020 has been a year like no other, the truth is that the supply chain is always critical to our survival and meeting our needs. Manufacturing and transporting goods across the country has been vital to our well-being since the days of the industrial revolution.

In challenging times and “normal” times, logistics and the supply chain keep us running smoothly. Here are 5 reasons why supply chain labeling is important.

1. Supply Chain Labeling Helps Suppliers Communicate

At the very core, labels are a communication tool. A label tells us what’s in the box, bottle, container, or shelf. Supply chain labeling, like medical labeling, consumer product labels, and all other labeling forms, acts as a sign. The labels send a signal and message to those who read them.

Today, the reader may be a computer and a scanner, using barcoding to track and inventory products. Ultimately, though, it's the human manufacturer and the human recipient who will benefit from the communication chain. Quality-printed labels send a message and ensure that message is clear. Labels are an important tool for branding, consumer connections, and the identity of products.

2. Labeling Aids in Quick Identification

In manufacturing, shipping, and logistics, as with many other industries, labels help identify a lot of information with a simple, quick scan. Because labels use numerical values and patterns, they help keep the supply chain organized and efficient. Orders come in, products go out, and suppliers can pinpoint what and where everything is in the process.

When workers pick and scan in a warehouse, they need to get the correct product on the pallet. Labels make scanning and identification a straightforward process. Team members are faster and more efficient in their work, thanks to labeling.

3. Barcoding Helps Track and Organize

Barcoding was invented in the 1950s by Norman Woodland. The concept was based on morse code, using thick and thin lines to code a scannable message. It would take several decades before barcoding became commonplace, but this invention set the stage for much of the product tracking we use every day in the supply chain.

Coding is so common these days that we hardly think of the barcodes found on nearly every product. These labels assist in inventory tracking, as well as provide valuable information on demographics and demand. It’s crucial that barcoding is clear and placed correctly. Reflectance, smearing, and tearing can inhibit an accurate read. Quality barcodes are a must because barcodes help us track and organize everything in the supply chain.

4. Labeling Helps in Recalls

A recall is something that no manufacturer wants to think of, but labels help us minimize the damage when product recalls happen. Enhanced tracking and custom logistics label solutions help ensure that no matter where a product is, it's easily identifiable. Because product labels convey essential information, including ingredients, dates, and origin, we can use the label to refine the recall and ensure that the only products returned are damaged.

Clear, correct labels also help prevent product recalls. One of the most common reasons for recalls is misprinted label information, so labels must be printed properly, easy-to-read, and stay affixed with the right adhesive.

5. Shipping Relies on Supply Chain Labeling

Labels play a critical role at the shipping point of the supply chain process as well. In fact, in many cases, the correct information on a shipping label is the most vital label detail. Without the right information, products can get held up and delayed.

A missing label may extend delivery times and may even result in lost or damaged products. When a product must get to the right destination quickly, a clear, durable label is essential.

Supply chain labeling is the backbone of the health and efficiency of industry. When you need labels you can rely on, T&L Graphics has you covered. From die-cutting to tear and abrasion-proof coatings to high-strength bonding and temperature resistance, our labels stay clear and stay put.

5 Features of Pharmacy Labels that Help Convey Critical Information

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5 Pharmacy Labels

When we think of patient-physician communication, we may think of face-to-face interactions. But one of the most crucial methods of patient communication is the pharmacy label. Right now, when people across the U.S. are highly focused on health and wellbeing as we battle the Coronavirus pandemic, communication—especially medical and pharmaceutical directions—is vital.

Every day, patients read their prescription labels before they take medication. If there’s a question about when or how to take a drug, they check the label. All that information is right there at a glance, keeping them safe and healthy.

At T&L Graphics, we know the importance of labels for the medical and pharmaceutical industries. Pharmacy labels and medical labels keep patients well-informed. They offer instructions, details, and warnings to prevent missteps and mistakes. Our labels are the highest quality—made to stick around and stay put. When you rely on pharmacy labels, T&L has you covered.

Here are 5 features of pharmacy labels that keep patients safe.

1. Universal Symbols and Messages

Using universal symbols, colors, and messages, pharmacy labels quickly convey information using a visual marker. For example, medications that shouldn’t be taken with alcohol, before driving, or on an empty stomach require a warning.

Auxiliary pharmacy labels include these essential instructions using bright, noticeable colors and clear, universal symbols. These indicators ensure that patients don’t miss messages and make mistakes when they’re taking medicine. These pharmacy labels also convey clear signals to the pharmacy staff, who may need to counsel patients on proper dosing instructions. Eliminate mistakes with clear, concise, noticeable labels.

2. Resistant to Wear and Tear

A label is only as good as its durability. After all, a missing label is no good for anyone. Fortunately, our labels are made to resist wear and tear. Pharmacy labels are often frequently handled—typically daily—so they must be clear and easy-to-read.

In a busy pharmacy or practitioners' office, the staff doesn't have time to struggle with a label that's hard to dispense and won't stay put. Our labels are available in easy-to-use rolls that allow one-handed placement. This simple measure helps to make dispensing medication easier and safer. Smudge-proof lamination and specialty coatings are available to ensure your labels will withstand handling as well as the test of time.

3. Options for Harsh Conditions

Our pharmacy labels are fade-resistant and designed to stay in place, even with heavy use. Pharmacy labels are often exposed to harsh conditions, from heat and moisture to cold and chemical treatments. We offer heat and chemical-resistant coatings to ensure the message on your pharmacy labels stays clear.

Using special adhesives and label protection such as UV light-cured coatings, our labels are ideal for all aspects of pharmaceutical use from infusion therapies to refrigerated medications. We offer labels designed for the clinical setting as well, made to stand up to cryogenics, the heat of the autoclave, and chemical baths.

4. Barcoding and Thermal Printing Choices

Barcoding offers a clear way to organize and track information using a simple labeling system. We provide consecutive barcoding and scannable labels to protect patient privacy and help you keep track of items throughout every step of treatment.

Thermal printing provides an easy, clear way to track the movement of pharmaceuticals, specimens, and other items. Thermal printer compatible labels allow you to customize information, convey patient instructions, and provide directions. These labels guide patients on dosing and use, keeping them informed and safe.

5. Drug Class Color-Coding

With a glance, pharmacists can see the dispensing class of certain medications and other crucial information. Standard color-coded systems help you keep track of drug-class type, so you can quickly glean the information you need and stay aware of any restrictions or contraindications.

When you're in charge of the health and wellbeing of pharmaceutical patients, labels play a vital role in the process. Color-coded, straightforward, easy-to-apply labels are an essential tool to help you communicate clearly to patients and staff.

T&L Graphics wants to convey our appreciation to the frontline and healthcare workers keeping us safe during this time. We're proud to serve the pharmaceutical and medical industry with labels you can rely on in any situation. Contact us to help with all your pharmacy label needs.

People Must Know What’s Inside the Test Tube

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Why printed labels are so important

In times of medical uncertainty, like the global Coronavirus pandemic we’re facing, it’s easy to overlook the common tools that contribute to keeping people protected and safe.

Printed labels are one of those important tools that often go unnoticed. From the lab to the clinic, to cleaning and sanitizing supplies, labeling plays a crucial role. When you need to know critical information, labels are a communication method you can depend on.

At T&L Graphics, we’re proud of the small-but-significant role we’re able to play in supporting medical professionals in the laboratory and on the frontlines of fighting the outbreak. Not only do we go above and beyond to meet our client needs, but through our essential work, we’ve supplied our clients with labels when they need them the most. It’s times like these that underscore why printed labels are so important and play a crucial role in patient health and safety.

Here’s why printed labels are more important than ever.

1. Labels Help Laboratories with Accuracy

Laboratories are on the frontlines of any fight against illness. From outbreaks to the flu season, to routine screening tests, labels help laboratories keep track of patient samples and convey important information to technicians. Mislabeled specimens are one of the most common yet preventable sources of errors in the medical field.

When a laboratory technician draws a sample, they affix a label with a bar code to track the specimen. This thermally printed label will accompany the sample through every phase of the journey, from the draw through the diagnostic laboratory tests.

2. Labels Keep Medical Staff Organized

In a busy clinic or emergency room, practitioners rely on the accurate messaging provided by medical labels. Our thermal labels are printed with bar-coded information that is uniquely assigned to each patient. With a simple scan, clinicians can access patient information as needed.

Printed medical labeling also ensures that pharmaceutical details are clearly printed and adhered to bottles. Warning and biohazard labels ensure that personnel follow safety protocols and provide patients with what they need when they need it the most. When there's no room for error, labels promote accuracy and organization.

3. Labels Stay in Place in Many Conditions

Thanks to special adhesives, our medical labels hold up to a variety of conditions, from the heat of the autoclave to chemical baths, cryogenics, and refrigeration. Labeling is critical to all aspects of testing and treatment. When you rely on a label, you need an adhesive that won’t budge!

Special coatings are available to protect labels from moisture, heat, and chemicals. UV coatings are treated with ultraviolet light to cure the protective varnish. These labels are used in medical laboratories, phlebotomy, critical care, and throughout the many steps of the diagnostic process.

4. Labels Help Keep Track While Protecting Privacy

Professionals rely on printed labels to convey information clearly and accurately. Easy-to-read, smudge-proof labels are crucial for patient care. But bar-coded labels also play an essential part in patient protection.

With thermal printing, a scannable barcode protects patient privacy and ensures that personal information is never exposed. Not only does label barcoding help clinicians track samples throughout the testing process, but labels ensure patient information is kept private.

Labels may not seem vital, but in a medical emergency, conveying accurate information is a matter of life and death. When you need information that you can rely on, printed labels deliver.

T&L applauds the many frontline workers who are battling to keep us safe and protected during times of medical crisis. We’re proud to assist workers with reliable printed labels to help them do their critical jobs. Contact us for all your printed label needs, including labels that will keep patients safe and withstand the harshest conditions.