With over 30 years of experience, Polish company A-Z Color is one of the leading specialists in self-adhesive labels, heat-shrink labels and flexible packaging. At its modern production facility in Antonie near Ostroleka, the family-owned company with over 90 employees manufactures high-quality solutions for renowned customers in the cosmetics, food and pharmaceutical industries throughout Europe. Its mission: uncompromising precision in every print, especially in regulated markets. The label manufacturer confirms this promise of quality with ISO 9001:2015, BRC P&P Food Safety and FSC® certifications, as well as DPG qualification for the German market.
The challenge: zero tolerance for errors
In the pharmaceutical industry, precision is paramount. An incorrectly placed decimal point in dosage instructions, a slight change in batch number or a subtle colour change on a warning label can have serious consequences. Consequences can include production stoppages, batch recalls, regulatory audits, and threats to patient safety and brand reputation – an unacceptable risk for GMP-compliant supply chains. "Our priority has always been to deliver products that meet our customers' high expectations," explains Katarzyna Zecer-Gołaszewska, partner at A Z Colour. "However, in a dynamic market that does not forgive mistakes, ensuring absolute reliability at every stage of production was a real challenge." A-Z Color was faced with the task of finding a future-proof, automated solution that would combine 100% reliability with maximum production speed.
The search for a solution: no compromises on quality
A few years ago, A-Z Color implemented its first automated print inspection systems and evaluated their performance in long-term use. The selection criteria were simple and included ultra-precise detection, stable 24/7 performance, seamless integration, user-friendly design and reliable operation. "When selecting the right product, it is not only the technology and price that matter to us, but also the quality of cooperation," emphasises Zecer-Gołaszewska.
"We need partners who understand our requirements, share our quality standards and provide us with reliable support in our daily production. An evaluation of various quality control systems, taking into account pharmaceutical requirements and GMP guidelines, allowed us to make a clear decision: while competing systems failed in areas critical to the pharmaceutical industry, EyeC systems reliably and consistently detected even the smallest deviations.
Solution: technology meets practice
The EyeC Proofiler 600 DT offline scanner system was used to check the print pattern, while EyeC ProofRunner Web inline systems were used for 100% inspection on the label printing line. The EyeC Proofiler combines intelligent software with a high-resolution flatbed scanner and enables objective, repeatable quality control of text, colours, graphics, 1D and 2D codes, and Braille. It digitally compares printed products with approved PDF templates, checking both print quality and content accuracy. Based on this approach, EyeC ProofRunner Web cameras capture every label during the printing process. Each item is fully checked for accuracy, colour accuracy, registration accuracy and positioning accuracy, and then automatically verified. The system detects and flags errors in real time, so that only error-free products are processed further. All EyeC systems are equipped with pixel-accurate comparison algorithms that detect deviations of 0.1 millimetres, enable real-time analysis at full production speed and automatically compensate for differences in materials and prints. Intelligent contrast analysis also prevents false alarms. If deviations are detected, the system immediately notifies production, precisely locates the deviation and allows operators to make targeted corrections. By combining offline and inline systems, A-Z Colour was able to fully digitise its quality control process. The implementation was completed in record time without interrupting production. After two weeks of technical preparation, including analysis of production lines, infrastructure upgrades and definition of real-world test cases, three ProofRunner Web systems were installed, calibrated and tested in a single day with the active support of A-Z Colour's technologist and maintenance staff. After practical training for operators, the systems were immediately put into production mode. The installation complied with pharmaceutical standards and included approved documentation (IQ/OQ) and training certificates for all operators. "The installation can definitely be described as exemplary," confirms Zecer-Gołaszewska.
From pharmaceutical application to company-wide production standard
What began in 2019 as a targeted application in pharmaceutical labels has become a company wide standard. "Over time, we realised that EyeC solutions also offer us enormous benefits in other areas," adds Zecer-Gołaszewska. Today, in addition to the EyeC Proofiler, five EyeC ProofRunner systems are an integral part of production, operating virtually around the clock. The most recent installation took place in 2025. In accordance with internal standards, the systems must always be running when the printing machines are in operation. Monitored and controlled by printing house employees, shift managers and technologists, the systems check the entire printing process during all production shifts.
Success: A supplier becoming a strategic partner
The collaboration with EyeC was a decisive breakthrough for A-Z Colour in label production. In several years and thousands of production orders, only one defective printing template was produced. After joint analysis with the manufacturer, insufficient colour contrast was identified as the cause, the system parameters were adjusted and a preventive action protocol was implemented. Since then, the error rate has been zero. This has fundamentally changed quality assurance from random sampling to 100% automated inspection on the production line. The biggest advantage: deviations immediately lead to production stoppages, are documented and enable targeted corrections – fully GMP-compliant and audit-proof. For customers, especially in the pharmaceutical industry, this means no product recalls, complete documentation, audit security and predictable delivery dates. At the same time, the amount of waste and reprints has been significantly reduced, leading to real resource savings and significantly higher production efficiency . The investment has also paid off in business terms: A-Z Colour has transformed itself from a standard supplier to a preferred supplier for leading pharmaceutical companies. Top audit ratings, extended framework agreements, a growing number of orders, active recommendations and a reduced number of incoming inspections are proof of this increased trust. "In an industry where a single missing point can mean the difference between success and failure, EyeC is our life insurance," emphasises the expert. During audits and customer meetings, the manufacturer now uses automatic quality control as a clear differentiator.
Next steps: quality control as a strategy for the future
With the implementation of EyeC systems, A-Z Colour has set a new quality standard in label printing that guarantees error-free results, maximum process reliability and absolute design fidelity. Building on its successes to date, the company is now working on further development towards predictive quality control through data-driven analysis and continuous process improvement. The partnership with EyeC is an indispensable foundation for these activities. "Based on our consistently positive experience, we have no hesitation in recommending EyeC as a proven and reliable partner," concludes Katarzyna Zecer-Gołaszewska.
ROI-BOX
• 6 EyeC systems operating 24/7 (5x EyeC ProofRunner Web, 1x EyeC Proofiler)
• Error rate of almost 0% for many years • Installation in record time (1 day for 3 systems)
• Measurable cost savings through reduced waste
• Strengthened market position thanks to verifiable quality
• Measurable increase in customer satisfaction
Further information: www.EyeC.com