Over the last 20 years there have been significant developments in the methods available for checking the quality of packaging components at Incoming Quality Control and these have been driven by, among other things the developments in electronic artwork creation.

The use of the PDF file as an acceptable substitute for the signed, approved printed master has meant that electronic methods of ‘proof-reading’ are having to be taken up by Quality Inspectors and this has led to the development of the ImageCompare Tool, a fully developed electronic comparison tool that allows inspection not only of the finished packaging components against the approved PDF but also PDF to PDF at the various stages of the artwork development process.

ImageCompare fulfils all of the requirements of a validated comparison tool for the inspection of packaging components in a pharmaceutical environment, including the supply of validation documents, 21 CFR Part 11 compliance and full audit trail.

Unlike some other comparator systems ImageCompare is also a full colour inspection software allowing inspection of the colour within defined limits and does not require the use of external software to enable the system to function and is a fully integrated solution.

While the ImageCompare system was developed initially for checking quality at the printers it has, over the last 15 years become a fully developed QC tool which is now in use in many pharmaceutical companies for comparing incoming packaging.

In addition to the standard print comparison ImageCompare can also check Braille, not only comparing dot to dot in both the PDF and scanned image but it will also decode the text and display in standard font when the Braille conforms to the recognised standards (ECMA)