Have you ever noticed the small colored circles or squares on the edges of food packaging? They often appear in a row, featuring different shades like red, blue, yellow, and black. Despite being present on many food products, a surprising number of people don’t know what they actually mean. Some believe they indicate freshness, nutritional content, or even secret industry codes. However, the real purpose is far simpler—but still important.
What Are These Colored Circles?
The colored circles or squares on food packaging are known as printer’s color control patches or registration marks. They are used in the printing process to ensure that all the colors used on the packaging are aligned correctly. When manufacturers print food labels, they typically use a four-color process: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (CMYK). Sometimes, additional spot colors are added for branding purposes, which is why you may see extra colors in these patches.
Why Are They Important?
These patches serve as a quality control tool for printers. They help ensure that all colors are printed evenly and correctly so that the final product looks exactly as intended. If there is any misalignment, fading, or missing colors, the patches reveal the problem during the printing process, allowing manufacturers to make adjustments before the packaging is used.
Do These Marks Indicate Anything About the Food?
No, the colored circles do not indicate anything about the food itself, such as its freshness, quality, or nutritional value. They are purely for technical printing purposes. However, because they are often found on food packaging, many people assume they have a hidden meaning related to the product inside.
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