Since 1975, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required that all prescription tablets or capsules have a unique identification in terms of size, shape, color, and imprint. Drug makers use the imprints both to identify the chemical substance and dosage and for promotional purposes. Acceptable identification has traditionally been achieved by printing, debossing, or embossing. Debossing is pushing the image below the surface level of the product, and embossing is pushing the image above the surface level of the product. The coating systems used today have a tendency to fill in debossed or embossed areas, sometimes rendering them unidentifiable, especially by those with less than perfect eyesight. Printing is being used more often because it provides contrast, excellent compatibility with modern coatings, and a unique and attractive multicolor identification that can set the product apart from competition and virtually eliminate counterfeiting.

 The rise in popularity of printing has created the need to inspect printed tablets to ensure the integrity of the identification. Printing is normally accomplished by using a hard roll that is engraved with the image to be printed.

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