Like other printing and publishing companies, newspapers are beginning to track delivery, storage, use and performance of individual paper rolls. If newsprint-management systems are to work most effectively, they must be based on cross-industry, roll-numbering and labeling specifications.
In 1994, the Graphic Communications Association recognized this need and spearheaded a joint working group with representatives from the paper, printing and publishing industries. This group has proposed a standard roll identifier and is also developing a standard roll-label format.
The proposed North American Roll Identifier contains 13 characters (see diagram). This identifier is slated to replace the previous specification from the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry. The new roll identifier would be unique for a period of 10 years, an increase over the TAPPI specification's two-year cycle.
The proposed label format contains four separate fields:
NAA has not yet endorsed either the proposed roll identifier or the proposed label format. One unresolved issue is whether an international roll-identifier specification can be developed. The European and Japanese paper industries use several different roll-identifier codes. NAA plans to investigate the differences in these codes with other interested associations to determine whether they can be resolved.
GCA has published reports on both the North American Roll Identifier and the roll-labeling format. You can order them from GCA by calling (703) 519-8157.
Ruth Felland Bohner is NAA's production-materials manager. E-mail, fellr@naa.com; phone, (703) 648-1279.
©1997 Newspaper Association of America. All rights reserved.