GS1 Sunrise 2027 is starting to move from theory into day-to-day discussion on packaging floors. It is often described as legislation, but that framing misses the point. Sunrise 2027 is an industry deadline, driven by GS1 and major retailers, that signals when point of sale systems are expected to reliably scan and use GS1-compliant 2D barcodes alongside traditional UPC and EAN.
Once retailers can scan 2D codes at checkout, the burden shifts upstream. Brands and manufacturers must print those codes consistently, at speed, and with enough quality margin to survive the supply chain. That is why this change matters so much to CIJ and TIJ printing.
The symbol change is only part of the story. The real shift is the data model. A 1D barcode carries a GTIN and little else. A GS1 2D barcode can carry multiple data elements in a single mark, which introduces both opportunity and risk.
Typical GS1 2D content includes:
GTIN
Batch or lot number
Expiry or use-by date
Serial number
Optional GS1 Digital Link URL
This data is variable by nature. That pushes printing away from pre-printed labels and toward inline, real-time marking, where printers become part of the data flow, not just the line hardware.
Linear barcodes and text are forgiving. 2D barcodes are not. Each cell must land in the right place, with the right shape and contrast, every time. Small variations that never triggered complaints before now result in poor verification grades or scan failures at checkout.
Key quality pressures introduced by 2D codes include:
Tighter control of dot placement and cell geometry
Higher sensitivity to ink spread and substrate variation
Less tolerance for drift in printer setup or consumables
Greater reliance on formal barcode verification rather than visual checks
These pressures affect CIJ and TIJ in different ways.
CIJ printers remain extremely capable, but Sunrise 2027 narrows the operating window. Dense 2D codes at small sizes push the limits of drop control, especially at high speeds. On porous materials, ink spread can round cell edges enough to degrade scan performance. Routine changes in viscosity or nozzle condition become visible much faster in 2D symbols than in text.
CIJ continues to make sense where:
The 2D code can be printed at a larger size
The substrate demands solvent-based inks
Line speeds are high and environments are harsh
The code sits on secondary packaging rather than the primary pack
What changes is the level of discipline required. CIJ 2D printing demands tighter setup, more frequent checks, and proper verification to stay within acceptable limits.
TIJ printers align more naturally with the demands of GS1 2D codes. High native resolution and consistent drop size help maintain square cells and sharp edges, even in compact symbols. This makes TIJ particularly effective for small DataMatrix codes on primary packaging.
TIJ strengths under Sunrise 2027 include:
Easier achievement of high verification grades on dense 2D codes
Stable print quality across variable data sets
Faster SKU and content changeovers
The trade-offs are different rather than smaller. Ink adhesion must be matched to the substrate, head distance must be controlled, and consumable costs can rise with heavy coverage. Many operations accept these trade-offs because the quality margin is easier to hold.
Sunrise 2027 does not just add a new barcode format. It changes how printing fits into the production system. Data generation, printer control, and verification all become linked.
Most manufacturers should expect:
Inline generation of variable GS1 data
Dual marking with 1D and 2D during transition periods
Routine use of barcode verifiers on the line
More collaboration between packaging, IT, and quality teams
Printer choice becomes a process decision, not a hardware preference.
There is no single “right” printer for Sunrise 2027. Most operations will land on a hybrid approach, using TIJ where dense, high-quality 2D codes are required on consumer packs, and CIJ where substrates, environments, or packaging format demand it.
The bigger shift is cultural rather than technical. GS1 Sunrise 2027 exposes weaknesses in print control that were always present but easy to ignore. The teams that succeed will be the ones already testing, measuring, and verifying 2D codes under real production conditions, well before 2027 forces the issue.
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