Sunrise 2027: Is Your Print and Labeling Environment Ready?
Sunrise 2027: Is Your Print and Labeling Environment Ready?
Estimated Read Time: 4 Minutes
Barcode technology is changing, and many businesses need to start preparing now.
As barcode standards evolve, Stargel can help your business review, modernize, and manage the print environment that keeps your operation moving.
With the upcoming GS1 Sunrise 2027 initiative, many organizations are preparing for a shift from traditional 1D barcodes to more advanced 2D barcodes, such as QR codes and DataMatrix codes.
These next-generation barcodes can hold more information, support better traceability, and help connect physical products to digital data.
For companies that rely on barcode labels, shipping labels, product labels, asset tags, inventory labels, compliance labels, or thermal printing, this change creates an important opportunity.
Now is the time to ask a simple question:
Is your current print and labeling environment ready for what comes next?
What Is Sunrise 2027?
Sunrise 2027 is a global initiative designed to help businesses prepare for broader adoption of 2D barcodes at point-of-sale and across the supply chain.
Traditional 1D barcodes have served businesses for decades. However, 2D barcodes can carry more detailed information.
Depending on the application, this information may include:
- Product data
- Lot numbers
- Expiration dates
- Serial numbers
- Traceability information
- Digital links
As a result, businesses can improve visibility, accuracy, and access to product information.
However, this shift also raises an important question:
Can your current print and labeling environment support the future of barcode technology?
Why Sunrise 2027 Matters for Your Business
Many businesses depend on labels every day, but they do not always think about the systems behind those labels until something goes wrong.
A barcode that does not scan properly can slow down shipping.
A worn-out printer can interrupt production.
The wrong label or ribbon can create quality issues.
An outdated print environment can increase costs, downtime, and frustration.
As Sunrise 2027 approaches, businesses should begin asking important questions:
- Can our current printers produce high-quality 2D barcodes?
- Are our labels durable enough for our application?
- Can our scanners and systems support 2D barcode adoption?
- Do we have visibility into our print and labeling costs?
- Are critical devices causing downtime or service issues?
- Are we relying on aging printers that may need replacement?
- Do we have a proactive plan, or are we reacting when problems happen?
These questions matter because print and labeling directly affect operations, compliance, inventory accuracy, shipping efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
How Managed Print Services Can Help
Managed Print Services gives businesses a more proactive way to manage their print environment.
Instead of guessing what devices you have, how much you print, where costs are increasing, or which printers create the most downtime, MPS provides better visibility and control.
At Stargel, our Managed Print Services approach can help customers evaluate their current environment and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and prepare for future print and labeling needs.
This may include reviewing:
- Office printers and multifunction devices
- Thermal printers and barcode label printers
- Shipping, product, and inventory labeling workflows
- Print volumes and usage trends
- Device age and replacement needs
- Service history and downtime
- Toner, label, and ribbon usage
- Security and network readiness
- Overall print and labeling costs
Once you understand your current environment, you can make better decisions about what to keep, what to replace, and where to improve.
Preparing for the Future of Print and Labeling
Sunrise 2027 is not just about changing barcodes. It is about helping businesses prepare for a more connected, data-driven, and efficient future.
For some organizations, that may mean upgrading thermal printers.
For others, it may mean reviewing label materials, improving barcode quality, replacing aging devices, or creating a more predictable service and supply program.
The key is to start the conversation early.
Waiting until a customer, retailer, compliance requirement, or supply chain partner forces a change can create unnecessary pressure and expense.
Taking a proactive approach now allows your business to plan ahead, budget properly, and reduce disruption.
Stargel Can Help You Remove the Guesswork
At Stargel, we help businesses take control of their print and labeling environments.
Whether you need Managed Print Services for office printers, thermal printer support for your warehouse, barcode label printing solutions, service on critical devices, or a more predictable Cost Per Label program, our team can help you build a plan that fits your operation.
Sunrise 2027 is a good reminder that print is not standing still.
The businesses that prepare now will be better positioned to support future barcode requirements, improve operational efficiency, and reduce unexpected print-related challenges.
If your business relies on printing, labeling, scanning, shipping, or inventory tracking, now is the time to review your environment and make sure you are ready for what comes next.
Stargel can help you remove the guesswork and prepare for the future of print.
