Case Study: Scalable Calibration Labeling for Medical Device Manufacturer

Case Study: Calibration Label Solution for Medical Device Manufacturer

A leading medical device manufacturer needed a calibration labeling solution that could scale. With GMP Labeling's exerptise in calibration labels, they achieved operational efficiency, improved compliance traceability, and a 34% material cost reduction.

Scalable Calibration Labeling for Evolving Compliance Needs

How One Medical Device Manufacturer Leveraged GMP Labeling's Calibration Solutions to Match Growth and Compliance Demands
Technician setting up medical device manufacturing equipment

Summary

In highly regulated industries like medical device and aerospace manufacturing, maintaining calibrated equipment is not just best practice—it’s a compliance imperative. Quality control teams are tasked with ensuring traceability, accountability, and accuracy for every piece of calibrated equipment on the floor.


One leading medical device manufacturer, responding to evolving audit requirements and operational scale, turned to GMP Labeling for a labeling system that could grow with their needs. Our calibration label solutions allowed them to start small and scale to a fully digitized, high-volume solution—all with the same supplier and expert support team.

The Challenge

Initially, the medtech manufacturer needed a simple and affordable way to identify equipment calibration status. Their QC team managed this manually by handwriting labels, but concerns about label durability, handwriting legibility, and data traceability soon grew.


As their operations expanded, they needed a calibration labeling system that could meet ISO, FDA, and AS9100 requirements—without slowing down technicians or risking audit findings. The solution needed to include durable labels that could withstand chemical wipedowns, abrasion, and time.

graphic showing labeling challenge for med device manufacturing

The Solution

The medical device manufacturer worked with GMP Labeling to identify a label solution for every stage of their operational growth. Our Calibration label solutions follow three stages - the essentials, upgraded durabitliy, and digitization.

Stage 1: Start with the essentials

At the beginning, the quality team used our cost-effective, write-on calibration labels that are perfectly suited for low-volume or startup operations. These labels are:


  • Easy to use and apply
  • Color-coded for visibility
  • Calibration specific with field for essential data: calibration date, due date, technician, and ID#

These labels were enough to satisfy internal SOPs and inspector expectations.

S089 CALIBRATION DATE Status Label

Stage 2: Upgrade for greater durability

As calibrated equipment quantities grew, along with the elements that the equipment were exposed to, the quality team upgraded to a self-laminating calibration label. While volume and complexity were still low, a handwritten label was adequate. But by utilizing a self-laminating label, the technicians were able to ensure that their entries were protected from:


  • Smudging during routine use
  • Moisture and chemical exposure
  • Fading over time

This low-effort upgrade preserved critical calibration information and boosted confidence during audits, while maintaining a low-tech, flexible workflow.

S088 CALIBRATION DATE (Self Laminating) Status Label

Stage 3: Scale with Digitization and Volume

As the company expanded, with higher quantities of devices requiring documented calibration, the quality team again turned to GMP Labeling for a solution. The volume of calibration labels required made it no longer feasible to handwrite labels. And because the company began tracking calibration data digitally, the labels would need a barcode.


GMP Labeling recommended a printing solution using a Zebra printer, our durable L2 label series, and a robust resin ribbon. This solution enabled them to:


  • Print calibration data directly from their database
  • Include barcodes and QR codes for traceability
  • Ensure maximum label durability in harsh environments

With this system, the QC team reduced labeling errors, improved technician efficiency, and integrated seamlessly with their electronic calibration management software.

Zebra ZD421 Thermal Transfer Printer

The Results

  • 34% cost reduction in consumables for their calibration labeling program
  • 40% reduction in time spent creating labels for equipment calibration
  • Improved legibility and traceability, reducing audit prep time
  • Seamless growth from manual to automated systems without switching suppliers

The hierarchy of products from GMP Labeling allowed this customer to evolve their calibration label program alongside their operational growth—without overspending on tools they didn’t yet need.

Why GMP Labeling?

Whether you're a small facility just starting out or a multi-site manufacturer with digital calibration systems, GMP Labeling provides right-sized solutions to support your compliance, quality, and productivity goals.


Our calibration labeling products are:

✔ Designed for regulated industries

✔ Supported by U.S.-based customer service

✔ Built to scale as your needs grow

Ready to scale your calibration program?

Contact us to discuss a solution tailored to your operations.