The development would aid retailers to run competitions with different numbers on each bottle.

The system uses inkjet printing alongside data integrity inspection and is currently being used by a large sleeve and specialist packaging company running at speeds in excess of 200m per minute.

Martin Keats, UK managing director of Lake Image Systems, said: "We are delighted to have cracked this technical challenge with Domino’s help and plenty of testing with the end user. 

"We anticipate the solution being of real benefit to a wide range of retailers, manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies."

Heat-shrunk substrates offer several technical challenges as it is transparent yet light-reflective, which poses reading challenges for cameras.

As a result, Lake Image’s systems include specialist lighting designed to remove specular reflections, the company said.

• In other news, Lake Image has also launched a new website, featuring new products and case studies