What are those rows of colored little circles that you see on packages? What are they for?

Question

They are usually located somewhere near the barcode. I was thinking it was for some other kind of scanner. Who knows for sure?
If you don't know what I'm talking about, go look at a container in your fridge you pantry :)

Additional Details

Thank you so much Stardust! And you other girls should mark my ?? *Interesting* :)

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

They show how many different ink colors were used to create the text and images on the package. :) I always wondered that too! It is also to keep the markings in line during printing.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

thanks again for the great answer! wish i could've chosen two, but since you were first, i give it to you!

Answer 2

Wow I never knew that. I always wanted to know.

Answer 3

I am so glad to know that! I was just wondering the same thing today while eating my YoPlus yogurt, I wondered if it was just a Yoplait thing, but I guess not. Cool Beans!

Answer 4

Yes, they are there for printing purposes. They are commonly known as registration marks. When printing a package of any kind they usually use some sort of press that will only print one color at a time, not like a computer printer that you press print and it comes out done. Those lines help the machine operator line up the colors correctly so the package, when in the hands of the consumer, looks as close to, if not, perfect.

Source(s):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Printing_registration