Beverage Coding and Marking

Proper product marking is an absolute necessity across the beverage industry. Whether you're a billion-dollar brewery or a local kombucha outfit, you must mark your goods with required codes and markings to satisfy legal requirements and distribution chain policies.

For over 30 years, InkJet, Inc. has helped beverage companies of all sizes and specialties achieve code compliance. With our diverse marking hardware and vast ink portfolio, we can provide you with a custom-designed product-marking solution tailored to your needs.

Here's how our solutions can help you comply with strict regulations, foster supply chain traceability, streamline quality assurance processes, and prevent distribution complications.

InkJet, Inc’s Beverage Coding and Marking Solutions Help You Comply with Strict Regulations

Beverage product markings enable full supply chain traceability, aid quality assurance processes, and prevent customers from consuming expired goods. If products codes are illegible, improperly applied, or absent altogether, you may experience the following:

Product recalls
Fines
Distribution agreement termination (in extreme cases)

These issues are serious, but you can easily avoid them with the right marking solution.

InkJet, Inc. carries diverse printing hardware, laser solutions, and other marking technology to help beverage companies of all sizes comply with strict guidelines. By working closely with our sales team, you will be able to find a marking system that can:

Apply lot codes, expiration dates, and other required codes on all of your products
Fit well into your existing line setup
Resist harsh environmental factors

Beverage Coding and Marking Solutions for Companies of All Sizes and Specialties

Beverage packaging has no “one size fits all” marking solution. Every company has unique output requirements, facility concerns, and line considerations influencing solution viability.

When searching for a beverage packaging coding solution, you must consider multiple factors, including the following:

Production quotas
Facility humidity and temperature levels
Packaging material
Substrate shape
Line configuration
Upfront and ongoing cost factors

This table displays the general specs of our different beverage packaging technologies. Additional information for each option can be located further below. Click the title in the table’s leftmost column to jump to a specific solution.

InkJet, Inc’s Beverage Coding and Marking Options
Coding Technology	Operating Method	System Options	Maximum Resolution and Print Height	Maximum Marking Speed	Cost Factors	Compatible Materials
Continuous Inkjet Printer	Propels pressurized ink droplets towards the substrate	DuraCode Touchscreen, Keyboard, & Pigment	70 DPI at 15 mm height	320 m/min.	Low to moderate unit cost, low consumable cost	Cardboard, paper, wood, metal, plastic, rubber, flexible packaging
Thermal Inkjet Printer	Uses heat to pressurize and eject ink droplets towards the substrate	Anser U2 Models	400 x 300 DPI (height varies by model)	76.2 m/min	Low unit cost, moderately consumable cost	Varies by model
		Anser A1	600 x 600 DPI at 1” height (2” height with stitched print heights)	300 m/min with HP cartridges, 150 m/min with IUT cartridges	Moderate unit cost, moderate consumable cost	Cardboard, paper, wood, metal, plastic, rubber, flexible packaging
		Anser X1	600 x 600 DPI at 1” height (2” height with stitched print heights)	300 m/min	Moderate unit cost, moderate consumable cost	Cardboard, paper, wood, metal, plastic, rubber, flexible packaging
Laser Marking Solution	Creates a concentrated light beam to mark or engrave the substrate	F8100F Fiber, F8100C CO2, LDR 7100, & F8100U UV Laser Marking Systems	Lenses up to 300mm x 300mm	2,000 characters per second	High unit cost, little to no consumables	Varies by model
Hi-Res Case Coder	Propels oil-based ink droplets to create stark codes	Precision Series 18mm & 72mm	180 DPI at 18mm height or 72mm height	Low to moderate speed	Moderate unit cost, low consumable cost	Cardboard, paper, wood, and other porous materials
Print-and-Apply Label Machine	Auto-prints and applies labels to passing materials	Evolabel	300 DPI (height varies by printer model)	60 m/min	High unit cost, moderate consumable cost	Aluminum cans, plastic bottles, cardboard cartons, plastic bags

Continuous Inkjet Printers: DuraCode Touchscreen, Keyboard, and Pigment

Continuous inkjet (CIJ) printers are non-contact production line printing systems designed to mark substrates moving at 300 m/min and above. CIJ printers operate up to 24 hours daily without downtime because they’re built with powerful ink circulation systems. Further, they are compatible with diverse formulas and utilize versatile printheads, which equip users to mark most beverage packaging materials, including:

InkJet, Inc. carries three CIJ systems:

All DuraCode systems can mark porous and non-porous substrates at speeds up to 320 m/min. Equipped with an IP55 outer structure and able to operate in temperatures ranging from 41-113° F, the DuraCode CIJ can withstand potentially hazardous environmental elements to deliver consistently excellent results.

The DuraCode Keyboard and Touchscreen offer the same specifications and compatibility with ink formulas. The only difference between them is their input medium. The DuraCode Pigment has identical specifications as the DuraCode Keyboard and Touchscreen but uses pigmented ink instead of dye ink.

See the chart below for a closer look at the DuraCode models’ most important specifications.

Specification	DuraCode Touchscreen, Keyboard, & Pigment CIJ Printers
Nozzle	40, 50, 60, 70 μm
Print Height	1.2-15 mm
Maximum Print Speed	Up to 1,050 ft./min (320 m/min)
Print Distance	1-3 in. (25.4-76.2 mm)
Input System	Touchscreen or Standard Keyboard / WYSIWYG
Print Font	5x5, 7x5, 9x6, 11x8, 16x11, 24x17, 32x22
Operating Environment	Temperature: 5-45° C (41-113°F) Humidity: 0%-90%, no condensing
User Defined Field	Bar Code, QR Code, Logos, Clock, Counter, Classes, etc.
IP Rating	IP55 Industrial Protection
Gross Weight with Complete Package	45 kg / 99 lbs
Standard Features	Font library - Multi-language support - Traverse printing - 90-degree vertical printing - Special counter Counter replacement - Clock replacement - Encoder port - USB port - Ink recovery pump - Solvent flush pump - Micro print
Optional Add-Ons	Serial port - Network LAN connection - Positive air pump

Thermal Inkjet Printers: Anser X1, A1, and U2 Models

Thermal inkjet (TIJ) printers are smaller, lighter, and more cost-effective than CIJ systems. While CIJ systems typically weigh around 100 lbs and can cost well over $10,000, most TIJ models weigh 5-10 lbs and cost as low as $1,499.00.

Although thermal inkjet systems are compact and lightweight, they offer impressive coding specifications. For example, the Anser U2 Smart can create 400 x 300 DPI codes up to 0.5” tall (1” tall with the Anser U2 SmartOne). Higher-end TIJs like the Anser X1 can create 600 x 600 DPI codes up to 2” tall with stitched printheads. These qualities enable TIJ operators to complete product marking tasks and case coding applications.

TIJ printers are often designed for slower speed lines and intermittent coding tasks, but some TIJ models also offer high-speed capabilities. InkJet, Inc. carries numerous TIJ printers of varying specialties and price points. Our current options include:

	The Anser U2 Smart and SmartOne Thermal Inkjet Printer: The Anser U2 Smart is InkJet, Inc’s most affordable printer option. Available for $1,499.00, the Anser U2 Smart is compatible with porous and semi-porous packaging, such as cardboard boxes and paperboard containers. The system’s max speed is 76.2 m/min, and the max resolution is 400 x 300 DPI. The stock U2 Smart has a max 0.5” print height, while the Anser U2 SmartOne has a max 1” print height.
	The Anser U2 Pro-S Thermal Inkjet Printer: Compact and cost-effective, the Anser U2 Pro-S is a great choice for beverage operations that don’t require CIJ-level marking speeds. Like the Anser U2 Smart and SmartOne, the Anser U2 Pro-S has 76.2 m/min max speed and 400 x 300 DPI max resolution. However, the Anser U2 Pro-S is compatible with more materials, as the printer can mark porous, semi-porous, and non-porous substrates. These features make the Anser U2 Pro-S compatible with most cans, bottles, and other containers.
	The Anser A1 Thermal Inkjet Printer: The first all-in-one TIJ that offers 2” printing and mid-message DPI adjustments, the Anser A1 is both powerful and affordable. Built with two cartridge slots, the A1 can create 2” tall markings with varying DPI elements (e.g., 300 DPI QR code with 150 DPI text). These qualities make the A1 an excellent case-coding printer. The A1 maxes out at 300 m/min for product marking applications with certain cartridges. Users control the A1 through a large touchscreen interface.
	The Anser X1 Thermal Inkjet Printer: Even though the Anser X1 is a thermal inkjet printer, you wouldn’t know that from its spec sheet. With printing speeds up to 300 m/min, the Anser X1 is one of the most powerful TIJs on the market today. Beyond industrial speed marking, the Anser X1 offers a 600 DPI max resolution, a 3.87” max print height (with stitched printheads), IP66 protection, and the ability to control two production lines simultaneously.

See the chart below for a closer look into how our TIJ options compare to one another:

InkJet, Inc’s Thermal Inkjet Printer Options
Specification	Anser U2 Smart and SmartOne	Anser U2 Pro-S	Anser A1	Anser X1
Max Printheads	1	1	2	2
Display	3.5” Color LCD with LED backlight	3.5” Color LCD with LED backlight	5” Color LCD Capacitive Touchscreen 480x800 (portrait)	7-inch Color LCD Capacitive Touchscreen (800 x 480 px)
Input Device	Pocket-sized IR remote keypad	Pocket-sized IR remote keypad	Pocket-sized IR remote keypad	Pocket-sized IR remote keypad
Print Height	0.5” with Smart 1” with SmartOne	0.5”	1” with single printhead, 2” with stitched printheads	1” with single printhead, 2” with stitched printheads
Print Resolution	400 x 300 DPI	400 x 300 DPI	300 DPI	600 x 600 DPI
Print Speed	76.2 m/min	76.2 m/min	121 m/min	300 m/min
Print Distance	0.25” (6mm)	0.25” (6mm)	0.25” (6mm)	0.25” (6mm)
Operating Temp.	0°C ~ 40°C (32°F ~ 104°F)	0°C ~ 40°C (32°F ~ 104°F)	5°C – 40°C (41°F – 104°F)	5°C – 40°C (41°F – 104°F)
IP Rating	N/A	N/A	N/A	IP66
Dimensions and Weight	(L/W/H) 4.5″ x 3″ x 2.5″ 0.49kg (1.08 lb) – excluding cartridge and bracket	(L/W/H) 4.5” x 3” x 2.4” 0.49kg (1.08 lb) – excluding cartridge and bracket	(L/W/H) 6.7” x 5.4” x 4.9” 1.8kg (3.97lb) w/o guide plate	(L/W/H) 11.5” x 5.6” x 2” 2.7kg (6lb)
Compatible Materials	Porous and semi-porous materials	Porous, semi-porous, and non-porous materials	Porous, semi-porous, and non-porous materials	Porous, semi-porous, and non-porous materials

Laser Marking Solutions: Fiber, CO2, and UV Laser Models

Laser marking systems are perfect for beverage packaging companies that require high coding speeds, reliable accuracy, and exceptional code appearance. For example, large-scale bottling operations frequently use laser systems to meet demanding quotas, minimize coding errors, and enhance their products’ visual appeal. As laser marking systems have become more affordable, they have also become increasingly popular with smaller-scale companies as well.

Laser systems are more expensive than TIJ and CIJ printers upfront but do not use consumables. Moreover, they have minimal maintenance needs and do not require annual servicing. Depending on your product output, these factors make laser marking more cost-effective than inkjet printing.

Inkjet Inc. offers four laser models:

Our laser systems offer similar specifications and benefits. The F8100F, F8100C, LDR7100, and F8100U provide:

Marking speeds up to 2000 characters/sec.
24/7 uninterrupted coding
Reliable ingress protections
Long laser tube life
Enhanced high-resolution mark quality
Plug-and-play laser module for easy line replacement
User-friendly control panel via computer or smartphone app

Material compatibility is the main difference between our laser options. Fiber, CO2, and UV lasers produce beams of different wavelengths. Beam wavelength significantly influences material compatibility, so it’s essential to understand which laser technology best suits your substrates as you consider various options.

This chart illustrates the material compatibility of fiber, CO2, and UV laser systems:

Laser Marking Material Compatibility
Material Category	Specific Material	Fiber Laser	CO2 Laser	UV Laser
Wood, Paper, and Board	Wood	✔	✔	✖
	Thermal Label	✔	✔	✖
	Paper	✔	✔	✖
	Board	✔	✔	✖
	Metallized Board	✔	✔	✖
Glass	Glass	✖	✔	✔
Glass	Glass Fiber	✔	✔	✔
Ceramic	Ceramic	✔	✔	✔
Plastics	Polypropylene (PP)	✔	✔	✔
	Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)	✔	✔	✔
	High-density polyethylene (HDPE)	✔	✔	✔
	ABS	✔	✖	✔
	Polyacetal (POM: polyoxymethylene)	✔	✔	✔
	Polyamide (PA)	✔	✔	✔
	Polycarbonate (PC)	✔	✖	✔
	Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)	✖	✔	✔
Metals	Steel	✔	✔	✔
	Galvanized Steel	✔	✔	✔
	Aluminum	✔	✔	✔
	Titanium	✔	✔	✔
	Copper	✔	✖	✔
	Brass	✔	✖	✔
✔ = Full compatibility ✔ = Limited compatibility ✖ = No compatibility

See the chart below for a closer look into our laser systems’ most important specifications.

Specification	F8100F, F8100C, LDR7100, & F8100U Laser Systems
Marking Speed	Up to 2,000 characters/second
Line Speed	Up to 200 m/min
Wave Lengths	Fiber: 1,055 - 1,070nm CO2: 10.6um, 10.2um, and 9.3um LDR: 10.6um, 10.3um, and 9.3um UV: 355nm
Marking Formats	Standard industrial fonts (Windows TrueType®) and single line font Machine-readable codes (OCR, 2D matrix, etc.) Bar codes: code 128a, code 128B, code 128c, code39, code93, QR Code, Data Matrix, Aztec-Code, Han Xin-Cod Graphics, logos, symbols, etc. Linear, circular, angular, reverse, rotate sequential, and batch numbering Automatic date, layer and time code, real-time clock
Laser Tube	Fiber: Ytterbium (YT) pulsed fiber laser CO2: Sealed CO2 laser LDR: Sealed CO2 laser UV: Solid-state UV laser
Beam Deflection	Steers beam with digital high-speed galvanometer scanners
User Interface	Personalized touch control screen with an easy-to-learn interface
Communication	UDP, TCP/IP, and RS232 Inputs for encoder and product detector triggers 4 inputs/4 outputs for start/stop signals, machine/operator interlocks, and alarm outputs (in addition to safety circuits) Customer-specific solutions are available
Integration	Flexible beam delivery options (beam extension unit/beam turning unit)
Cooling System	Air-cooled
Operating Environment	Temperature: 5-40° C (41-104°F) Humidity: 0%-90%, no condensing Inputs for encoder and product detector triggers
IP Rating	Cabinet: IP54 standard
Weight	Approx. 40 kg

High-Resolution Case Coders: Precision Series 18mm & 72mm

High-resolution case coders (hi-res) excel at placing high-quality images and codes on porous substrates.

Slower than CIJ, TIJ, and laser marking systems, hi-res systems like InkJet, Inc’s Precision Series 18mm and Precision Series 72mm are ideal for secondary packaging tasks. High-resolution case coders use powerful piezoelectric printheads to create large messages, intricate graphics, and stark images. Hi-res ink is oil-based and thicker than CIJ or TIJ ink, making hi-res codes more durable and visually appealing.

As case coding solutions, Precision Series systems enable users to replace physical shipping labels with printed codes, text, and images. Direct printing holds numerous benefits over manual labeling, including:

Faster coding times
Fewer material costs
Lower risk of coding errors
Better code durability
Improved print quality

By streamlining the case coding process and minimizing errors, Precision Series printers can enhance your secondary and tertiary packaging processes.

See the chart below for a closer look into the Precision Series’ most important specifications:

Specification	Precision Series 18mm & 72mm Hi-Res Case Coder
Dimensions and Weight (Including Bracket)	(L/W/H) 322 x 183 x 480 mm / 12.7” x 7.2” x 18.9 3.35 kg / 7.38l bs
Line Speed	Up to 200/min
Print Area	53.7mm x 500mm per print head
Print Speed	0 - 60 m/min
Print Head	180 DPI
Operating Environment	Temperature: 5-38° C / (41-100.4°F) Humidity: 10% – 90% (non-condensing)
Internal Memory	42 MB for fonts, images, and labels. The number of labels depends on the size.
Barcode Options	EAN8, EAN13, CODE 39, CODE128, ITF, and QR with adjustable height and module width. Multiple barcodes are possible in one label.
Automatic Shift Codes	Up to 25 shift codes, definable over a maximum of 7 days. Multiple shift codes are possible in one label.

Print-and-Apply Label Machine: Evolabel Systems

Print-and-apply labeling machines (PALM) streamline the labeling process by continuously creating and applying labels to passing products or shipping cartons. Predominantly used to label shipping cartons, PALM systems can complete primary, secondary, and tertiary applications with the right equipment.

Users can customize their print-and-apply labelers to complete specific tasks. PALM systems are made of multiple components, with two of the most important being:

The printer module, which prints labels on-demand
The label applicator, which dispenses and applies each label to a product, carton, or pallet

By selecting the ideal printer/applicator combo, you can use a PALM system to efficiently label the most popular beverage packaging substrates, including:

The Evolabel Print-and-Apply Labeler is InkJet, Inc’s PALM option. Evolabel systems are compatible with three different printer modules:

We offer numerous applicators to fulfill diverse packaging requirements. Available applicators include

Investing in an Evolabel system simplifies your package labeling process, reduces the risk of error, and maximizes packaging efficiency.

Inks for Every Major Beverage Packaging Material

Marking hardware is just one piece of the beverage coding puzzle. If you’re using a printer to mark your bottles or cans, it’s essential to have an ink formula that is both compatible with your packaging materials and able to withstand factors like:

Facility conditions
Product processing
Distribution and storage conditions

Fortunately, finding the perfect formula isn’t hard when you can access InkJet, Inc.’s diverse ink catalog. We have been developing inks in-house for over 30 years, and today, we have formulas available for the most popular beverage packaging materials, including:

Beyond standard formulas, we also offer a variety of specialty inks ideal for traditionally challenged beverage packaging processes. Some of our most popular specialty inks provide the following properties:

Heat-resistance
Alcohol-resistance
Moisture-resistance
Ultra-fast drying times
High contrast opacity

Need a New Beverage Coding and Marking Solution? Call InkJet, Inc. Today

For over 30 years, the InkJet, Inc. team has helped companies across the beverage packaging industry comply with strict marking standards. In that time, we’ve learned what it takes to consistently make application-specific coding solutions that deliver quality results. Contact us today for more info about our printer, laser, and PALM options.

To learn more about beverage coding and marking, contact us online today or call 1(800) 280-3245.

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