Rigid Plastic Industrial Inkjet Printing and Coding

Rigid plastic must be marked with various codes to comply with federal and state regulations and aid in distribution. Required codes frequently include:

Serial numbers
Traceable lot codes/batch numbers
Production date codes
Packaging facility information
QR codes/barcodes
Anti-counterfeiting codes
Regulatory symbols
Sell-by/best-before dates

For a plastic that puts up with so much use and abuse, you need a printing and coding solution that’s equally resilient. That's where InkJet, Inc. technologies come in with the perfect solution for rigid plastic printing. Our printers are as reliable as they are robust, and our nontransferable inks won't melt or smudge, even under the harshest printing and use conditions.

Marking Solutions for Rigid Plastic Printing

Rigid plastic comes in many shapes, sizes, and substrates. Your specific printing needs may differ for a lightweight PET plastic versus a heavy-duty HDPE plastic—and the surface area you plan to cover also makes a difference.

This table lists our recommended rigid plastic printing systems and their general specifications. Additional information for each option can be found further below. Click the linked title in the table’s leftmost column to jump to a specific solution.

InkJet, Inc’s Rigid Plastic Printing Systems
Coding Technology	Operating Method	System Options	Maximum Resolution and Print Height	Maximum Marking Speed	Cost Factors
Continuous Inkjet Printer	Propels pressurized ink droplets toward the substrate	DuraCode Touchscreen, Keyboard, and Pigment	70 DPI at 15 mm height	320 m/min.	Low to moderate unit cost, low consumable cost
Thermal Inkjet Printer	Uses heat to pressurize and eject ink droplets toward the substrate	Anser U2 Models	400 x 300 DPI (height varies by model)	76.2 m/min	Low unit cost, moderately consumable cost
		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
		Anser X1	600 x 600 DPI at 1” height (2” height with stitched print heights)	300 m/min	Moderate unit cost, moderate consumable cost
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
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

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. The speed, wide ink compatibility, and versatile printheads of CIJ printers enable users to mark thousands of products daily with long-lasting, highly legible codes.

InkJet, Inc. meets diverse coding needs by maintaining a comprehensive CIJ ink catalog with dozens of formulas designed for rigid plastic coding. Over 30 years of producing ink has given InkJet, Inc. an endless catalog of inks developed with specialty formulas to meet a broad range of printing needs, including:

Superior substrate adhesion
Heat resistance
Alcohol resistance
Rub resistance
Ultra-quick dry times
Anti-transfer properties
Extreme temperature resistance
Soft and hard pigmentation
Oil/grease penetration
Condensation penetration

With so many options to choose from, Inkjet, Inc. can provide you with the ideal printer & ink combo for your facility’s unique rigid plastic coding applications.

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 U2, X1, and A1 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 around $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.

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 rigid-plastic-compatible TIJ printers with varying specialties and price points. Our current options include:

	The Anser U2 Smart and SmartOne Thermal Inkjet Printer: Compact and cost-effective, the Anser U2 Pro-S is an excellent choice for rigid plastic printing in applications that do not require CIJ-level marking speeds. The Anser U2 Pro-S offers a 76.2 m/min max printing speed, 400 x 300 DPI max resolution, 0.5” max print height, intuitive operation, and easy installation.
	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 2 cartridge slots, the A1 can create 2” tall markings with varying DPI elements (e.g., 300 DPI QR code with 150 DPI text). 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 Pro-S	Anser A1	Anser X1
Max Printheads	1	2	2
Display	3.5” Color LCD with LED backlight	5” Color LCD Capacitive Touchscreen 480 x 800 (portrait)	7” 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
Print Height	0.5”	1” with single printhead, 2” with stitched printheads	1” with single printhead, 2” with stitched printheads
Print Resolution	400 x 300 DPI	300 DPI	600 x 600 DPI
Print Speed	76.2 m/min	121 m/min	300 m/min
Print Distance	0.25” (6mm)	0.25” (6mm)	0.25” (6mm)
Operating Temp.	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	IP66
Dimensions and Weight	(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)

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 rigid packaging. InkJet, Inc.’s Precision Series 18mm and Precision Series 72mm are ideal for secondary and tertiary packaging tasks.

High-resolution case coders use robust 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 offers numerous benefits over manual labeling, including:

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

In addition to these factors, Precision Series case coders further benefit users with these unique features:

Internal Barcode Generation. Precision Series case coders can operate as completely independent, standalone machines. Equipped with label design software and internal memory, Precision Series case coders allow users to create and store designs without an external computer.
Seamless System Integration: Precision Series case coders are compatible with NiceLabel and Windows systems, allowing for easy integration with external networks.
Dual-Head Functionality: Precision Series printers can be equipped with two printheads, allowing operators to print on two box sides simultaneously, whether for repeat images or independent codes. Users can also stack heads to increase image sizes.

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 label plastic bottles efficiently.

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

By investing in an Evolabel system, you can simplify your package labeling process, reduce the risk of error, and maximize packaging efficiency.

Ink Options for Industrial Coding on Rigid Plastic

After more than three decades of producing high-quality inks, InkJet, Inc.’s comprehensive catalog contains numerous formulas to better meet the needs of diverse companies.

In addition to a wide assortment of inks with special properties, we also carry aftermarket formulas for today’s most popular printer systems. Our aftermarket options are more affordable than their original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) counterparts but perform just as well, if not better.

Food-Grade Inks

For packaging that may come into contact with food, our food-grade inks are manufactured in accordance with the U.S. FDA Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to ensure the health and safety of your consumers. In fact, this type of ink is so safe that it can be used to print directly on food, too.

Industrial CIJ Ink

Our industrial CIJ ink is suitable for a wide range of printing needs and is compatible with OEM printers, other makers’ printers, and our own industrial InkJet, Inc. printers. We offer low-VOC options that are able to resist environmental challenges such as moisture, abrasion, and chemical exposure. Our UV/invisible inks provide a simple and easy answer to counterfeiting challenges, including those often encountered by beauty product manufacturers.

Custom Ink Solutions

We are also able to create a custom ink for your application, should you require a more specialized solution for the specific plastic printing and coding challenges your business faces.

Optimizing Your Rigid Plastic Printing and Coding System

When you need to optimize your tracking and traceability capabilities to comply with regulatory requirements or improve operational efficiency, it’s important to pair the best industrial inkjet printer with the best ink for rigid plastic printing. From sole proprietors to massive manufacturing operations, there’s a perfect solution out there for everyone - and our experts here at InkJet, Inc. are happy to help you find yours. We also offer testing and validation services to ensure maximum success for every project.

InkJet, Inc. has been a leading provider of high-quality printers and inks for years, with CIJ options for high-volume production lines as well as TIJ and other more economical options for lower-volume manufacturers. Call us at 1-(800) 280-3245 or contact us online today to find your ideal options for rigid plastic printing.

Back to Blog Articles