Wood Marking Systems & Pallet Labeling | InkJet Inc.

For thousands of years, people have used wood to construct houses, create furniture, transport goods, and more. Still today, wood is one of the most commonly utilized materials in construction and consumer good production. In fact, according to a recent study, US lumber producers created around over 45 million feet of wood in 2019 alone. 

When using wood to create products, direct product marking is often a necessity. Regardless of whether you’re using wood to create couches, flooring, or pallets, industrial printers play a key role in both preparing the material for assembly and enabling supply chain traceability. At InkJet, Inc, we help companies complete these essential tasks by developing reliable wood marking systems. Here’s how our printing solutions can benefit your business.

Prepare Wood for Any Application, Even in Difficult Environments

Barcodes, batch numbers, assembly instructions, moisture levels—these are just some of the markings that are frequently applied to wooden materials. With these codes, workers can understand what to do with the material and trace products back to their sources if need be. Although direct wood markings are common, they are not always easy to apply.

Wood materials are often produced in challenging work environments. Facilities can be filled with dust and have extreme temperatures. These elements can cause hardware complications and affect the legibility of printed codes. Companies can experience both profit-draining downtimes as well as supply chain issues as a result. 

Fortunately, well-made wood marking systems can operate successfully even in difficult conditions by offering:

  • Wide operating temperature ranges

  • IP-graded dust protection

  • Insulated printheads

With these properties and more, InkJet, Inc’s printing solutions can resist the challenges of wood production to produce highly legible codes.

Find a Printer That Fits Your Unique Needs

No two companies are exactly alike and neither are their printing needs. Some operations rely on fast-moving production lines that need uninterrupted printing capabilities. Alternatively, many companies require highly mobile printing devices that can be moved with ease. Others may need printers that are capable of making large graphics and high DPI barcodes.

To accommodate these different requirements, InkJet, Inc. offers a range of continuous inkjet printers, thermal inkjet printers, and high-resolution case coders. All of these machines have specialties, and each one can be placed in a wood marking system. 

Continuous inkjet printers like the DuraCode Keyboard and DuraCode Touchscreen are ideal for quick-moving production lines, as they offer:
 

  • High-speed printing up to 1050 ft/min / 320 m/min.

  • Uninterrupted operation that enables 24/7 printing.

  • IP55 industrial structure stainless steel construction that protects against water and dust particles.

Thermal inkjet printers, like the Anser Pro-S and newly released Anser X1, are more compact than continuous inkjet printers, providing a highly mobile option for marking wood. Thermal inkjet printers offer:

  • Light size, as thermal inkjet printers only weigh around 5 pounds.

  • High-resolution codes with a DPI of 600 x 300 (600 x 600 with the Anser X1).

  • Zero maintenance operation that allows the printer to operate successfully for years without issue.

High-resolution case coders, like the Precision 72mm, are designed to create large graphics on porous substrates, making them a great choice for wood applications. High-resolution case coders offer:

  • Graphic image capability in addition to standard codes and texts.

  • Automatic date & time coding to simplify marking.

  • External label management and design software for complete system communication.

 

Utilize the Right Ink for Your Needs

Regardless of whether your wood marking system uses a continuous inkjet, thermal inkjet, or case coding printer, the solution won’t work unless you use the right ink for the job. Wood is a porous substrate that requires ink which can soak into the material without distorting the image. In the case of a darkened wood, pigmented inks may also be required to make codes more visible. If the wood is varnished, this too can require specialized ink. 

Here at InkJet, Inc, we have been formulating ink for more than three decades. We understand which formulas work best for certain substrates, including wood in its various forms. If you need help searching for the ink that will best fulfill your needs, call us today for a consultation. If our vast ink portfolio does not contain a formula that meets each of your concerns, we also offer custom ink services through which we can develop an ink specifically for you. Possible property options include:

  • Fast drying times

  • Various pigment options

  • Chemical resistance

  • Moisture protection               

Need a Wood Marking System in Your Operation? InkJet, Inc. Can Help

For over thirty years, InkJet, Inc. has been developing ink formulas and creating industrial solutions. From this deep knowledge base, we create custom systems that fit the needs of different operations. We understand what it takes to make a great wood marking system and how to tailor it to fit certain criteria. 

For more information on wood marking systems, contact InkJet, Inc. online or by phone at 1(800) 280-3245.

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