Finding the Best Date Coding Printer for Your Needs

A company that produces any kind of perishable good likely has to place a date code somewhere on the product packaging. While date codes are generally not required by law to appear on product packaging (excluding certain products such as infant formula and pharmaceuticals), many retail outlets and distribution networks often require companies to place “use by” dates and expiration dates on their goods to aid traceability, improve inventory accuracy, and inform consumers about product freshness.

Due to these policies, date codes are required to appear on all sorts of products, including:

• Pre-packaged food
• Beverages
• Chemicals
• Personal care products
• Cannabis and CBD
• Pet food
• Pharmaceuticals

All of these products come in diverse packaging and are packaged and processed in very different facilities. To find the best date coding printer for your production line, it’s important to consider factors such as substrate compatibility, application requirements, and the packaging environment.

Substrate Compatibility is Key

Today’s marketplace is filled with packaging choices that vary in size, shape, and material makeup. Packaging options like metal cans, plastic pouches, and glass bottles are not only ideal for different products, but they’re often compatible with different printing technologies as well. 

Some printing technologies are known for their wide substrate compatibility. Continuous inkjet (CIJ) printers, for example, can use a variety of water-based, solvent-based, and pigmented inks to mark everything from metal, plastic, and glass to cardboard, paperboard, and wood. The design of CIJ printheads also makes them well-suited for printing on curved surfaces, such as bottle and can faces. 

Other marking technologies are more limited. Many thermal inkjet (TIJ) printers, for instance, are only compatible with either water-based ink (ideal for porous materials) or solvent-based inks (ideal for non-porous materials). While some TIJ models, such as the Anser U2 Pro-S and Anser X1, are compatible with both porous and non-porous materials, TIJ printers like the Anser U2 Smart can only mark porous substrates. High-resolution case coders like the Precision Series 72mm are also only compatible with porous materials.

Laser systems have similar substrate limitations based on their technology. Fiber laser, CO2 laser, and UV laser systems may operate in similar ways, but their operating principles make them compatible with only certain materials. For example, fiber laser systems excel at marking various metals and some porous materials but destroy others, such as rubber and wood. CO2 systems can mark porous materials, including rubber, wood, cardboard, and textiles but struggle with metal coding. 

View the chart below to see which printing options are generally compatible with which substrates.

Think about Your Application Needs

Examining material compatibility will narrow your list of possible date code printers. From this list, you need to see which option can match your application needs. 

Depending on the context, date codes will vary in height, color, and contrast level. For example, the date codes on beverages are often small, black, and low-contrast, while the date codes on boxes of produce are much larger and of higher quality. If you are planning to print barcodes or QR codes for date information, these codes also require a much greater level of contrast than text codes. 

For high-volume, low-height printing, a CIJ printer will likely be the best option for you. CIJ printers like the DuraCode Touschreen can print at speeds of up to 320 m/min for 24 hours per day. CIJ printers are compatible with many colored inks as well, allowing operators to place white, red, or yellow codes on darker materials. Although CIJ printers can print barcodes and QR codes, they excel at printing basic text codes at industrial speeds. 

Laser systems are another great choice for industrial coding. Like CIJ printers, laser systems offer uninterrupted coding at industrial speeds. However, they beat CIJ models when it comes to print height and code quality. If you need speed, high code quality, and large print sizes, a laser system is likely the choice for you.

For slower-speed applications, TIJ printers and hi-res case coders can both create larger, higher-quality codes than CIJ printers and are available at lower price points than laser systems. 

Build a Line that Accommodates Any Challenging Environmental Factors 

Packaging facilities are often home to some extreme environmental factors, including:

• Disruptive vibrations
• Water presence
• High heat
• Freezing temperatures
• Dust

All of these factors threaten to disrupt the coding process unless accounted for. 

Vibrations are the biggest concern, particularly if you are printing barcodes or any other scannable images. If your facility is prone to vibrations, you will need to mount your printer off of the line itself. Creating an independent stand will prevent shaky printing and improve code consistency. For those who don’t have vibration issues, you can mount the printer directly to the conveyor. 

Beyond vibrations, water is the second largest issue. Most printing solutions are vulnerable to water, and waterproofing is a complex and costly process. Unless you have no other options, we recommend finding line space that is always dry. CIJ printers are particularly good at fitting into tight locations due to their slim printheads. You can also look for a printer with high ingress protection (IP), such as the Anser X1.

Extreme temperatures can also pose an issue, with high heat being more disruptive than freezing lows. Almost all printing solutions will struggle in temperatures consistently above 100°F. In these cases, fan systems and air conditioning units are necessary to bring the heat down to an operational level. If you are dealing with freezing temperatures, you can simply insulate your printer to prevent problems. 

Dust can also prove troublesome and is battled through positive air systems that attempt to use air pressure to prevent dust and debris from entering the printer/printhead. Purchasing a printer with a high IP rating can help ensure consistent code quality. 

Find the Best Date Coding Printer for Your Operation with the Help of InkJet, Inc. 

Whether you are packaging food, pharmaceuticals, or cosmetics, if your products can expire, you need to have a high-functioning date code printer on your line. 

With the help of InkJet, Inc., you can find a printing solution that is:

1. Compatible with your packaging materials.
2. Fast enough to meet your output requirements.
3. Capable of resisting any adverse environmental factors in your facility.
4. Able to fit well on your existing line setup.

From high-speed CIJ models to DPI-rich TIJ and laser systems, InkJet, Inc. carries a wide range of date coding printers to meet the unique needs of different operations. Call us today to learn which option will work best for your operation. 

For more information about date coding printers, contact InkJet, Inc. online or call 1(800) 280-3245.