Videojet vs Domino: Industrial Printing Vendor Comparison

 

Videojet and Domino are two of the most popular names in the industrial printing space. They have supplied printers to countless manufacturers, and many wonder what advantages and disadvantages each of them brings to the table. It is important to understand the customer experience of the largest vendors in an industry. So, we have analyzed their product offerings, customer reviews, and customer service agreements to give a clear comparative look at Videojet vs Domino.

 

In this comparison, we will cover:
 

• CIJ units from both manufacturers
• TIJ units from both manufacturers
• Print-and-Apply units from both manufacturers
• Cost Effectiveness
• Customer service infrastructure
   

Let’s dive into each and get a better idea of the best vendor for your specific needs.

Videojet vs Domino Product Offerings

As far as product offerings go, Videojet and Domino both offer a wide variety of printing options. Each of these will meet a different user’s needs depending on the product's material or packaging you’re looking to print on. Regarding printing system configuration options, both Videojet and Domino offer a machine that will fit your needs. 
 

Below are the flagship heavy duty cycle systems from each manufacturer, covering each of the most popular printer types.

 

Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) Printers

Continuous inkjet (CIJ) printers are considered the go-to marking option for industrial production lines. Commonly used by beverage bottlers, food packaging companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and a number of industries in between, a well-developed CIJ printer enables line operators to mark thousands of products a day with traceable codes and important variable data. 
 

With the aid of these markings, companies can ensure that their products comply with both distribution standards and government regulations. 
 

Videojet’s premier CIJ offering is the Videojet 1880, which launched in 2020. While the 1880 isn’t breaking any records regarding max printing speed—the 1880’s max speed is a relatively standard 334 m/min—its key feature is its software. Every Videojet 1880 comes with MAXIMiZE™, a self-diagnostic suite that:
 

• Constantly monitors the printer’s health.
• Alerts users when issues are likely to occur.
• Provides on-screen instructions on how to resolve the problem.
• Recommends steps to improve overall performance.
   

These features allow 1880 users to extend uptime and quickly recover from operational problems. The printer’s high ingress protection rating of IP66 also helps to resist many problems commonly caused by workplace environmental issues. 
 

Domino’s flagship CIJ is the Ax550i, and its max print speed of around 420 m/min trounces the Videojet, though this speed can vary depending on the nozzle used. One of its primary benefits is the i-Pulse “service-free” ink system that keeps maintenance at a minimum. The only required maintenance item is an annual replacement of the iTechx module, which takes less than 10 minutes.
 

The i-Pulse’s benefits don’t end with easy maintenance. This printhead tech also provides nozzle-sealing technology that ensures successful start-up on the first try, no matter how long the printer has been down. It also offers premium print resolution, more efficient ink usage, and a variety of printheads to help with packaging and products with difficult shapes.

Thermal Inkjet (TIJ) Printers

While CIJ printers are large production line printers, thermal inkjet (TIJ) printers are much more compact. Generally weighing around five pounds, TIJ printers come in both stationary and handheld models to fit the needs of different businesses. Here, we will take a look at Videojet and Domino’s top stationary models. 

Videojet’s top TIJ printer is the Videojet 8520. Built with an 8.4-inch touchscreen interface, the 8520 offers some impressive coding qualities. Its maximum DPI resolution is 600 x 600, it offers printing speeds up to 109 m/min (at lower DPI levels), and its maximum print height is 2 inches. However, the model does not have significant ingress protection, has a limited ink portfolio, no quick sync features and limited mounting options on the production line.

Domino’s best standalone TIJ printing system is the Gx350i. It offers a readable 10-inch touchscreen display and room for up to four printheads, creating a stitched max print height of just above 2 inches using ½” cartridges. Its maximum print speed is 300 m/min at 60DPI, which slows down to 30 m/min at its maximum resolution of 600DPI. Following the trend of their CIJ printers, the Gx350i is also maintenance-free, with ink cartridge replacements replacing all printer wear parts.

Print-and-Apply Labelers

Print-and-apply labelers are a great option for packaging use cases requiring printed labels. These machines print and apply labels to various packaging materials and provide accurate placement even on uneven surfaces like feed and grain bags. Printed labels have the benefit of high contrast and barcode read rates.
 

Videojet’s best print-and-apply labeler is the Videojet 9550. The unit is designed to replace ink consumable case coders. It offers pretty standard specs with a maximum print speed of 45 m/min at lower resolutions and a maximum DPI resolution of 300x300. Their unique selling point for this printer is their Intelligent Motion technology that allows for automatic control of the whole system to eliminate the need for mechanical adjustment.
 

Domino’s flagship print-and-apply labeler is the M230i-NS100. It offers an identical max DPI resolution to the Videojet at 300x300. The speed is within industry standards, and pneumatically driven. The M230i-NS100 pallet labeler is versatile with many applicators, one of the most popular options includes the swing arm.  The technology applies labels in a single sweeping motion, reportedly decreasing the odds that labels get caught in packaging materials like shrink wrap.

Cost Effectiveness

Both of these manufacturers, being massive firms with longstanding industry authority, compromise a bit regarding value-per-dollar. As a result, their CIJ printers offer only modest spec improvements from printers like the Duracode CIJ for a much higher cost. All three systems offer a core-type service module that can be swapped out in less than 10 minutes. The Duracode does not have a timer linked to the core requiring change due to a timer. The Duracode’s ink catalog allows for direct match to any application.
 

This trend extends to their TIJ units as well, with both of them offering even less of an improvement over Anser TIJ models for almost double the cost. The Anser line of TIJ printers is designed to be the most user-friendly for operators who do not have time for extensive training. The 60-month warranty is unmatched in the industry. 
 

As far as print-and-apply labelers go, the Videojet 9550 is more designed to compete with case coders, not print-and-apply labelers. The offerings hardly go above and beyond in features compared to their CIJ and TIJ models, and their pricing is still not the most competitive when compared to brands like Evolabel. The Evolabel is fully electric (not pneumatic), and lightweight compared to competitor models. 

Service Infrastructure

One of the most important aspects of a vendor relationship is the service agreements they offer to keep the products they sell running smoothly. New products sold by both firms are covered by basic manufacturer warranties out-of-the-box, but clients need and deserve more comprehensive service than a simple replacement promise upon complete product failure.
 

As a result, Videojet and Domino both offer service agreements that extend beyond the manufacturer’s warranty. These are iron-clad binding contracts that can last up to 5 years. These contracts allow you to buy you shorter wait time windows for service calls, and can include discounts on spares.

Domino Safeguard

Domino offers three Safeguard service agreements: Safeguard 100, 200, and 300. Safeguard 100 and 200 are both extended warranty agreements, not service plans. While Safeguard 200 comes with an annual visit from a Domino technician, that is about it when it comes to in-person support from either of these plans. The 300 is a full-service plan, which includes operator training and upgrade assistance.

Videojet Service Agreements

Videojet offers three service agreements, two of which include consultative visits from Videojet techs and repeat operator training. Their Foundation plan lasts 2 years and can only be purchased for new equipment, and their Comprehensive plan lasts 5 years and can be applied to new and existing equipment. For those looking for a cheaper option without as many guaranteed services, they can opt into their third option, which is simply a subscription to their VideojetConnet Remote Service plan, which offers remote assistance for all Videojet products as long as they are connected to Videojet Cloud.

Find the Best Combination of Quality, Value, and Service with Inkjet, Inc.

When doing a Videojet vs Domino comparison, it is easy to see some of the downsides that two companies this size share. Without spending top-dollar on flagship products and then getting upsold on expensive top-tier service plans, it is hard to have confidence that downtime will be minimized when problems arise due to the high call volumes firms like these have to handle.
 

Industrial printing systems work best when the operator has the training, prompt support, and guarantee of high-quality service necessary to inspire their confidence in the product. Selecting the right printer, and working with a smaller expert vendor that prioritizes client advocacy and prompt customer support, are the keys to getting the best possible results from your printing system.
 

You can depend on InkJet, Inc. support. Contact us online or call (800) 280-3245.