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Automatic coding and marking technologies in the packaging industry are the key to achieving efficient, accurate and traceable packaging management. The following are several common automatic coding and marking methods:
1. Continuous Inkjet (CIJ)
Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) technology is a non-contact printing method that ejects a continuous stream of ink droplets onto substrates. Utilizing a vibrating piezoelectric crystal, CIJ printers produce high-speed, high-resolution prints on various materials, making them ideal for industrial applications requiring rapid and reliable coding and marking.
Applications:
Food & Beverage Packaging:
- Printing expiration dates, batch codes, and barcodes on plastic bottles, aluminum cans, glass jars, and flexible pouches.
- Works well on high-speed bottling lines where printing must occur on moving products.
Pharmaceutical & Medical Packaging:
- Printing lot numbers and expiry dates on blister packs, vials, ampoules, and medical-grade plastics.
- Can print on small or curved surfaces without direct contact.
Cosmetic & Personal Care Products:
- Marking serial numbers and barcodes on tubes, bottles, and plastic caps.
- Works well with glossy and non-porous surfaces.
Industrial & Chemical Packaging:
- Marking batch codes on flexible films, metal drums, and chemical containers.
- Resistant to moisture and exposure to harsh environments.
Electronics & Automotive:
- Printing part numbers, barcodes, and tracking codes on PCBs, cables, and wires.
- Used in automotive component manufacturing for durable, high-speed marking.
Why Choose CIJ?
- Works on almost any material (metal, plastic, glass, wood, cable, etc.).
- High-speed production capability.
- Can print at various angles, even upside down.
- Can print on uneven surfaces.
2. Thermal Inkjet (TIJ)
Thermal Inkjet printing is a non-contact printing technology that uses heat to eject ink droplets onto a surface. TIJ printers are best for high-resolution prints in small-scale and medium-scale production. It is suitable for small and medium businesses due to its benefits of easy maintenance and start-up cost-effective.
Applications:
Pharmaceutical & Medical Packaging:
- Printing 2D DataMatrix codes, batch numbers, and expiration dates on pharmaceutical cartons and labels.
- Ensures compliance with regulations like FDA’s Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA).
Food & Beverage Packaging:
- High-quality date codes, barcodes, and branding on cartons, labels, and flexible pouches.
- Often used for short-run and specialty packaging.
Cosmetics & Personal Care Products:
- High-resolution printing on folded cartons and labels.
- Used for luxury packaging that requires crisp, clear branding and regulatory information.
E-commerce & Logistics:
- Printing barcodes and shipping labels on corrugated boxes.
- Works well for serialization and product authentication.
Why Choose TIJ?
- High print resolution (600 DPI and 1200 DPI available).
- No solvents or high-maintenance requirements.
- Ideal for carton and label printing.
- Multiple color ink choice.
Learn more about laser marking and its applications in this post: A Guide to Thermal Inkjet (TIJ) Printers
3. Laser Marking Technology
Laser coding technology is a non-contact marking method that uses a high-energy laser beam to permanently mark the surface of an object. Laser marking machines are used for permanent, tamper-proof marking, especially for high-speed lines.
Applications:
Food & Beverage Packaging:
- Marking expiration dates, QR codes, and batch numbers on glass bottles, plastic films, and aluminum cans.
- Ideal for high-speed production environments, e.g., soda and beer industries.
Pharmaceutical & Medical Packaging:
- Engraving lot numbers and anti-counterfeiting codes on medical devices, blister packs, and vials.
- Ensures permanent, tamper-proof identification.
Luxury Goods & Cosmetics:
- Engraving serial numbers or high-quality branding on glass perfume bottles, metal containers, and premium packaging.
- Ensures authenticity and prevents counterfeiting.
Electronics & Automotive Components:
- Direct part marking (DPM) for traceability on circuit boards, metal parts, and plastic casings.
- Laser coding is used in compliance with industry regulations (e.g., UID for aerospace parts).
Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Packaging:
- Marking directly onto cardboard, paper, and biodegradable materials without the need for inks or labels.
- Ideal for companies looking to reduce environmental impact.
Why Choose Laser Coding?
- Permanent marking, non-fading marks.
- No consumable inks or solvents needed, sustainable and cost-effective in the long run.
- Excellent for anti-counterfeiting and traceability.
Learn more about laser marking and its applications in this post: Understanding Laser Marking and its Applications
4. Thermal Transfer Coding (TTO)
Principle: transfer the ink on the ribbon to the packaging surface by heating.
Application: Suitable for flexible packaging (such as plastic bags, films).
Advantages: high resolution, suitable for flexible materials.
Disadvantages: high ribbon cost.
1. Automatic Labeling Machine
Principle: automatically stick pre-printed labels to the packaging.
Application: suitable for bottled products, cartons, etc.
Advantages: high flexibility, support for multiple label types.
Disadvantages: pre-printed labels are required.
2. Online Print & Apply
Principle: print labels in real time and automatically stick them to the packaging.
Application: suitable for logistics packaging and pallet labels.
Advantages: support dynamic information (such as batch number, date).
Disadvantages: high equipment cost.
Principle: Read and write information in the tag through radio waves.
Application: Logistics tracking, inventory management, anti-counterfeiting traceability.
Advantages: No line of sight is required, batch reading is possible, and long-distance identification is supported.
Disadvantages: High label cost, metal and liquid environments may interfere with the signal.
1. One-dimensional barcode
Type: Code 128, EAN-13, ITF-14, etc.
Application: retail goods, logistics packaging.
Advantages: low cost, mature technology.
Disadvantages: limited information capacity.
2. QR code
Type: QR Code, Data Matrix, etc.
Application: product traceability, anti-counterfeiting, and marketing, such as scanning code to obtain information.
Advantages: large information capacity, support for multiple data types (text, links, etc.).
Disadvantages: requires higher printing resolution.
NFC (near field communication) tag
Principle: transmit data through short-range wireless communication.
Application: high-end product anti-counterfeiting, interactive marketing.
Advantages: support mobile phone reading, good user experience.
Disadvantages: high cost.
Principle: integrated temperature, humidity, pressure and other sensors.
Application: cold chain logistics, drug transportation.
Advantages: Real-time monitoring of environmental data.
Disadvantages: High cost and complex technology.
1. Hot stamping
Principle: Transfer the pattern on the foil to the packaging surface by heating.
Application: High-end product packaging, such as cosmetics and alcohol.
Advantages: High texture and strong durability.
Disadvantages: High cost and slow speed.
2. UV inkjet
Principle: Printing with ultraviolet curing ink.
Application: Suitable for non-absorbent materials, such as glass, plastics and metals.
Advantages: Fast drying and strong adhesion.
Disadvantages: High equipment cost.