FAQ: Coding & Marking Systems

Choosing the right coding or marking technology depends on several key factors:

• Production speed
  Line speed can be a big determining factor in what technology would work for your applications. For very high line speeds, CIJ is the ideal technology.
• Surface to be printed onto
  What you’re printing on matters. Is it cardboard, plastic, glass, foil, or metal? Different inks and technologies adhere differently.
• What you are printing
  Do you need text, barcodes, logos, or variable data? Some technologies offer higher resolution or more flexibility than others.
• Print location
  Are you printing onto a flat or curved surface? Top-down or from the side?
• Environment
  Is the production area dusty, wet, cold, or hot? Certain technologies are more robust in challenging environments.
• Changeover frequency
  If you switch products often, you’ll want a system that’s easy to set up and change, like TIJ or TTO.
• Cost and volume
  Think beyond the upfront cost—consider ink or consumable usage, maintenance and total cost of ownership for your print volumes.
• Compliance and legibility
  Some industries require high-contrast, long-lasting marks. Make sure your chosen technology meets any legal or quality standards.

Need help narrowing it down? We’ll guide you to the right solution for your product. Just ask.

Coding and marking refers to the process of applying variable data to products during late-stage production. These can be serial numbers, batch codes, use by dates or product names. It can support traceability and marketing, its most often a legal requirement driven by industry.