Rotech team
While coding and marking may seem like a small part of the production process, it plays a critical role for several key reasons. It’s vital for meeting regulatory requirements, ensuring traceability and keeping consumers safe by providing them with essential information like use-by dates.
When choosing equipment to apply this crucial data to your products or packaging, keep the following in mind:
Is it porous? Non-porous? Is it glossy or matte? These substrate properties help determine the technology and ink that you will need to achieve a print that is legible and durable.
We’ll always ask for a sample before fully committing to a printer/ink combination. This allows us to carry out in-house print tests to ensure that you are offered the best solution for application needs.
There are two types of printing technology – contact and non-contact. Contact printers require the printhead to be in direct contact with the substrate they are printing onto, whereas non-contact printers ‘throw’ ink onto the surface from a distance.
Contact technologies include thermal transfer and hot foil, whereas contact-free technologies include laser, continuous inkjet (CIJ) and thermal inkjet (TIJ).
If your print surface is flat, then either contact or non-contact printers could do the job. However, if the area that you want to print is curved, you’re limited to contact-free. The option you choose will usually come down to the curvature of the print area. If it is slightly curved, then a TIJ may do the job perfectly. However, if the curve is considerable, laser or CIJ is best.
Are you printing static data like a company logo or part number? Or do you need to print variable information such as date codes or batch numbers?
If variable data is required, think about how often it will need to be updated. Do you want a solution that updates automatically, or would you prefer a setup where an operator manually updates the information as needed?
Clarifying these needs will help you find a system that aligns with your production process and keeps everything running smoothly.
The size and quality of your print often depends on the type of packaging that you’re working with. For instance, printing on a perfume carton typically requires a high-quality, subtle code that complements the packaging’s overall look and feel.
What you are printing also plays a role. A company logo or graphic will usually need a higher resolution than a simple date code made up of numbers and letters.
Other things to consider:
Answering the above will help you choose a printer that delivers the right size and quality for your needs.
For most coding applications, a standard black print is sufficient.
However, there are times where a different colour is required – like a yellow part number on a black pipe or a white date code on a dark-coloured chocolate box.
Keep in mind, the range of colour options depends on the technology you’re using. If you need anything other than black, it’s best to mention this early in the process to ensure the solution can meet your requirements.
Are you looking for one solution to print or mark just one product, or a whole range?
If the latter, then the flexibility of the system will need to be considered. Can it be easily adjusted between products?
There are future-proof systems available that can help see you through company growth/product expansion. Just make any visions known to your coding and marking solutions provider.
Does your printer need to integrate seamlessly with your exisiting production setup? Consider the equipment you already have and how the printer will interact with it. Ensuring compatility from the start can save time, money and potential headaches later down the line.
How much downtime can you afford during installation? Some printers are classed as ‘plug-and-play’, offering quick set-up and minimal disruption to your production schedule. Choose a system that aligns with your operational needs and keeps downtime to a minimum.
If you’re operating in a harsh production environment, for example a dusty warehouse or an area that is washed down regularly, you will need to check that the printer can withstand such conditions and more importantly, still reliably produce a high-quality print.
Another thing to consider is the temperature in which the printer is to be installed, and whether it varies at all.
To keep your production line running smoothly, it’s crucial to match up your printer’s capabilities to your line speed. Different coding technologies operate at varying speeds, so knowing the pace your printer needs to keep up with will ensure you avoid delays or bottlenecks.
While no coding technology is fully sustainable yet, there are notable differences in energy consumption, waste production, and chemical use between various options. These factors could play a key role in your decision-making process if environmental impact is a priority for your business.
Budgeting for a coding solution involves more than just the upfront cost of the printer or coder. Consider installation fees, ongoing maintenance and repair expenses, as well as the cost of consumables needed to keep the system running. Taking a holistic view of these costs will help you make a more informed investment.
Our team of experts are here to guide you and to answer any questions you may have. Contact us today.
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