A Complete Guide to Coding and Marking Equipment in Packaging

Welcome to Package This 201 — your guide to packaging machinery and materials, produced by the Emerging Brands Alliance in conjunction with Packaging World PMMI is the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies.

We will focus in this episode on the coding/marking equipment that is found almost everywhere packaging facilities are located. The machines can be used to print or mark variables such as product codes, batch numbers, expiration date, etc. on paper, plastics, metal and glass.

Brands rely on coding systems to help them manage inventory, ensure safety and track products throughout their supply chain. As an example, the batch code on products can help isolate a particular batch if there’s a problem. Product codes, such as expiration dates on packaging of food products, are also relied upon by consumers every day to help them consume the product before spoiling.

The technology of marking and coding is used for packaging security, as well as decorative features.

First, let’s dive into inkjet systems. In this non-contact method, machines propel droplets of ink onto the surface material – called the substrate – to mark lot codes, expiration dates, and other information directly on a package at high rates.

There are two types of inkjet coders: large and small character systems.

Small-character inkjet coders Can print In areas of only 1 to 2 millimeters high. These printers are able to code variable information on many substrates including bottles, cans and products with uneven or curved surfaces. Inkjet printers with small characters are found in many markets, such as the beverage industry.

Here, Squid Ink’s JetStream system is coding expiration dates on the rounded bottom end of aluminum cans. Continuous inkjet, or CIJ for short, is a technology that uses a constant stream of ink drops electrically charged to the material surface. The Squid Ink printer can print up to 5 lines of code at speeds up to 1000 feet per minute. Squid Ink provides the JetStream automatic shut down and start up features, which will maximize your facility’s productivity.

Large-character inkjet systems When legibility of code and the ability to scan it by machine are important, as they are during palletizing and shipping, these codes are used.

Let’s look at Squid Ink’s CoPilot Max inkjet system in action. This large-character printer prints high-resolution text, barcodes, and logos on cases using up to two 2.8-inch inkjet printheads. CoPilot Max Turbo prints sharply with oil-based or solvent-based UV curable inks on many porous and nonporous materials. This model also features a 4.3-inch, full-color touchscreen, providing operators with easy access to the system’s internal messages and print functions.

The large-character inkjet system can be used for palletizing or bulk application, including printing SKUs on pallets and creating labels that include weight and product details.

Laser code Systems are a distinct form of marking and coding technologies. Non-contact markings are produced by focusing energy beams to create precise, durable marks. Laser coders have similar uses to inkjet technology for marking glass, metals, and other surfaces. Laser systems can be used to code flexible packaging such as labelling.

Consider laser when the most important factors are graphic quality and durability of codes throughout the entire supply chain.

Here is a picture of Domino’s A code is applied to the white HDPE pill bottles by U510’s UV laser. The laser coder, designed to preserve the protective barrier on packaging materials without any damage, creates a reaction photochemically at the surface of the material. This laser coder has a short wavelength with a high absorption, which minimizes thermal stress.

Domino’s system can even safely code very thin, sensitive packaging films, making it a solution for hard-to-mark plastics including sustainable packaging materials like recyclable mono-material films.

Other laser technology is used to add security measures on packaging. For example, systems are available that create microtext codes for products and packages.

Thermal Transfer CodingTTO machines, which are also known as thermal transfer overprints or TTOs, use heat to transfer an image from a ribbon onto packaging material. This is used for the coding of flexible packaging like paper, plastic foil and film. TTO machines use heat to transfer images from ribbons to packaging materials. They can create barcodes and labels of high quality, as well as reliable variable data.

TTO technologies are often very versatile and blur the distinction between traditional coding or labeling.

EasyPrint MLP The following is a list of the most recent and relevant articles. BELL-MARK Prints up to 800 millimeters a second on an area up to 8.3 inch. This TTO is a perfect solution for replacing entire labels, as it can handle logos, nutritional data, and more.

BELL-MARK has a model that is washable and comes with many hygienic and durable features. These include a waterproof connection, a closed electrical bay, and other hygienic and robust components. The IP-67 rating allows for use in tough environments, such as those in the dairy, meat, and poultry industries. This model’s HMI touchscreen has label-creation software that allows for multiple users. It also features full data logging and monitoring systems.

Embossing & debossing Equipment You can learn more about it here. It is used to elevate or lower logos or product names on packaging, cans or boxes. Brands can add visual appeal to their packaging by embossing or debossing. This also helps them reinforce brand recognition, and promote customer loyalty.

Finally, The hot and cold stamping machine Use them for decorating and marking as well for security purposes. The hot stamping technique uses a heated die that transfers a thin foil layer onto the product. This is used to create metallic foil prints on high-end specialty cartons and boxes. Cold stamping uses pressure to apply a preprinted image or an hologram as a graphic enhancer or tamper evident feature.

There are even more types of specialty coding equipment, such as reciprocating coders used in bread bagging and other applications, that we won’t have time to cover here. There is no doubt that coding equipment and software are essential for any business. Marking equipment Brands need these tools to be successful. The tools help to maintain product information throughout the entire supply chain.

This video should have given you an overview of some of the most common applications and types of technology.

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