In today’s consumer-driven world, coding and marking play a crucial role in ensuring product authenticity and safety. From expiry dates on groceries to barcodes on electronics, these markings help shoppers make informed choices and trust what they buy. Our guide unpacks how reliable coding and marking can protect your purchases—and empower you as a consumer.
Comparing Coding and Marking Technologies
| Technology | Best For | Print Speed | Resolution | Substrate Compatibility | Durability of Mark | Upfront Cost | Consumables Needed | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) | High-speed, varied surfaces | Very High | Medium | Plastics, glass, metals, paper | Medium-High | Moderate | Ink/solvent | Bottles, cans, pharmaceuticals |
| Thermal Inkjet (TIJ) | High-quality, variable data | Medium | Very High | Paper, cardboard, some plastics | Medium | Low | Cartridges | Cartons, packaging, electronics |
| Laser Marking | Permanent marking | Medium | Extremely High | Metals, plastics, glass, ceramics | Very High | High | None | Parts, automotive, electronics |
| Thermal Transfer Overprint (TTO) | Flexible films, labels | Medium | High | Flexible films, labels, synthetics | High | Moderate | Ribbon | Food packaging, barcoding |
| Print & Apply Labeler | Precise, compliant labeling | High | High | All packaging types, pallets | High | Moderate-High | Labels | Boxes, cases, pallets, logistics |
| Dot Peen (PinStamp) | Metal, durable parts | Medium-Low | Medium | Metal, hard plastics | Very High | Moderate | None | Tools, machinery, ID plates |
Everyday Usage: Where Coding and Marking Matter
Coding and marking solutions are at the heart of modern industry, spanning sectors as diverse as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, automotive, cosmetics, consumer goods, electronics, and logistics. Here’s how they have become essential in everyday production and supply chain processes:
Typical Use Cases
- Product Identification: Applying serial numbers, batch codes, and barcodes directly onto products ensures traceability right from the factory to the end consumer.
- Date and Lot Coding: Expiry dates, manufacture dates, and lot numbers are vital for safety and regulatory compliance, especially in food, beverage, and pharma industries.
- Variable Data Printing: Customizing codes or labels for each individual product (often for promotions or traceability) is routine in high-mix, fast-paced production.
- Branding and Anti-Counterfeit: Logos and unique identifiers help combat counterfeiting and establish brand legitimacy.
- Regulatory Compliance: Meeting evolving government and industry-specific regulations requires legible, accurate, and tamper-evident marking on every package.
Where You’ll See It
- Beverage bottles coded with best-before dates
- Pharmaceutical packaging marked with batch and serial numbers
- Cartons and boxes with barcodes for warehouse tracking
- Metal parts in vehicles stamped with VIN or part numbers
- Nutraceuticals and personal care items bearing tamper-evident codes
Key Benefits of Coding and Marking Solutions
Investing in the right coding and marking technologies delivers significant advantages for both manufacturing and logistics operations:
1. Enhanced Traceability and Security
- Enables rapid, targeted recalls and compliance with industry regulations.
- Deters counterfeiting and ensures product authenticity.
2. Greater Operational Efficiency
- Automates marking and labeling, dramatically reducing manual handling.
- Streamlines batch changes and minimizes downtime during product switchovers.
3. Improved Accuracy and Legibility
- Consistent code placement and high print quality boost readability and reduce risk of errors.
4. Flexibility in Production
- On-demand printing allows quick updates to product information.
- Capable of marking irregular shapes, curved surfaces, or varying substrate types.
5. Cost Savings Over Time
- Lowers waste due to rejected goods caused by marking errors.
- Decreases labor costs by automating critical process steps.
- Reduces consumable waste (especially with non-ink or ribbon-free marking options).
How to Choose the Right Coding and Marking System
Selecting the best technology and equipment requires understanding both your current and evolving production needs. Here’s how you can ensure the right fit:
1. Evaluate Your Substrates
- What are you marking: paper cartons, plastic bottles, glass, metal parts, or flexible films?
- CIJ systems are versatile for most surfaces; Laser is best for permanent marks on metals/plastics; TIJ excels on porous materials.
2. Determine the Print Content
- Plain text, barcodes, QR codes, variable data, or graphics?
- Higher resolution systems (TIJ, TTO, Laser) are necessary for intricate codes or small graphics.
- CIJ works well for basic text and simple codes at high speeds.
3. Production Speed and Uptime
- High-speed lines require CIJ or print & apply systems.
- Lower speed or batch production may benefit from TIJ, laser, or dot peen systems.
4. Environmental and Durability Needs
- Harsh or wet environments may demand highly durable marks (Laser, Dot Peen).
- Consider resistance to abrasion, chemicals, and sunlight.
5. Maintenance and Consumables
- Laser and dot peen require little to no consumables, reducing running costs.
- CIJ and TIJ need regular ink/top-ups.
6. Integration and Scalability
- Will you need to connect to manufacturing execution systems or databases for variable data?
- Can the solution scale as your production expands or diversifies?
7. Budget and Total Cost of Ownership
- Don’t just count upfront purchase cost—factor in consumables, maintenance, downtime, and life expectancy.
Practical Tips & Best Practices for Coding and Marking
- Test your substrate: Always run print/marking tests on your actual packaging to check adhesion and clarity.
- Consider future legislation: Choose solutions that can easily adapt to new barcode symbologies or compliance needs.
- Opt for modular systems: They are easier and more cost-effective to upgrade or repair.
- Automate when possible: Automated systems reduce risk of human error and enable consistent code placement.
- Monitor consumable use: Automated alerts and status indicators help prevent unscheduled downtime.
- Maintain cleanliness: For inkjet systems, regular cleaning of nozzles reduces clogging and print errors.
- Design clear codes: Use fonts, code sizes, and placements that ensure scannability and compliance.
- Train staff well: Ensure operators understand both machine operation and the importance of compliant marking.
- Plan line integration: Ensure the new system doesn’t create a production bottleneck. Seamless integration improves efficiency.
- Schedule regular maintenance: Preventive servicing extends system life and avoids costly breakdowns.
Detailed Comparison of Technical Features
| System Type | Print Resolution | Max Print Speed | Maintenance | Print Height | Consumables Required | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) | Up to 300 dpi | 1,000+ ft/min | Low, periodic | Up to 0.75″ (19mm) | Ink/solvent | High-speed bottling, primary marking |
| Thermal Inkjet (TIJ) | Up to 600 dpi | Up to 500 ft/min | Very low | Up to 0.5″ (12.7mm) | Ink cartridges | Cartons, boxes, high-res variable data |
| Laser Marking | Up to 1200 dpi | 200-750 ft/min | Minimal | Variable | None | Metals, glass, plastic, electronics |
| TTO (Thermal Transfer) | Up to 300 dpi | 80-300 cycles/min | Medium (ribbon) | Up to 2″ (50mm) | Ribbon | Flexible packaging, films, labels |
| Print & Apply Labeler | Up to 600 dpi | 30+ labels/min | Label stock/ribbon | Custom (per label) | Labels, ribbon (if TTO) | Shipping, logistics, compliance |
| Dot Peen (PinStamp) | N/A | 60-120 packages/hr | Minimal | Up to 0.5″ (approx) | None | Metals, part identification |
Related Video
Conclusion
Coding and marking systems form the backbone of modern manufacturing, packaging, and inventory management. Whether you’re shipping products globally, ensuring food safety, or tracking components in industrial machinery, the right marking solution guarantees compliance, traceability, and operational efficiency.
By understanding the variety of available technologies—CIJ, TIJ, laser, TTO, labelers, and dot peen—and matching them to your product materials, throughput needs, and regulatory requirements, you can ensure seamless, cost-effective production.
Invest in modern coding and marking, and you’ll gain a future-ready, compliant, and efficient operation—helping your business grow, compete, and innovate in an ever-demanding marketplace.
FAQ
What is the main difference between coding and marking?
Coding is the process of creating data codes (like batch numbers or barcodes), while marking refers to applying these codes onto products or packaging, using various technologies.
Which coding and marking technology is most versatile?
Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) systems are generally the most versatile, capable of marking on a wide range of substrates at high speeds.
How do I choose the right technology for my product?
Assess your product’s material, production speed, print content (text, barcode, graphics), environment, and budget. Match those to each technology’s strengths (see comparison tables above).
What surfaces can I mark or code onto?
Coding and marking technology can be used on paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, metal, flexible films, labels, and even ceramics—depending on the chosen system.
Do coding and marking machines need a lot of maintenance?
Maintenance requirements vary. CIJ needs regular ink management, TIJ is very low maintenance, laser systems require minimal upkeep, and dot peen systems are also low-maintenance.
What regulatory standards can coding and marking help with?
These systems can ensure compliance with industry and legal standards for traceability, best-before dates, batch/lot codes, safety warnings, and anti-counterfeit measures.
Is laser marking suitable for all products?
Laser marking is best for metals, certain plastics, glass, and ceramics. It may not be ideal for flexible films or substrates sensitive to heat.
How permanent are the marks or codes?
Laser and dot peen offer the highest permanence. Ink-based systems (CIJ, TIJ) provide good durability but may fade or smear under extreme conditions unless special inks are used.
Can I print variable or unique codes on each product?
Yes, most modern systems allow for variable data printing, enabling each item to be marked with unique serial numbers, barcodes, or promotional codes.
How do I ensure my codes are readable and compliant?
Choose high-resolution systems for small codes, use approved fonts and sizes, test codes with barcode/QR readers, and conduct periodic quality checks on your production line.
By understanding these elements, you can confidently invest in the right coding and marking technologies to streamline your operations, maintain compliance, and build a trustworthy brand.
