Glass is one of the most demanding materials to mark: fragile, dense, non-porous and often curved — yet it remains the preferred packaging in the beverage, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. Correct glass marking is not optional — it is a compliance requirement, a traceability obligation and, in the middle of a production peak, a direct uptime issue. Choosing the right technology makes the difference between a line that keeps pace and one that generates rejects and unplanned stoppages.
Good to know
Imark Sistem is an official Markem-Imaje partner in Romania, with access to the full range of glass marking technologies: CIJ, CO2 laser and UV laser. We provide technical consultancy, line integration, original consumables and nationwide service through 7 regional branches.
Why Is Glass Such a Difficult Material to Mark?
Glass is popular as packaging precisely because of the characteristics that make it difficult to mark: it is dense, non-porous and can be recycled indefinitely without quality loss. Glass is used across beverages (beer, wine, water, spirits), cosmetics and fragrances, pharmaceuticals, and also in technical sectors such as automotive and solar panels. Each of these brings specific coding requirements.
The main technical challenges producers face:
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More information on every package — traceability, batch numbers, expiry dates, plus complex 2D formats (QR codes, DataMatrix) that become mandatory from 2027 under GS1 Sunrise. -
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High production speeds — especially on beverage lines, where code quality must remain consistent even at extreme throughputs, with zero tolerance for missed or illegible codes. -
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Wet environments and condensation — cold bottles frequently carry condensation on the surface, which demands high-adhesion inks and properly prepared surfaces for coding. -
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Curved and transparent surfaces — transparent or coloured glass creates code contrast challenges; curved surfaces require non-contact systems with flexible printhead positioning. -
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Returnable bottles and sustainability — returnable bottles require codes that survive the full usage cycle but are easily removed at recycling. Reducing glass thickness for sustainability increases fragility and moves information directly onto the packaging.
In Peak Season, Speed on the Beverage Line Makes All the Difference
The warm season means production peaks for beverage manufacturers: extra shifts, larger batches, pressure on every minute of line downtime. A missed code or a printer requiring unplanned maintenance in full season translates directly into undelivered orders. Glass marking in summer is not just a compliance requirement — it is an uptime and total cost of ownership issue.
→ See our dedicated solutions for the beverage industry.
Available Technologies for Glass Marking
Markem-Imaje offers three technologies for glass marking, each suited to a specific type of application: CIJ (Continuous Inkjet), CO2 laser and UV laser. As an official partner, Imark Sistem handles selection, integration and service for all three technologies across Romania.
CIJ — Continuous Inkjet
The most flexible non-contact solution for glass marking. Variable data at high speeds, in wet environments, on curved surfaces. Wide range of specialised inks.
CO2 Laser — SmartLase®
Permanent codes with no ink, up to 150,000 products/hour. Patented Intelli’Arc® writing technology and onboard Intelli’Cool® cooling. Zero consumables.
UV Laser — SmartLase® UV500
Maximum precision on dense glass with minimal heat transfer. Scannable 2D codes as small as 2×2 mm — ideal for track-and-trace and decorative marking.
CoLOS® Software
Variable data management, ERP/MES connectivity and GS1 Digital Link compliance — for all three marking technologies on the same line.
1. CIJ (Continuous Inkjet) — Flexibility and Speed
CIJ is the most versatile non-contact glass marking solution: it applies variable data (batch, date, time, 1D and 2D codes) at high speeds, on curved surfaces and in wet environments. With an extensive range of specialised inks, Markem-Imaje covers every type of glass application:
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MEK-free inks and low-VOC variants — reduced environmental impact, an increasingly frequent requirement in the food and beverage industry. -
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High-adhesion, fast-drying inks resistant to water, condensation, cleaning agents and pasteurisation — essential for beverage lines. -
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Inks for returnable bottles — remain readable throughout the usage cycle but are removed cleanly during the recycling process. -
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Pigmented contrast inks (models 9750+ and 9750 Expert Series) — for readable marking on coloured glass (green, amber, black).
Recommended models: the 9330 series for light lines with a low operating cost; 9750 for medium lines with digitalisation and 2D code requirements; 9750+ and 9750 Expert Series for large fleets and high throughputs.
→ Details on the range of Markem-Imaje CIJ Inkjet printers.
2. CO2 Laser — Permanent Codes, Zero Consumables
For permanent, high-quality ink-free codes, the SmartLase® CO2 range is the right choice on high-speed beverage lines. With patented Intelli’Arc® writin
g technology and integrated Intelli’Cool® cooling, it delivers sharp, high-contrast codes with outstanding uptime. Models C150, C350, C600 and BOU variants (for confined spaces) reach up to 150,000 products per hour — a decisive performance advantage on fast beverage lines.
→ See the full range of Markem-Imaje laser marking solutions.
3. UV Laser — Maximum Precision on Dense Glass
SmartLase® UV500 delivers the most precise marking on high-density materials, including glass, with minimal heat transfer. It excels at static, decorative and track-and-trace applications, producing scannable 2D codes as small as 2×2 mm. Recommended for the pharmaceutical industry, premium cosmetics and technical glass (automotive, laboratory vials).
How to Choose the Right Technology for Your Application
The choice depends on line speed, code type, production environment and budget. In brief:
| Criterion | CIJ | CO2 Laser | UV Laser |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical application | Beverages, batch/expiry data, wet environment | High-speed beverages, permanent codes | Pharma, cosmetics, track-and-trace |
| 1D and 2D codes | ⚠ For guaranteed optimal scannability, Imark Sistem recommends in most cases printing 1D and 2D codes onto a label — regardless of which marking technology is used on the line. | ||
| Code resistance in wet environments | ✓ Yes (adhesion inks) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Consumables | Ink + solvent | ✓ None | ✓ None |
| Maximum speed | Very high | Up to 150,000/hour | Medium (maximum precision) |
The final recommendation depends on the specific line configuration. Imark Sistem specialists carry out application assessment and calibration before implementation.
2D Codes and the GS1 Sunrise 2027 Transition
2D codes have become indispensable for connecting products to the digital environment and for compliance with new traceability regulations — including GS1 Digital Link and the Digital Product Passport. From 2027, GS1 will begin phasing out 1D barcodes in favour of 2D formats (QR and DataMatrix) across all consumer products. Manufacturers bottling in glass need to be ready.
Attention — 2027 Deadline
If your current glass marking system cannot generate GS1 Digital Link-compliant 2D codes, now is the time to assess upgrading or replacing your equipment. The transition requires implementation time, testing and line validation.
Markem-Imaje solutions distributed by Imark Sistem have GS1 Digital Link-compliant 2D codes built into both the hardware and the CoLOS® software — so the transition can be prepared well in advance, without major infrastructure changes.
→ Learn more about dynamic 2D codes compliant with GS1 Sunrise.
Frequently Asked Questions About Glass Marking
Why Choose Imark Sistem for Glass Marking?
As an official Markem-Imaje partner with over 20 years of activity, Imark Sistem provides complete glass marking solutions — from technical consultancy and technology selection, to line integration, original consumables and after-sales service. With 7 national branches, we guarantee fast response times anywhere in Romania — essential when a line stoppage in peak production season is simply not an option.
What the Imark Sistem offer includes
Technical consultancy and application calibration before implementation · Complete CIJ and laser portfolio for any glass type · Original Markem-Imaje consumables, including MEK-free inks and inks for returnable bottles · Nationwide service and spare parts · Preparation for GS1 Sunrise 2027 compliance and 2D codes.
Discover the full range of industrial marking applications available through Imark Sistem, or contact us directly for an assessment of your glass marking application.
Get Your Line Ready for Peak Season
Tell us what you produce and at what speed — we will recommend the right glass marking solution, with no consultancy fees.
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