PERFECT MARKING ON ANY SUBSTRATE!
Brand identification and traceability
Product marking or coding provides you with a means of identification along the entire logistics chain, thus increasing your traceability and compliance with partner requirements.
Brand
Protection
Your products are better protected against counterfeiting and diversion.
Compliance with Legal Requirements
Meet the legal requirements for product marking, mandatory specifications in certain industries (food and beverage industry, pharmaceuticals, etc.)
Genuine
Supplies
Industrial printers consumables are designed to print on all types of packaging from standard applications to specific applications (for the food industry, sterilization, UV, egg coding, etc.).
Marking on glass
Industry’s challenges
Printing on food, beverage, and cosmetics containers represents common applications of glass coding. These products are often filled into glass bottles due to the superior protection, product positioning, and taste preservation this material provides. Inks for such products must meet safety and hygiene guidelines and may have additional special requirements, such as being alkali-soluble for printing on returnable bottles.
Printing on food, beverage, and cosmetics containers represents common applications of glass coding. These products are often filled into glass bottles due to the superior protection, product positioning, and taste preservation this material provides. Inks for such products must meet safety and hygiene guidelines and may have additional special requirements, such as being alkali-soluble for printing on returnable bottles.
The SmartLase C350 laser reduces your operating expenses thanks to ink-free operations. This coder creates permanent, sharp codes on glass that are ideal for anti-counterfeiting measures, such as a branded vodka that is not on a fast production line.
Alternatively, the ultrafast 9450 S continuous inkjet printer is specially designed for the beverage industry. It can produce a two-line code on 120,000 containers or packs per hour, and its hygienic stainless-steel design is able to withstand regular washing.
Though it does not directly touch the food, ink applied to the outside of food containers must meet safety requirements, such as being MEK (ketone) free. Returnable glass bottles also require a special alkali-soluble ink that must remain 100% readable until the bottle is returned, but can then be removed and replaced with a new code once it is refilled. For these and other specialized needs, we offer a wide selection of inks, including a unique white ink, to suit glass bottles of different colors.
Marking on plastic bottles
Industry’s challenges
Printing on beverage, pharmaceutical, industrial, and cosmetics containers are very common coding and marking application for plastic bottles. Marking on plastic bottles must meet certain standards and requirements that depend on the plastic material, the speed of the production line, and the intended use of a product.
Printing on beverage, pharmaceutical, industrial, and cosmetics containers are very common coding and marking application for plastic bottles. Marking on plastic bottles must meet certain standards and requirements that depend on the plastic material, the speed of the production line, and the intended use of a product.
OUR OFFER. The robust SmartLase C150S and C350S laser coders are one of two major technologies for coding plastic bottles, and they can code more than 100,000 plastic bottles per hour. These coders can be easily integrated into high-speed production lines that require permanent coding for traceability purposes. The SmartLase C150S and C350S achieve maximum print contrast on plastic materials and use proprietary crossless fonts to prevent bottle perforation.
Our ultrafast 9450 S continuous inkjet (CIJ) printer is another option for coding on plastic bottles. This printer is dedicated to beverage production lines and can produce a two-line code on 120,000 containers or packs per hour. We offer the most high-tech CIJ inks on the market, as well as specialty inks that can be removed by caustic soda, designed for customers looking to reuse their plastic bottles.
Marking on Metal Cans and Caps
Industry’s Challenges
Metal cans are fully recyclable and offer both sterility and long shelf life for canned food, pet food, and beverages. These factors make them a top choice for packaging in the food and beverage industries.
Metal cans are fully recyclable and offer both sterility and long shelf life for canned food, pet food, and beverages. These factors make them a top choice for packaging in the food and beverage industries.
OUR OFFER. Our continuous inkjet (CIJ) printers suitable for coding on bare metal in the food and beverage industries include the 9029 and the top-of-the-line 9450 models. Specialized color-change inks are available and can serve as a visual quality control indicator that metal cans filled with food have successfully completed the high-pressure sterilization process. Inks visible only in UV light are also available as an anti-counterfeiting measure.
Alternatively, our SmartLase F500 laser coder is specially designed for high-speed beverage can lines and reduces operating expenses thanks to its ink-free operation. Laser coders produce the sharp, permanent codes ideal for traceability and anticounterfeiting measures.
Marking on Flexible Films
Industry’s Challenges
Flexible film is the most common type of packaging, with a 40% share of the global market. In the past, mechanical approaches to coding on packages were used, but these are expensive and not very versatile. Today, more cost-efficient digital methods are available that improve the traceability of products.
Flexible film is the most common type of packaging, with a 40% share of the global market. In the past, mechanical approaches to coding on packages were used, but these are expensive and not very versatile. Today, more cost-efficient digital methods are available that improve the traceability of products.
OUR OFFER. Markem-Imaje provides four digital options for coding on flexible film—thermal transfer, continuous inkjet, thermal inkjet, and laser—each of which provides unique sets of advantages, ensuring you can choose the option that best suits your coding needs.
Thermal transfer printers, developed specifically for flexible materials, offer a better print quality than continuous inkjet and thermal inkjet printing on a wide range of film types. Able to code large print areas, there is no drying time required and it offers versatility in print design.
Continuous inkjet printers are the most versatile, and can be used on any material, and are high speed. With low capital costs and easy mechanical integration, these printers can be used on finished or pre-filled products.
Thermal inkjet printers offer adjustable high-resolution printing from 1 to 600 dpi, low maintenance costs, and ease of use, but are less cost-efficient at high volumes.
Finally, laser coders offer the advantages of high speed and high production printing, indelible print, and low maintenance and running costs. However, they require laser-responsive material to print on.
Thermal transfer printers, developed specifically for flexible materials, offer a better print quality than continuous inkjet and thermal inkjet printing on a wide range of film types. Able to code large print areas, there is no drying time required and it offers versatility in print design.
Continuous inkjet printers are the most versatile, and can be used on any material, and are high speed. With low capital costs and easy mechanical integration, these printers can be used on finished or pre-filled products.
Thermal inkjet printers offer adjustable high-resolution printing from 1 to 600 dpi, low maintenance costs, and ease of use, but are less cost-efficient at high volumes.
Finally, laser coders offer the advantages of high speed and high production printing, indelible print, and low maintenance and running costs. However, they require laser-responsive material to print on.
Marking on Leads
Industry’s Challenges
Yogurts, desserts, and other products packaged in cups are often heat-sealed with a metalized polyester film lid, which provides a safety barrier against external contaminants. These types of products often come in packs and may include multiple units. High-resolution printing, therefore, must be done over multiple print fields and a large surface area.
Yogurts, desserts, and other products packaged in cups are often heat-sealed with a metalized polyester film lid, which provides a safety barrier against external contaminants. These types of products often come in packs and may include multiple units. High-resolution printing, therefore, must be done over multiple print fields and a large surface area.
OUR OFFER. As there are different grades of metalized plastic film — often with one side being aluminum coated and the other plain, different printing solutions may be better adapted to some plastic film lids than others.
Able to code multiple fields at a time, the SmartLase C350 HD and C350 HD+ laser coders can cover a print area of up to 500×500 mm and can code several foil lids at once, enabling cost-efficient, high-speed production.
For high-speed and high contrast printing, we offer continuous inkjet (CIJ) printing solutions. CIJ printer models range from the 9029, easy to install and designed to optimize daily operations, to the 9450 models, designed to be fully available and improve your overall equipment efficiency (OEE).
Able to code multiple fields at a time, the SmartLase C350 HD and C350 HD+ laser coders can cover a print area of up to 500×500 mm and can code several foil lids at once, enabling cost-efficient, high-speed production.
For high-speed and high contrast printing, we offer continuous inkjet (CIJ) printing solutions. CIJ printer models range from the 9029, easy to install and designed to optimize daily operations, to the 9450 models, designed to be fully available and improve your overall equipment efficiency (OEE).
Marking on Food (eggs etc.)
Industry’s Challenges
Printing on confections, biscuits, eggs, and cheese are common applications of food coding, but the use of food-grade inks can be filled with complexity. Substances that directly touch food are considered food additives and are more stringently controlled than those that are on the packaging, but any packaging inks that may inadvertently come into contact with food may also need to be of incidental food-grade quality.
Printing on confections, biscuits, eggs, and cheese are common applications of food coding, but the use of food-grade inks can be filled with complexity. Substances that directly touch food are considered food additives and are more stringently controlled than those that are on the packaging, but any packaging inks that may inadvertently come into contact with food may also need to be of incidental food-grade quality.
OUR OFFER. For printing directly on food, we offer a line of continuous inkjet inks together with a line of wax-based, edible hot-melt inks that are FDA, EU, and kosher compliant. For incidental food contact with packaging, a line of inks is also available.
The 9450 continuous inkjet printer offers traceable egg coding at high-speed. Available in blue or red and compliant with all local and national regulations, these dedicated food-grade inks can be used to code more than 250,000 eggs an hour on an eight-track grading machine.
The 5400 FG printer uses our patented Touch Dry hot-melt edible inks, available in six colors, that will not run or bleed into food. Able to continuously print without line stoppages, this printer can code 4 messages simultaneously on a variety of substrates.
The 9450 continuous inkjet printer offers traceable egg coding at high-speed. Available in blue or red and compliant with all local and national regulations, these dedicated food-grade inks can be used to code more than 250,000 eggs an hour on an eight-track grading machine.
The 5400 FG printer uses our patented Touch Dry hot-melt edible inks, available in six colors, that will not run or bleed into food. Able to continuously print without line stoppages, this printer can code 4 messages simultaneously on a variety of substrates.
Marking on Shrink Films for Retail
Industry’s Challenges
The use of plastic shrink films is an inexpensive and adaptable way for food companies and other consumer goods manufacturers to package their products. Shrink film may be made of polyolefin, PVC, polyethylene, and, least commonly, polypropylene. Detailed coding on shrink wrap allows end-to-end traceability of products throughout the distribution chain, reducing costly recalls.
The use of plastic shrink films is an inexpensive and adaptable way for food companies and other consumer goods manufacturers to package their products. Shrink film may be made of polyolefin, PVC, polyethylene, and, least commonly, polypropylene. Detailed coding on shrink wrap allows end-to-end traceability of products throughout the distribution chain, reducing costly recalls.
OUR OFFER. Markem-Imaje offers four different types of digital solutions for shrink film, with a total of almost a dozen different printers and coders. These solutions are generally integrated into the packaging machine.
Thermal transfer overprinting (TTO) coders are created specifically for flexible materials, providing high-quality prints on a wide range of film types at a low cost. Continuous inkjet (CIJ) printers, the most versatile of printer types, mark at ultrafast speeds and can be used on finished or pre-filled products. Thermal inkjet (TIJ) printers are fast, easy to maintain and their print resolution can be adjusted from 1 to 600 dpi. Alternatively, our laser coders are ideal for high-speed and high production rate lines.
Marking on Shrink Wrap for Logistics
Industry’s Challenges
Shrinkwrap is used both for individual packaging and to encase entire pallets of goods, but can be challenging to code on because of potentially uneven surfaces. GS1-128 compliant labels can be used to add tracking information to pallets, such as product-specific data, batch codes, and expiration dates.
Shrinkwrap is used both for individual packaging and to encase entire pallets of goods, but can be challenging to code on because of potentially uneven surfaces. GS1-128 compliant labels can be used to add tracking information to pallets, such as product-specific data, batch codes, and expiration dates.
OUR OFFER. Using the wrong label application method, the wrong ink, or the wrong adhesives for compliant product identification can result in errors and costly downtime. We have several solutions for applying product data, from printing directly on outer cases to GS1-label printing or application on pallets.
Our 2200 Series print and apply solution applies compliant, traceable codes at the highest application speeds, meeting supply chain demands, and maximizing production line availability and efficiency. For applying labels to uneven surfaces, we recommend the 2200 Flex SE.
For complex labeling requirements such as part or multisided labeling, we offer the Cimpak, which features a multi-axis label application of up to 4 labels on 3 sides of a single pallet. With 100% readable barcodes printed at speeds of 120 pallets per hour, it brings ultimate traceability to warehousing and inventory control.
Our 2200 Series print and apply solution applies compliant, traceable codes at the highest application speeds, meeting supply chain demands, and maximizing production line availability and efficiency. For applying labels to uneven surfaces, we recommend the 2200 Flex SE.
For complex labeling requirements such as part or multisided labeling, we offer the Cimpak, which features a multi-axis label application of up to 4 labels on 3 sides of a single pallet. With 100% readable barcodes printed at speeds of 120 pallets per hour, it brings ultimate traceability to warehousing and inventory control.
Marking on Plastic Rigid Containers and Caps
Industry’s Challenges
Lightweight rigid and semi-rigid plastics have replaced glass or metal containers as the packaging of choice for many dairy products, candy, and cosmetics. They are also frequently used for industrial components. These lightweight, durable plastics include polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). While the use of rigid and semi-rigid plastics can reduce shipping and handling costs, the different chemical compositions of these plastics can affect ink adhesion or the effectiveness of laser coding.
Lightweight rigid and semi-rigid plastics have replaced glass or metal containers as the packaging of choice for many dairy products, candy, and cosmetics. They are also frequently used for industrial components. These lightweight, durable plastics include polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). While the use of rigid and semi-rigid plastics can reduce shipping and handling costs, the different chemical compositions of these plastics can affect ink adhesion or the effectiveness of laser coding.
OUR OFFER. Markem-Imaje provides two main technologies for marking plastic containers and caps.
SmartLase laser coders are available in four different wavelengths, to meet variable needs regarding permanency, visibility, fluid resistance, and the chemical composition of the plastic. Providing permanent codes, they guarantee high quality, high contrast coding on plastic substrates.
Alternatively, our continuous inkjet printers, thermal inkjet, and large character inkjet coders can also be used to code on plastic containers and caps, depending on your needs.
Marking on Rubber
Industry’s Challenges
Tire manufacturers consume about 70 percent of the natural rubber produced, though rubber is also used in thousands of other consumers, medical and industrial products. Coding on rubber requires either printers that can function in the most demanding of production environments and are capable of using high opacity inks or laser coders that provide high contrast marking or deep etching on rubber.
Tire manufacturers consume about 70 percent of the natural rubber produced, though rubber is also used in thousands of other consumers, medical and industrial products. Coding on rubber requires either printers that can function in the most demanding of production environments and are capable of using high opacity inks or laser coders that provide high contrast marking or deep etching on rubber.
OUR OFFER. We offer two technologies that are particularly suited for coding on rubber. Our 9450 contrast series of continuous inkjet (CIJ) printers, featuring a patented pigment ink circuit, uses high contrast, durable inks that ensure clearly legible codes, even on the darkest of substrates. Available in a wide variety of colors, these inks are highly resistant to harsh environmental conditions and display excellent adhesion qualities.
Alternatively, for permanent and ink-free coding on rubber, we offer the CO2 SmartLase C150 and C350, as well as the fiber SmartLase F200 laser coders. The fiber laser coder is usually used to produce high contrast codes, while the CO2 laser coders are best suited for deep etching or engraving into the rubber. The permanence of laser codes guarantees the traceability of your products over the long term, and these coders are capable of creating complex messages, including barcodes.
Alternatively, for permanent and ink-free coding on rubber, we offer the CO2 SmartLase C150 and C350, as well as the fiber SmartLase F200 laser coders. The fiber laser coder is usually used to produce high contrast codes, while the CO2 laser coders are best suited for deep etching or engraving into the rubber. The permanence of laser codes guarantees the traceability of your products over the long term, and these coders are capable of creating complex messages, including barcodes.
Marking on Metal and Plastic Industrial Parts
Industry’s Challenges
Metal and plastic industrial parts, used in the aerospace and automotive industries, are coded for a number of reasons, including brand and part identification, traceability, anti-counterfeiting measures, and regulatory compliance. Some applications may require that the parts be static while the printhead moves, others that the parts are in motion while the printhead remains fixed.
Metal and plastic industrial parts, used in the aerospace and automotive industries, are coded for a number of reasons, including brand and part identification, traceability, anti-counterfeiting measures, and regulatory compliance. Some applications may require that the parts be static while the printhead moves, others that the parts are in motion while the printhead remains fixed.
OUR OFFER. Markem-Imaje offers four different coding solutions, depending on your different needs when coding metal as untreated metal, painted metal or hard plastic or rubber parts, or other related substances.
Markem-Imaje line of SmartLase laser coders comes in four different wavelengths, with the shortest wavelength working well on bare metal and the others more suitable for high contrast printing on painted metal and some plastics.
For plastics not compatible with lasers, we also offer continuous inkjet, thermal inkjet, and valvejet printer technologies using dedicated inks. Each of these printers has unique advantages.
Markem-Imaje line of SmartLase laser coders comes in four different wavelengths, with the shortest wavelength working well on bare metal and the others more suitable for high contrast printing on painted metal and some plastics.
For plastics not compatible with lasers, we also offer continuous inkjet, thermal inkjet, and valvejet printer technologies using dedicated inks. Each of these printers has unique advantages.
Marking on Cables and Wires
Industry’s Challenges
Cables and wires are often produced in environments that require printing to resist fluids, rubbing, high temperatures, and other extreme environmental factors. The material type, industry, line speed, size of the code, and required rub resistance are all elements that must be considered when choosing a coding solution.
Cables and wires are often produced in environments that require printing to resist fluids, rubbing, high temperatures, and other extreme environmental factors. The material type, industry, line speed, size of the code, and required rub resistance are all elements that must be considered when choosing a coding solution.
OUR OFFER. Our continuous inkjet and laser solutions are specially designed for the wire and cable industry. Fast with high code visibility and contrast, they also deliver superior fluid, rubbing, and twisting resistance, which improves the product’s long-term traceability, safety, and compliance.
Our 9450 E inkjet printer can print up to 20% faster than other competitive models. Specialty inks are available in multiple colors, including a one-fits-all silver ink and a selection of MEK-free inks that will guarantee high contrast codes with no migration on a wide variety of substrates. It can print 3,000 km of cable without requiring printhead cleaning and is able to print precise, perfect codes on even the smallest wires, down to 1 mm.
The SmartLase laser portfolio provides a cost-efficient solution for coding on most cable and wire materials at high speeds. The SmartLase C350 and F500 coders produce permanent codes that will not fade or rub off over time, and they are available in four different wavelengths.
Our 9450 E inkjet printer can print up to 20% faster than other competitive models. Specialty inks are available in multiple colors, including a one-fits-all silver ink and a selection of MEK-free inks that will guarantee high contrast codes with no migration on a wide variety of substrates. It can print 3,000 km of cable without requiring printhead cleaning and is able to print precise, perfect codes on even the smallest wires, down to 1 mm.
The SmartLase laser portfolio provides a cost-efficient solution for coding on most cable and wire materials at high speeds. The SmartLase C350 and F500 coders produce permanent codes that will not fade or rub off over time, and they are available in four different wavelengths.
Marking on Extruded Plastics
Industry’s Challenges
Extruded plastic takes many different forms, including pipes, wires, tubing, and cable insulation. Emerging trends show a preference for anti-microbial plastic pipe, as well as eco-friendly ABS and PE plastics. Traceability is vital in this industry, and codes have to remain 100% readable, even in demanding environments or on difficult substrates such as PVC, PE LSZH, or PP plastics.
Extruded plastic takes many different forms, including pipes, wires, tubing, and cable insulation. Emerging trends show a preference for anti-microbial plastic pipe, as well as eco-friendly ABS and PE plastics. Traceability is vital in this industry, and codes have to remain 100% readable, even in demanding environments or on difficult substrates such as PVC, PE LSZH, or PP plastics.
OUR OFFER. Markem-Imaje 9450 E continuous inkjet printer, built specifically for the wire and cable industry, delivers cost-effective, high-speed, and high contrast inkjet printing, with no ink migration, on a wide range of substrates and diameters. A variety of specialty inks, including a one-fits-all silver ink and a selection of MEK-free solutions are available for use with this model.
Another choice is our SmartLase laser portfolio. The SmartLase C350 and SmartLase F500 coders reduce operating expenses thanks to ink-free operations and create permanent codes that do not fade or rub off over time. SmartLase coders are available with CO2 and fiber ranges, as well as a choice of four wavelengths and a multitude of lenses, scan heads, and ingress protection (IP) options.
Another choice is our SmartLase laser portfolio. The SmartLase C350 and SmartLase F500 coders reduce operating expenses thanks to ink-free operations and create permanent codes that do not fade or rub off over time. SmartLase coders are available with CO2 and fiber ranges, as well as a choice of four wavelengths and a multitude of lenses, scan heads, and ingress protection (IP) options.
Marking on Paperboard Cartons
Industry’s Challenges
The excellent quality print surface, structural stability, inherent sustainability, and recycling potential offered by paperboard help explain its popularity. Paperboard types include boxboard and containerboard, as well as a wood-free pulp product, all with various thicknesses. The coating may be glossy or matte, colored or pure white, and size and surface texture can vary greatly. The choice of printing technologies and inks must, therefore, be carefully considered in order to match the paperboard’s characteristics.
The excellent quality print surface, structural stability, inherent sustainability, and recycling potential offered by paperboard help explain its popularity. Paperboard types include boxboard and containerboard, as well as a wood-free pulp product, all with various thicknesses. The coating may be glossy or matte, colored or pure white, and size and surface texture can vary greatly. The choice of printing technologies and inks must, therefore, be carefully considered in order to match the paperboard’s characteristics.
OUR OFFER. Printing on paperboard is an ideal way to convey information and build your brand.
Depending on the speed of your production line, the size, and the format of your packaging, we provide specialized inks that meet drying speed and smear-resistance requirements.
We also offer a wide range of printers—all of which can be paired with our CoLOS software solutions—including continuous inkjet, thermal inkjet, Touch Dry high-resolution piezo, and large character valvejet, as well as laser coders.
Depending on the speed of your production line, the size, and the format of your packaging, we provide specialized inks that meet drying speed and smear-resistance requirements.
We also offer a wide range of printers—all of which can be paired with our CoLOS software solutions—including continuous inkjet, thermal inkjet, Touch Dry high-resolution piezo, and large character valvejet, as well as laser coders.
Marking on Corrugated Cases
Industry’s Challenges
Printing solutions for corrugated cases must have dual functions: companies that pack their products in cases want codes that allow traceability and branding opportunities, while their customers require product information and barcoding for easy identification. Corrugated cases can be printed with GS1-128 codes, which are encoded with detailed information about the journey of the product, ensuring advanced traceability of cases throughout the entire supply chain.
Printing solutions for corrugated cases must have dual functions: companies that pack their products in cases want codes that allow traceability and branding opportunities, while their customers require product information and barcoding for easy identification. Corrugated cases can be printed with GS1-128 codes, which are encoded with detailed information about the journey of the product, ensuring advanced traceability of cases throughout the entire supply chain.
OUR OFFER. We offer a versatile portfolio of end-of-line solutions that create high-quality, compliant codes on corrugated cases.
The 5000 series of Touch Dry high-resolution inkjet printers with Intelli’Wax printheads rapidly fill and jet Touch Dry inks, which solidify on contact and do not blur codes by spreading through corrugate fibers.
Alternatively, the 1050 and 1200 high-resolution, high-speed thermal inkjet printers are designed for intermittent or low volume production lines, while the 4000 series of large character valvejet printers offer simplicity and flexibility, with dedicated models ideal for one-sided case coding and multisided coding.
In addition to these three direct print options, the 2200 Print and Apply labelers provide the highest print quality and Grade A GS1 compliant barcodes while being reliable, efficient, and easy to use.
The 5000 series of Touch Dry high-resolution inkjet printers with Intelli’Wax printheads rapidly fill and jet Touch Dry inks, which solidify on contact and do not blur codes by spreading through corrugate fibers.
Alternatively, the 1050 and 1200 high-resolution, high-speed thermal inkjet printers are designed for intermittent or low volume production lines, while the 4000 series of large character valvejet printers offer simplicity and flexibility, with dedicated models ideal for one-sided case coding and multisided coding.
In addition to these three direct print options, the 2200 Print and Apply labelers provide the highest print quality and Grade A GS1 compliant barcodes while being reliable, efficient, and easy to use.
