Which Date Coding Technology… Is Right for Your Production Line

Printing Manufacturing Date (MFG), Expiry Date (EXP), Lot No., and Batch No. may seem like just a small step in the production line, but this information is important for both product quality, Traceability, and the efficiency of the production process Today, there are several types of Coding & Marking technologies. Which one is suitable for your application?

Continuous Inkjet Printer (CIJ – Continuous Inkjet)
Uses small droplets of ink sprayed onto the surface. Suitable for high-speed production lines and a wide variety of surfaces, such as bottles, cans, plastics, wires, and industrial parts. However, it has limitations in terms of print sharpness, which may not be as high as TTO, as well as higher maintenance costs and higher ink costs.

Thermal Inkjet Printer (TIJ – Thermal Inkjet)
Uses heat to inkjet ink. Suitable for printing applications that do not require very high speeds. Supports Text, Barcode, and 2D Code. Suitable for applications requiring high resolution, such as carton boxes and certain types of packaging. Advantages include relatively low printer and ink costs, easy operation, and easy maintenance. However, it has limitations regarding printable materials and ink durability.

Thermal Transfer Overprinting (TTO)
Uses a printhead and ribbon to transfer ink through heat onto flexible surfaces. A small, heated area applies heat to transfer the ink onto the target surface. It is ideal for Flexible Packaging applications such as food bags, snack packaging, or products packaged with film. It provides high print quality and supports a wide range of data, from MFG / EXP to Barcode, QR Code, and 2D Code.

Laser Printer (Laser Marking)
Uses laser light to mark or engrave materials.
Suitable for hard materials such as metal, glass, or rigid plastic. Provides very high print quality and permanent durability, while being easy to maintain. However, it has a higher cost and is not suitable for soft materials or films. Suitable for applications requiring Permanent Marking, such as plastic, glass, and metal.

Hot Stamping
Used for printing information on flexible packaging for intermittent operation only. It uses a heated die to press onto foil, creating a print mark on the material. It is an older technology with disadvantages such as low speed, limited flexibility when changing data, and potential issues from high heat affecting the packaging. Suitable for plastic bags and packaging films.

Choosing the right Coding Technology should be based on  

Printing Material → Printing Data → Production Line Speed → Print Quality → Environment
→ Traceability Requirement

Because the right Coding system does more than simply “print the date.” It also helps ensure that information on the product is accurate, easy to read, and effectively connected to Identification & Traceability processes.

For Example, if you want to print on Flexible Packaging. The right technology is TTO which is a printing system suitable for production lines that require high print quality, speed, accuracy, and flexibility in changing printed data. It can also connect with production systems and factory data management systems.

Which Industries Are Suitable for TTO?

1. Food, Snacks & Beverages
Examples: Snacks, noodles, frozen food, coffee, instant drink powders, pouch beverages
Printing Applications: MFG, EXP, Lot, Barcode, Product Code

2. Pharmaceuticals
Examples: Tablets, sachets
Printing Applications: MFG, EXP, Lot, Barcode

3. Personal Care / Cosmetic
Examples: Shampoo, cream, sachet cosmetics
Printing Applications: MFG, EXP, Lot, Batch No.

4. Pet Food
Example: Pouch pet food
Printing Applications: MFG, EXP, Lot, Barcode
TTO is available in 3 types, depending on the flexible packaging material, durability requirements, and print quality requirements.

Wax Type
Suitable for: General packaging
Features: Low cost, low resistance to scratches and abrasion

Wax Resin Type
Suitable for: General packaging
Features: More durable than the wax type. Provides good resistance to smudges, fingerprints, and minor abrasion.
Recommended Model: B130EM

Resin Type
Suitable for: Premium-grade materials
Features: Maximum durability
(Resistant to chemicals, heat, and abrasion)
Provides excellent print quality and is suitable for industrial environments or applications requiring high durability.
Recommended Models: B130ET, B130ER