Benefits of Direct Case Coding in Comparison to Labeling
Direct case coding is a popular choice in many industries due to its numerous benefits. In this blog post, we will delve into the advantages of direct case coding and how the integration of inkjet printing can enhance your packaging line.
Direct package printing: what is inkjet printing?
The process of inkjet printing is the act of projecting ink droplets onto a surface without physical contact, following a specific pattern. This technology is versatile, as it enables printing on various surfaces, such as porous, non-porous, smooth, textured, curved, concave, and more.
Inkjet printing has numerous advantages over other technologies. Its non-contact feature ensures that only ink comes into contact with the product or packaging, preserving the product’s integrity and stability. Inkjet printing is also capable of high-speed and intermittent production, making production lines efficient and precise.
Benefits of Direct Case Coding in Comparison to Labeling:
- Direct case coding is a cost-efficient solution as it eliminates the need for expensive pre-printed or print and apply labels and reduces total cost of ownership, thus lowering operational expenses.
- Flexibility: Direct case coding offers greater flexibility in terms of customization. You can easily change the information on the case without the need to update or replace labels. This is particularly beneficial when dealing with variable data, such as batch numbers, expiration dates, or shipping details.
- Time Savings: By directly coding cases, you eliminate the time-consuming process of applying labels individually. Ink jet systems run at faster speeds than labeling equipment. For example, Squid Ink’s CoPilot Max 512i Turbo runs up to 480 feet per minute! This can significantly speed up the packaging process and improve overall productivity.
- Limited Downtime: In general, label machines go through more downtime compared to inkjet printers. This is because inkjet printers use replaceable ink cartridges that can be easily swapped without any interruption in the printing process. Squid Ink’s CoPilot Max Turbo is designed with a large 500ml snap-in cartridge, enabling users to quickly and effortlessly replace ink cartridges on the fly, without stopping the production line. With its ample ink capacity, user-friendly touchscreen interface, and swift cartridge replacement system, users can keep their production lines up and running, reducing downtime and maximizing their return on investment.
- Impact on the Environment: Labeling systems incur more waste than ink jet printing systems includes the label backing, label core, ribbon backing and ribbon core. The only waste from ink jet systems is the ink cartridge, which can typically be recycled.
- Enhanced Durability: Direct coding methods like inkjet printing or laser marking can provide more durable and resistant marks compared to labels. This is especially important in industries with challenging environments, where labels may get damaged, detached, or removed.
- Existing Production Line Integration: Seamless integration of direct case coding systems with production lines enables efficient and automated marking processes. Coding machines and printers can be mounted to other packaging machinery, such as Eastey case tapers or AFM shrink sleeve equipment, ensuring consistent coding throughout the manufacturing or packaging process.
As you can see, direct case coding offers flexibility, cost-effectiveness, real-time updates, and durability. The choice between direct case coding and a different labeling option depends on factors such as the variability of information, labeling requirements, cost considerations, and the specific industry or application.
