The use of coding printers and markers has increased over the years. Manufacturers used to rely on coding and printing machines to improve their accuracy and precision in identifying products. However, as industries flourished, the uses of printing and coding machines diversified, and so did their types.
Types of Coding Printers
Coding printers can serve different purposes depending upon the type of code printer you pick. All in all, you can find four types of coding and marking print technologies in the market entailing dot matrix, laser, inkjet, and thermal printers.
Dot Matrix Printers
Dot Matrix Printers are coding printers that you can use for printing on a wide range of materials, including envelopes, multipart forms, and labels. These impact printers use tiny pins or wires which strike an inked ribbon, transferring ink onto the paper to create dots on paper which combine to form characters and images.
Inkjet Printers
If you have a look at inkjet printers, they are more modern printing technology. These printers are more versatile, as they can print on various surfaces, including paper, plastic, and metal. Inkjet printers spray liquid ink onto the surface of the product for coding. Manufacturers usually use them for printing barcodes and expiration dates on food products.
Thermal Printing Technologies
You can find two types of thermal printing technologies in the market: direct thermal and thermal transfer printers. Thermal transfer printers feature a heated printhead which transfers ink from a ribbon onto the surface of the product made of paper, plastic, or fabric to add a code.
In contrast, Direct Thermal Printers use heat-sensitive paper that changes color when heated, creating a printed image. You may use them to print shipping labels and barcodes in higher volumes to cut costs.
Laser Printers
Laser printers use a laser to create a static charge on a drum, which attracts toner and transfers it onto the surface of the product. These printers are fast and can print high-quality graphics and text on various materials, including paper, plastic, and metal.
5 Ways In Which You Can Use Code Printers for Your Products
You can use coding printers for several purposes. Below you can find five ways in which you can use coding and marking printers.
- Product Identification
You can use coding printers for product identification and serialization at the most basic level. You can print barcodes or QR codes, which you can scan to retrieve important product information. This can help manufacturers track inventory levels, monitor production processes and verify product authentication.
- Product Tracking & Traceability
You can print unique codes, such as serial numbers, onto each product using code printers to make them traceable throughout their entire lifecycle, from production to distribution to the end consumer. This is especially critical for products with strict regulatory requirements, such as food and pharmaceutical products.
- Security & Anti-Counterfeiting
You can print unique codes or security features onto your products to prevent counterfeiting and ensure that your products are authentic. For instance, code printers can print invisible ink or UV codes onto products, which one can only detect with a special UV light. This can let you track your products and stop counterfeiters from copying.
- Packaging & Labeling
You can use coding printers for labeling and packaging. Coding printers can directly print product information, such as ingredients, nutritional values, and expiration dates, onto the packaging or label. In this way, it saves your time and money and ensures your product’s information is up-to-date.
- Product’s Branding
You can use code printers for strengthening your brand’s identity and increase brand recognition among consumers. You can do so by using a coding printer to print your logo, brand name, or promotional messages on your products. Some brands print QR codes which the customers can scan with their phone’s camera to get useful information about the product.
What to Consider When Picking a Coding or Marking Printer?
Even though you can use a coding printer for multiple purposes, you can only maximize its use if you know what to consider when picking a coding or marking printer.
Printing Technology
You must decide which printing technology will meet your specific application. There are multiple printing technologies that you may use in code printing, including thermal transfer, direct thermal, inkjet, and laser. All these printing technologies have their pros and cons which you must evaluate.
Printing Speed and Throughput
Depending on your production requirements, the speed and throughput of the code printing machine may be critical factors. Look for a machine that can produce codes quickly without compromising quality.
Substrate Compatibility
Code printers can print on a wide variety of substrates, including plastic, metal, paper, and glass. The porousness of certain materials may impact the adhesive quality of the coding printer’s ink. Ensure the selected machine is compatible with the substrate you print on.
Conclusion
To conclude, coding printers have surpassed their purpose of product identification with innovation in the printing industry. You can now use them for multiple other purposes, such as tracking, labeling, packaging, and even branding. However, you must be mindful of the abovementioned aspects to pick the right coding printer.
