A guide to continuous ink jet printers for product coding

From expiry dates on food packaging to batch codes on pharmaceuticals, precise and reliable printing is non-negotiable. Among the various available technologies, continuous ink jet printers (CIJ printers) continue to be one of the most widely used solutions across sectors including food, beverage, cosmetics, and industrial manufacturing.

In this guide, we’ll explore how continuous ink jet printers work, what makes them so effective for product coding, and what to consider when selecting the right solution for your production line.

What are continuous ink jet printers?

Continuous ink jet printers are high-speed, non-contact printers that use a continuous stream of ink droplets to mark products with variable data. This could include best-before dates, barcodes, lot numbers, logos, or regulatory information.

Unlike other methods, CIJ technology continuously recycles unused ink droplets, which allows it to operate seamlessly over extended production runs. This makes it ideal for 24/7 industrial environments where uptime, speed, and reliability are critical.

How continuous ink jet printing works

The process behind CIJ is both sophisticated and efficient:

Ink is pumped at high pressure through a tiny nozzle
A vibrating crystal breaks the ink stream into a steady flow of droplets
Charged droplets are directed onto the product surface using an electrostatic field
Any unused droplets are recycled back into the system

This non-contact process allows printing on uneven, curved, or sensitive surfaces without damaging the product or packaging.

Why choose continuous ink jet printers for product coding?

Continuous ink jet printers offer a range of benefits that make them the go-to choice for many production environments:

High-speed performance – Handles rapid production lines with ease
Versatile printing – Compatible with a wide range of materials including plastic, metal, glass, film, and cardboard
Low operational costs – Efficient ink usage and minimal consumables
Long-lasting marks – Resistant to water, smudging, and abrasion
Minimal downtime – Many models feature automated cleaning and robust self-maintenance functions

Applications in key industries

CIJ printers are widely used in:

Food & Beverage

Marking expiry dates, batch numbers, and traceability data on bottles, cans, pouches, and more.

Pharmaceutical & Healthcare

Printing serialisation, compliance codes, and variable data on blister packs, cartons, and vials.

Cosmetics & Personal Care

Adding production codes, branding details, or ingredient tracking on primary and secondary packaging.

Industrial & Manufacturing

Durable part identification, wiring codes, or production traceability on metal, rubber, or composite parts.

Choosing the right CIJ printer for your operation

When evaluating which continuous ink jet printer to invest in, consider the following:

What materials are you printing on? Some inks adhere better to specific substrates
What is your production speed? Choose a printer that matches or exceeds your line speed
What are your environmental conditions? Harsh settings may require sealed printheads or specialised inks
Do you need special ink types? Such as pigmented, UV-reactive, or food-grade inks?

As experienced printing partners and authorised channel partners of Markem-Imaje, we’re here to help guide your selection process. We supply, install, and support the full range of Markem-Imaje CIJ printers, including the 9330, 9410, 9450, and 9750 series - each tailored for different performance needs and operational environments.

Reliability and Maintenance

Today’s continuous ink jet printers are engineered for durability and ease of use:

Automatic cleaning systems help maintain print quality and reduce manual intervention
Smart diagnostics and alerts provide predictive maintenance to avoid unplanned downtime
Modular design enables fast servicing and component replacement, minimising disruption

Working with a trusted partner ensures not just reliable equipment, but responsive support when you need it.

CIJ vs. Other Coding Technologies

While CIJ is one of the most versatile printing technologies, there are alternatives worth understanding:

Thermal Ink Jet (TIJ) is ideal for high-resolution printing on porous surfaces like cardboard. However, it uses disposable cartridges, which can drive up consumable costs in high-throughput applications
Laser coding delivers permanent, high-contrast markings without the use of ink, making it a great eco-friendly solution. That said, laser systems come with a higher initial investment and may not suit all packaging materials - especially reflective or heat-sensitive ones
Thermal Transfer Overprinting (TTO) is commonly used for flexible packaging films and provides sharp, high-quality prints. However, it’s a contact-based method, generally slower, and less suitable for high-speed lines compared to CIJ

In contrast, continuous ink jet printers offer a unique balance of speed, flexibility, and cost-efficiency, making them the preferred choice for a wide range of coding applications.

Future Trends in CIJ Technology

The next generation of CIJ technology is being shaped by:

Smart connectivity – IoT-enabled printers that support remote monitoring, analytics, and line integration
Sustainable solutions – Development of eco-friendly inks with lower volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions
User-friendly interfaces – Touchscreen controls, icon-based navigation, and simplified maintenance

As manufacturing continues to digitise, continuous ink jet printers are evolving to keep pace with Industry 4.0 demands.

Summary

For manufacturers looking for a fast, flexible, and reliable solution to product marking, continuous ink jet printers remain the gold standard. Whether you're printing expiry dates on beverages, lot numbers on pharmaceuticals, or branding on cosmetic packaging, CIJ technology delivers unmatched versatility and uptime.

As trusted industrial printing experts and proud Markem-Imaje channel partners, we are ready to help you find the right CIJ solution for your business. We offer end-to-end support for the Markem-Imaje 9330, 9410, 9450, and 9750 series - including supply, installation, training, and ongoing technical service.

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