Inkjet coding is a widely used marking method on production lines. However, one of the biggest expenses for businesses is the cost of ink. Optimizing ink consumption and reducing unnecessary expenditures leads to huge savings in the long run. In this article, we will examine effective ways to reduce inkjet coding ink costs.
1. Choosing the Right Ink
The type of ink used for coding machines directly affects costs. Cheap and poor quality inks can cause the machine to require more frequent maintenance, resulting in additional costs. It is therefore important to choose the right ink, taking into account the following factors:
- Use ink in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations for your machine.
- Choose fast-drying and low-consumption inks.
- Reduce costs and contribute to sustainability by choosing inks that are environmentally friendly and low in solvents.
2. Optimizing Ink Consumption
Optimizing ink consumption is one of the most effective ways to reduce costs. Here are some tips:
- Adjust Print Settings: Unnecessary ink waste can be avoided by adjusting font size and dot density.
- Avoid Unnecessary Printing: You can reduce ink waste by eliminating unused or unnecessary coding.
- Use of Low Viscosity Inks: Low viscosity inks consume less and maintain print quality.
3. Regular Machine Maintenance
Regular maintenance of coding machines is a factor that directly affects ink consumption. Neglected maintenance can lead to wasted ink. You can save money by taking the following measures:
- Cleaning the Nozzles: If the ink nozzles are not cleaned regularly, blockages will occur, resulting in more ink consumption.
- Filter Replacement: Ink filters can become dirty over time, so they should be replaced periodically.
- Using the Auto Cleaning Feature: Activate the automatic cleaning function available on most modern inkjet coding machines.
4. The Choice Between Using Original and Refill Ink
To reduce costs, care should be taken whether to use original ink or refill ink.
- Original Ink: Offers a manufacturer’s guarantee and is fully compatible with the machine, but at a high cost.
- Refill Ink: It may be more affordable, but in some cases it can negatively affect print quality and machine performance.
Therefore, high quality refill inks that do not damage your machine should be preferred.
5. Monitoring and Reporting Ink Consumption
Monitoring and reporting ink consumption is important to identify unnecessary expenditure.
- IoT Supported Systems: You can monitor ink consumption instantly with smart tracking systems.
- Automatic Reporting: Analyze ink usage by generating weekly or monthly consumption reports.
- Employee Training: You can avoid unnecessary ink consumption by training your operators to use coding machines correctly.
6. Evaluating Alternative Coding Methods
In some sectors, more economical solutions may be preferred over inkjet coding. For example:
- Laser Marking: An option that completely eliminates ink consumption, but at a high initial cost.
- Thermal Transfer Coding: Some types of packaging can be printed using heat instead of ink.
Conclusion
Taking steps to reduce inkjet coding ink costs, such as choosing the right ink, optimizing print settings, regular machine maintenance and consumption monitoring, can lead to big savings. In addition, evaluating alternative coding methods can also help reduce costs in the long run.
