Food packaging plays a critical role in product safety and consumer information. Important details such as expiration date, batch number and content information of the products need to be accurately and permanently printed on the packaging. At this point, inkjet coding technology stands out as a fast, reliable and cost-effective solution in the food industry.
This article discusses the use of inkjet coding in food packaging, its advantages, working principle and best practice methods.
1. What is Inkjet Coding?
Inkjet coding is a technology for printing date codes, barcodes, QR codes, lot numbers and other information on packaging using inkjet printing. This method is preferred in many sectors for its flexibility, speed and precision as it provides contact-free printing.
2. Inkjet Coding Technology in Food Packaging
There are two main technologies used for inkjet coding in the food industry:
Continuous Inkjet (CIJ – Continuous Inkjet):
Used in production lines requiring high speed.
Can print on different surfaces (plastic, metal, glass, cardboard, etc.).
It can work with water-based and food-compatible inks.
Thermal Inkjet (TIJ – Thermal Inkjet):
Offers higher print resolution.
Small and compact, it is suitable for mobile use.
Low maintenance as it works with a cartridge-based system.
3. Uses of Inkjet Coding in Food Packaging
Inkjet coding is widely used in various parts of food packaging:
Plastic packaging: Pet bottles, vacuum packs, stretch film wraps
Paper and cardboard packaging: Egg cartons, chocolate boxes, flour packages
Metal packaging: Tin cans, aluminum foil
Glass bottles Juice, milk and fermented beverage packaging
4. Advantages of Inkjet Coding
The main advantages of inkjet coding technology in the food industry are as follows:
a) High Print Speed
Inkjet coding systems that adapt to fast production lines can print thousands of products per minute.
b) Contactless and Precision Printing
Since it works without touching the packaging material, it does not damage the surface of the products.
c) Flexibility and Versatility
The ability to work on different surfaces is a great advantage for food manufacturers.
d) Low Operating Costs
It uses a small amount of ink for the printing process and saves costs in the long run.
e) Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance
Inkjet inks used in the food industry are produced in accordance with FDA and European Union food safety regulations.
5. Things to Consider When Inkjet Coding
The following factors should be considered when inkjet coding in food packaging:
Ink Selection: Food-compatible inks should be preferred for prints that may come into contact with food.
Print Quality: Criteria such as readability, durability and water/oil resistance must be met.
Ambient Conditions: Temperature, humidity and surface properties can affect the quality of encoding.
Compliance with Legal Legislation: Regulations varying according to countries should be taken into consideration.
6. Inkjet Coding and Digitalization
In recent years, digital coding technologies have evolved and integrated with blockchain and IoT-based tracking systems in the food industry. Thanks to QR codes and data matrix codes, consumers can see the source and ingredient information of products directly from their phones.
In the food industry, inkjet coding is an indispensable technology to ensure accurate labeling of products, consumer safety and compliance with legal requirements. With ever-evolving coding solutions, manufacturers can gain a competitive advantage by offering fast, economical and reliable printing solutions.
By using inkjet coding systems in food packaging, you can increase your brand reliability and maximize your operational efficiency.
