Four printing technologies to best suit your needs
of coding on flexible films
YOUR CHALLENGES: Coding on flexible films is the most common type of packaging printing, with a 40% share of the global market. In the past, mechanical approaches to printing on flexible films were used, but these are expensive and not very versatile. Today, more cost-efficient digital methods are available that improve the traceability of products.
OUR OFFER: Markem-Imaje provides four digital options for coding on flexible film—thermal transfer, continuous inkjet, thermal inkjet, and laser—each of which provides unique sets of advantages, ensuring you can choose the option that best suits your coding needs.
Thermal transfer printers, developed specifically for flexible materials, offer a better print quality than continuous inkjet and thermal inkjet printing on a wide range of film types. Able to code large print areas, there is no drying time required and it offers versatility in print design.
Continuous inkjet printers are the most versatile, and can be used on any material, and are high speed. With low capital costs and easy mechanical integration, these printers can be used on finished or pre-filled products.
Thermal inkjet printers offer adjustable high-resolution printing from 1 to 600 dpi, low maintenance costs, and ease of use, but are less cost-efficient at high volumes.
Finally, laser coders offer the advantages of high speed and high production printing, indelible print, and low maintenance and running costs. However, they require laser-responsive material to print on.
How to code flexible film efficiently?
Flexible film: a vital role in distribution chains
Flexible film is becoming the packaging material of choice for food manufacturers and other companies in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. It is inexpensive, efficient to work with, and available in a wide range of materials with diverse properties.
When it comes to coding flexible films, companies are turning away from mechanical technologies, like hot stamping and rotary coding, in favor of four digital options which improve traceability and uptime: thermal transfer, continuous inkjet, thermal inkjet and laser.
The challenge for manufacturers is to find the best technology for their application.
See what our customers say about our flexible film coding solutions
