Inkjet Coding & Printing for Snack Manufacturing

Snack lines place unique demands on coding equipment. Pouches and other packaging move quickly through production. Their surfaces vary from porous to non-porous, and any available space around sealing and filling equipment can be limited. Continuous inkjet (CIJ) printers for snacks production address these conditions through non-contact printing that applies codes without touching the package surface. This approach supports consistent results even when packaging moves at high speed or presents minor variations in position.

Inkjet systems also adapt well to the mix of materials found in snack operations. Films, bags, cartons, cans, and formed packages can all be coded in-line using the same core technology. These characteristics make industrial coding for snacks easier to integrate into existing production layouts without being disruptive to established workflows.

The MK-G Series offers fast-drying ink for non-contact printing on:

• Jars
• Tins
• Cans
• Cartons
• Bags
• Pouches

Traceability plays a central role in snack manufacturing. This is particularly true when production volumes are high and distribution networks are wide. Snack packaging date coding and lot identification allow manufacturers to track products through production, storage, and shipment.

Inline inkjet coding supports this process by updating variable information directly at the point of packaging. Date and lot data can change automatically as production progresses, reducing reliance on pre-printed materials and lowering the risk of mismatched information. For coding solutions for snack manufacturers, this capability supports both operational control and downstream visibility without adding steps to the line.

Snack packaging moves through a gauntlet of traceable steps before reaching retailers. Throughout that lifecycle, all the necessary printed information must remain readable by both humans and machines. Inkjet coding supports this requirement by producing marks that withstand routine exposure to moisture/temperature variation, and that can handle the stresses that are common in snack distribution.

Modern inkjet systems, like the MK-G Series from KEYENCE, incorporate monitoring functions that help maintain print quality over extended runs and by reducing variation caused by ink condition or startup behavior, these systems support reliable output across shifts and product changes.

Throughput has to remain a primary consideration when snack producers evaluate production equipment. Typically, they are dealing with coding systems that interrupt flow, require frequent intervention, or struggle during long runs, which can quickly become bottlenecks. Inkjet printers for snacks production support throughput by operating continuously alongside filling and sealing equipment, and because codes are applied without contact and without mechanical application steps, these inkjet systems avoid many of the stoppages associated with alternative marking methods. Automated cleaning and diagnostic functions also further reduce unplanned downtime, which allows operators to focus on line performance rather than printer maintenance.

Let us help you optimize your snack production line—contact us for a consultation today.