Box Printing Solutions for Food, Chemical & Cosmetic Packaging

Application
Printing best-by dates, expiration dates, lot numbers, batch codes, and shipping information on corrugated cardboard boxes, shrink film, wrapping paper, and other secondary packaging materials.

Advantages
Easy to integrate into case sealers, conveyors, and packaging lines without extensive modifications. Modern inkjet printing and case coding systems allow flexible character spacing, font selection, print positioning, and print inspection integration, simplifying setup while maintaining consistent code quality across changing package sizes.

Date code printing is a critical manufacturing process that involves printing essential and important product information directly onto packaging materials—particularly information related to when the product was manufactured, packaged, the date by which it should be used or sold to end consumers. This practice is most commonly and frequently associated with the food and beverage industries, where freshness and safety are paramount concerns, but it's also present in the chemical and cosmetics industries, as well as pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors.

Date printing is critically important as it conveys essential, and often legally required product-related information vital for consumer safety and manufacturer traceability. For example, date coding printed on perishable goods and food products helps consumers accurately determine the freshness, quality, and safety of the product they're purchasing, while the batch number or lot number, which is also part of date coding, helps manufacturers identify defective product batches and lots in the event of quality issues, contamination concerns, or product recalls.

It's also important to note and understand that coding and marking transcends practical reasons alone; it's also mandated by many governing bodies that regulate specific industries, particularly when it comes to perishable goods.

Meeting carton marking, case coding, and packaging labeling requirements is essential for maintaining compliance with local and international regulations while ensuring products remain fully traceable throughout distribution.

Most challenges in date and serial code printing on cardboard boxes are associated with the properties of cardboard as a printing substrate. Cardboard surfaces are uneven, porous, and textured, which affects print quality. Additionally, the porous surface means the cardboard absorbs ink faster than other materials or smooth surfaces like plastic, glass, or metal.

This rapid ink absorption can potentially lead to various printing issues, problems, and quality concerns, such as blurred text, smudged prints, feathered edges, or illegible characters, especially if the ink doesn't dry quickly enough. Another significant issue and challenge is the high-speed production lines and rapid manufacturing environments in which boxes are often printed, and packaged together in quick succession.

Fortunately, KEYENCE's advanced printing technology, including the MK-G Series and the CC-1000 Series, are engineered to overcome these challenges. By precisely ejecting fast-drying ink droplets onto corrugated surfaces without making physical contact, these systems produce clear and durable codes onto the substrate.

These systems are designed to meet the demands of high-speed production environments. The MK-G Series supports line speeds up to 1,000 m/min for primary packaging applications, while the CC-1000 Series delivers high-resolution case coding at speeds up to 100 m/min, making it ideal for corrugated secondary packaging without sacrificing print quality.

For many products, regulations dictate the information printed on the packaging. This includes ingredients, nutritional information, instructions, expiration dates, and even safety warnings.

For secondary packaging, box coding systems print batch numbers, lot codes, serial numbers, 2D codes, and shipping information onto corrugated cases to improve traceability, inventory control, and supply chain visibility.

Tracking and traceability are also important considerations, with inkjet printers and case coders used to print batch codes, barcodes, and other identifying information directly onto boxes. These printed codes enable more efficient, accurate, and reliable digital tracking throughout the entire supply chain network, as well as more efficient inventory management, and distribution logistics. Other codes might include product authentication verification details, anti-counterfeiting measures, and supply chain transparency information that can further increase the transparency of the overall supply chain.

Whether you're printing date codes on primary packaging or applying high-resolution codes to corrugated cases, selecting the right box printer can improve product traceability, reduce downtime, and simplify regulatory compliance. The MK-G Series provides industry-leading performance for high-speed primary packaging, while the CC-1000 Series Smart Multi-Sensing Unit automatically detects production line changes and adjusts print positioning in real time, ensuring consistent prints and reducing operator intervention.