Comparison with other printing methods (Advantages)

Continuous Inkjet Printing offers many advantages when compared to other traditional marking methods.

Comparison to stamping

Stamp Continuous inkjet printer
Cost
  • Manual task, which requires extra personnel costs
  • Printing can be performed while products are moving, which will minimize manpower
Productivity
  • Small spots may occur during stamping and quick operation cannot be performed
  • Quick-drying ink enables printing on fast-moving lines
Quality
  • Print quality is varied depending on different operators, resulting in missing or thinned print
  • Human error is posssible when changing printing plates
  • Non-contact printing ensures stable print quality
  • Can easily be integrated to vision inspection systems
Management
  • The amount of ink used must be appropriately adjusted to prevent printing errors
  • Easy maintenance with automatic cleaning function

Comparison to hot foil printers

Hot foil printer Continuous inkjet printer
Cost
  • Running costs for ink ribbons and printing plate replacement
  • Lower running cost since ink ribbons are not needed
Productivity
  • Changing printing plates takes time to warm up and cool down
  • No need for process changeover
Quality
  • Printing flaws may occur from wear of printing plates or contact pressure fluctuations
  • Non-contact printing ensures stable print quality
Management
  • Temperature and contact pressure must be managed appropriately
  • Easy maintenance with automatic cleaning function

Comparison to labelers

Labeler Continuous inkjet printer
Cost
  • Running costs of labels itself
  • No need for labels so direct printing enables lower running costs
Productivity
  • Downtime may occurs from jamming
  • Better production efficiency since there is no need for labeling process
Quality
  • Labels can possibly be mixed up and peeled off
  • Non-contact printing ensures stable print quality
Management
  • Label inventory management is a hassle as constant stock of labels must be kept
  • There is no need to manage stock of labels due to direct printing on products

Comparison to punching machines

Punching machine Continuous inkjet printer
Cost
  • Manual task, which requires extra personnel costs
  • No personnel costs - printing is done while products are moving
Productivity
  • Positioning and tooling changes are needed for each product type
  • Better production efficiency - No need for tool changes
Quality
  • Marking flaws may occur from contact pressure fluctuations
  • Non-contact printing ensures stable print quality
Management
  • Extra effort is required to adjust contact pressure and manage printing plates
  • No need to suspend production for process changeover

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