If you are looking for a new printer, you may be wondering which type of inkjet technology is best for your needs. Continuous inkjet printers and thermal inkjet printers both have their pros and cons, so it can be tough to decide which one is right for you. In this blog post, we will compare and contrast these two types of inkjet printers to help you make the best decision for your business!
First, let’s see how these printers work.
How They Work
Ink is moved by high-circulating pumps through printing heads. These printing heads create continuous ink droplets.
Within this stream, an electrical charge is generated on each drop forming the printed text. A magnetic field in a printed plate is then used to deflect this charge to its location on a substrate.
Most drops are free of charge and are not deducted. Those come out of a printer’s paper and are redirected back into the supply in a reusable cartridge. The TJ system is made up of hundreds of small nozzles that each contain heat elements.
Inkjet Printing Basics: CIJ vs. TIJ
Always make a wise choice, mainly about the future of the business. Even though a business owner can understand many aspects of its operations, focusing more on coding solutions is just as beneficial.
You should have printing installed on your production line, and you want to be sure you have it done correctly, promptly. Here’s a little inkjet print with basic info about Continuous I/J versus Thermal I/J inkjet for better education about these two technologies.
Ink Cartridge
CIJ printing is an attractive feature because the cost is reduced by recapturing ink. The ink forms a cost component for CIJ printing.
Solvents evaporate quickly, while base solutions need replenishment to retain the remaining ink for quality and viscosity. This increase in ink costs increases over time. The enclosed thermal ink cartridge prevents vaporization. No more fluid needs to be used.
In the process of changing printers, the cartridge is the same printhead as it is in the printer. The process can then easily be performed using the same cartridge orby changing the ink for printing.
This helps save the cost of producing the industrial printer outputs. In the case of the Inkjet printer, the flush must take place. This will take time.
Basic Hardware
Based solely on hardware differences, it can be easily differentiated between CIJ and TIJ printers. The printer primarily possesses large differences from other types.
CIJ printers can be about six feet tall. TIJ printers may only reach about five or seven pounds and have printer heads installed directly into ink cartridges.
Print Speed
CIJ printers print much faster and more easily compared to TIJ printers. TIJ printers may have recently been upgraded to meet many inkjet coding needs and can compete. TIJ printers can print at up to 100m per minute.
The first CIJ printers left the thermal inkjet printing system a mess. Technology came and went. Compared to the faster speed of thermal equipment, thermal equipment is much better.
You need the reassurance of the best for industrial inkjet printing. For example, production lines with a capacity of 100 meters per minute do not require a printer with a capacity of 200 meters per minute.
Regular Maintenance
TIJ printers win when comparing these two devices. These machines require absolutely zero servicing or minimal cleaning. It should be possible to solve almost all problems when switching to an ink cartridge.
This is not the case with CIJ printers. The CIJ print machine is complex and requires frequent cleaning and maintenance from skilled professionals. In the long run, it increases your costs and production downtime.
Space on the Production Line
TIJ systems take up much less storage space than alternative systems. The compact folding printer also reduces the line length even more. Engineers succeeded in integrating the advanced functionality of the compact device. The compact size makes it easy to transport.
Reliability
The maintenance schedule means the system may be out of service for longer than TIJ’s. It is also very easy to use for CIJ printers, as it takes about a minute to get started.
TIJ printers take seconds, and the user just turns them on and off. The goal of incorporating compact printers was to create the best printer available today.
Our main aim has always been to simplify the use and automation of most functions and optimize the availability by decreasing the chance of human errors. These printers are built with high-quality parts. For additional comfort, there is a 24-month warranty.
Image Quality and Print Resolution
In a supply chain where coding helps track a business’s production process, coding is crucial for image quality. CIJ’s faster processing speeds compromise the photographic quality.
On the other hand, thermal printers produce images with 600dpi that will guarantee the accuracy of barcodes. If a digit character in expiration codes meets the minimum requirements for acceptable quality, CIJ offers an acceptable option.
However, TIJ’s superior image quality allows greater printing potential.
Cost of Operation
TIJ is an economical solution. The design is service-free. A low maintenance cost will also result in the real cost per print.
Exceptions apply to very large printed volumes if necessary. The TIJ inkjet cartridge can manage up to 500 pages without needing to be changed. CIJ may offer an attractive solution to manufacturers that have fewer than 500-1000 prints per month.
In this way, ay you should also consider product availability in the calculation of the cost difference between the CIJ and the more stable TIJ systems in the market.
Associated Costs
In comparison to the prices for inkjet coding technologies, TIJ has been deemed the best option for most manufacturers. It’s cheaper and has less maintenance than other types.
Nevertheless, CIJ printing systems and equipment require capital expenditure as well as deal with various hidden costs, including service problems that require a service agreement and maintenance calls, which ultimately cost more money than their lifetime.
Add the variables, and you get the CIJ print costs to determine which TIJ printer will cost less money. It is possible to determine the environmental impact of each printer, but new calculation tools are being used in this area.
In short, other factors should be taken into consideration as the opportunity costs of using CIJ print systems that are less flexible than thermal printing.
Ease of Use
CIJ printers are intricate machines that contain many components. They require training for installation as well as technicians for installation.
The TIJ printing systems are a much simpler, modular machine with no maintenance requirements. Compact printers add convenience and efficiency. It has simple-to-understand controls that allow for quick installation and quick start operation of the system in just a few minutes.
The key thing to remember is the ease with which the printer can be used by the employee in the office. Because of the complexity of CIJ printing devices, you must train your workforce on CIJ printers to operate and work on them CIJ printers.
Environmentally Friendly
TIJ printers have increased dramatically, but the consumption is around 65% lower than CIJ printing options. These machines also use minimal solvents, allowing for safer workplace environments.
Compared to CIJ, printer solvents are mainly consumed. The solvent evaporates in the atmosphere during operation and releases approximately 4-6 ml of solvent in the environment each day.
In terms of eco-efficiency, TIJ systems outperform all CIJ systems. The CIJ system uses solvent ink is an environmental danger.
Solvent inks contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can increase air pollution and health problems for workers.
Mostly Asked Questions
Tell me the difference between CIJ printers and TIJ printers?
Industry-wide coding is largely required for the production and packaging of countless industries. Milk farmers are often required to provide traceable lot numbers, expiring dates, bar codes, and other information to states.
Other industries, such as pharmaceuticals and packaging products, also face similar requirements from the government or suppliers’ partners. To satisfy these coding and marking requirements, companies need reliable coding equipment to maintain production capacity and meet potentially challenging work environments.
Even though the names and acronyms of the two printer models seem similar, they often have different hardware, operating systems, and prices.
Tell me the advantage of TIJ printing over CIJ printing?
Continuous inkjet technology CIJ and thermal inkjet technology TIJ are the preferred digital solutions in the printing industry. The CIJ printing method is commonly used to print bar codes, expiry dates, serialization, and other marks. In recent years the commercial printing industry saw TIJ systems as an efficient, reliable option both for porous and nonpermeable substrates.
TIJ vs CIJ Printer Conclusion
So, which one should you choose?
Continuous inkjet printers are better for high-volume printing, while thermal inkjet printers are more affordable and portable. Also, CIJ is great for printing on curved surfaces and small character printing.
If you need a printer that can handle large volumes of prints quickly and efficiently, a CIJ printer is your best bet. However, if you are on a budget or need a printer that is easy to take with you on the go, a TIJ printer is the way to go. Plus, TIJ printers require no regular maintenance.
The bottom line? It all depends on your business needs. If you are not sure which one to select, contact us for a more expert and more specific discussion about your requirements. We are more than happy to help you.
FAQs
What is the fundamental difference in how CIJ and TIJ printers create an image?
The fundamental difference is their ink delivery method. A Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) printer creates a continuous stream of electrically charged ink droplets that are deflected by a magnetic field to form the image. A Thermal Inkjet (TIJ) printer uses hundreds of tiny nozzles that contain heating elements to propel ink droplets onto the surface.
In terms of maintenance and reliability, which printer is the better choice?
In this comparison, the Thermal Inkjet (TIJ) printer is the clear winner. The guide states that TIJ machines require almost zero servicing. This is because the printhead is integrated into the ink cartridge, so most problems can be solved by simply switching it out. In contrast, CIJ printers are complex and require frequent maintenance by skilled technicians.
Which technology is more environmentally friendly and why?
The Thermal Inkjet (TIJ) system is significantly more environmentally friendly. It uses enclosed ink cartridges that prevent evaporation and use minimal solvents. A Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) system, on the other hand, constantly evaporates solvents into the atmosphere during operation, and its solvent-based inks often contain volatile organic compounds.
How does a CIJ printer's ink system differ from a TIJ printer's cartridge?
A CIJ printer has an open system that recaptures unused ink, but this requires the constant addition of solvents to maintain the ink’s viscosity, which increases costs over time. A TIJ printer uses a simple, enclosed ink cartridge where the printhead is built in. This design prevents vaporization and means no extra fluids are needed.
If I need the absolute best print resolution for barcodes, which technology should I choose?
For the best image quality and highest resolution, a Thermal Inkjet (TIJ) printer is the superior option. The guide notes that TIJ printers can produce images with a resolution of 600 DPI, which guarantees the accuracy of barcodes. The faster processing speeds of CIJ printers can sometimes compromise their photographic quality.
In what scenario would a CIJ printer be more cost-effective than a TIJ printer?
While a TIJ is generally more economical, the guide suggests that a CIJ printer may be a more attractive solution for manufacturers with very high print volumes, specifically those producing more than 500,000 to 1,000,000 prints per month.
Why is a TIJ printer generally easier for a business to set up and operate?
A TIJ printer is easier to use because it is a much simpler, modular machine with no maintenance requirements and simple-to-understand controls. A CIJ printer is an intricate machine with many components that require specialized training and technicians for proper installation and operation.
How do these two printer types compare in terms of physical size and space requirements?
There is a significant difference in their physical size. The guide states that CIJ printers are large machines that can be about six feet tall. TIJ printers are far more compact, with some models weighing only five to seven pounds, which takes up much less space on a production line.
