Food Packaging: Choosing the Right Food Packaging Printer

Food Packaging Printers You Can Use

The food industries need to inscribe codes on food packages to aid identification and traceability. However, there are a plethora of marking processes you can use. Therefore, there are a wide number of food packaging printers you can use.

Before going through how food packaging works and how to use a food packaging printer, why not know about common food packaging printers that promise a quality marking session. Below are a few food packaging printers that will make marking easy and seamless.

The food packaging industry is a unique industry with an emphasis on safety. This means there must be a proper identification and traceability module on food products. This module is achieved by marking food packaging possible by using a food packaging printer. However, there are a lot of things to look at in food packaging and marking.

This article will introduce food packaging marking. More importantly, it will discuss food packaging printing and what you should consider when choosing a food packaging printer. Are you looking for the right food packaging printer? Check our recommended machines above. Do you want to know what to look out for in a food packaging printer? Go through this article.

What is Food Packaging Marking?

Food packaging marking is a form of food labeling, a process used in communicating to a consumer about the content of a container on its packages. For example, it contains food nutrition information such as micro and macronutrients present to enlighten their customers.

Food packaging not only serves as a means of communicating to consumers. At some point during transportation, it serves as a means of identification and traceability. Also, when properly done, it is an efficient marketing scheme.

Importance Of Food Packaging Marking

Food packaging marking is an important process in the food packaging industry. Below are a few reasons why it is important:

· Safety and Awareness

Food packaging marking helps to assure consumers of the safety of food products. For example, in the pharmaceutical and food industries, food packaging marking displays various safety instructions and warnings.

· Information

Food packaging marking can convey necessary information from the manufacturers to the customers. This information includes the nature as well as the expiration dates of medicines and packaged food products.

· Identification And Advertisement

Manufacturers generally expend a great deal of time and resources in building their brand and reputation. To maintain or improve their product visibility, food manufacturers can use food packaging marking as an advertisement scheme.

· Inventory

Markings like barcodes and QR codes on products also monitor the food product with high shelf life after manufacturing.

Types Of Food Product Packaging

While marking processes can be carried out on all packaging types, the significant difference in the type of food product packaging would determine the type of food packaging printer you use. Food product packaging can be divided into three categories:

· Primary Packaging

The primary packaging is the first layer of protection for any product that is always in direct contact. Information marked on primary packing includes product name, contents, bar codes, and QR codes for inventory and identification purposes. However, care must be taken in marking the primary packaging due to food product integrity.

· Secondary Packaging

This type of packaging is used to group sets of primary packaging together. Examples include cartons and boxes. Information marked on secondary packaging includes Barcodes, QR codes, expiry dates, batch numbers, etc. There is a lesser restriction on the types of food packaging printer you can use with secondary packaging.

· Tertiary Packaging

Tertiary packaging is utilized for bulk handling of multiple secondary packaging. Examples include pallets. There is not much food packaging marking needed here. When needed, they are more for identification.

The examples under the categories named above are flexible, and classification depends on the context of use. It is also important to note that the specific application of a suitable food packaging printer depends on the type of packaging material used.

Food Packaging Marking Processes

There are many processes you can use for food packaging marking. The right food packaging printer depends on the types of packaging you are marking. Below is an explanation of the different types of food packaging printers and processes you can use.

Inkjet Marking

Inkjet marking or inkjet printing is the most common type of food packaging marking used industrially by food-producing companies. It is a computer-controlled process that involves creating markings on materials by projecting droplets of ink onto them using an inkjet printer.

There are many types of inkjet printers you can use. For example, there is thermal inkjet printers ideal for batch coding in food industries. Also, there are many types of ink you can use with food marking. However, anyone you choose must be compatible with the food product. As a result of the requirement of inkjet marking, inkjet food packaging printers are most ideal for secondary and tertiary packaging. When used with primary packaging, care must be taken.

Why You Should Use an Inkjet Food Packaging Printer

Why should an inkjet food packaging printer be your go-to machine for food packaging marking? Below are a few reasons why you should consider it as the right machine to use.

– Large Quantity Marking

An inkjet food packaging printer is a better cost control for customers as the process is suitable for batch marking. An inkjet food packaging printer like the recommended one can mark at a ridiculously high rate. However, the productivity associated with the process depends on the machine you choose. You can check through our recommended machines for the best food packaging printer to use.

– Low Maintenance

Most inkjet printers do not require much maintenance. For example, if you use a thermal inkjet printer, there is a lower tendency for maintenance compared to other methods.

Limitations of Using an Inkjet Food Packaging Printer

Most limitations associated with inkjet marking are based on the machines and the experience of the production team. Below are a few you can avoid.

– Cost of Ink

Inks used by an inkjet food packaging printer can be very expensive. Coupled with the packaging material determining the type of inks you use, there are further challenges in terms of price and choosing. This is one of the common limitations of using an inkjet food packaging printer.

– Inkjet Nozzle Problem

Some inkjet food packaging printers have very thin nozzles which tend to clog during printing. This can lead to an increase in ink consumption which increases the cost of inks. Also, it can lead to maintenance problems where much is done cleaning instead of printing.

– Compatibility of Ink

Compatibility is the most important limitation of inks in the food packaging industry. Manufacturers have to make sure that ink is compatible with the food product. There must be no reaction. To curb ink incompatibility, most food packaging industries do not use inkjet printing with primary packaging.

Laser Marking

Laser marking is another food packaging marking process that is popular in the food packaging industry. Unlike the inkjet method, it is compatible with many materials and can create detailed and permanent marking, which serves the purpose required in food packaging marking.

Laser Marking Processes You Can Use for Food Packaging Marking

Depending on the packaging material and types of packaging, there are two types of laser marking processes used in food packaging.

– Laser Engraving

Laser engraving is the most popular food packaging marking process that involves using a laser beam from a laser marking machine to remove parts of a material surface. The laser food packaging printer inscribes a highly readable code on the material. Depending on the materials, laser engraving is suitable for primary, secondary, and tertiary food packaging.

Care must be taken to the power of the laser marking machine not to disrupt the integrity of the packaging materials. This is important so that it can perform its job of protecting the food product.

– Laser Etching

Laser etching is a food packaging marking process that involves the inscription of code on the packaging material by melting and expanding its surface. The formation of the raised mark leads to the marking. There are few compatible materials based on laser etching. Therefore, it is more suitable for secondary and tertiary packaging.

Why You Should Use a Laser Food Packaging Printer

Below are a few advantages of using a laser food packaging printer.

– It Does Not Consume Ink Cartridges

Most people prefer laser marking processes to inkjet marking because of the cost of ink cartridges. Instead of using ink cartridges, the laser marking processes highlighted above use laser beams for quality marking. This is one of the most important things to consider when choosing any of the methods.

– Precision and Accuracy

This is one of the reasons why many people use laser marking processes, and it also applies in food packaging. Laser marking machines are accurate and precise, which is evident in the efficiency of the process.

– Materials

Laser marking machines can mark a wide variety of materials. Therefore, the process is suitable for marking any type of food packaging, irrespective of the material. This put it at an advantage over inkjet printing. However, do well to note the post-integrity structure of the material on the use of laser marking before using a laser food packaging printer.

– Productivity

Laser marking is a highly productive process known for its effectiveness and outright efficiency. For example, the recommended machine is suitable for batch coding of food packages.

– Product Compatibility

Laser marking is very compatible with food packaging materials and their content. Therefore, there should be no fear of using it in food packaging marking.

Limitation of Using a Laser Food Packaging Printer

Below are a few reasons that could make you consider other methods instead of laser food packaging marking.

– Laser Food Packaging Printers are Expensive

This is one of the reasons many people opt-in for inkjet printers. Most laser marking machines, when compared to inkjet printers, is very expensive. In terms of productivity, they are also lesser when compared to inkjet printers.

– Materials

Laser marking machines are compatible with many materials. Nevertheless, some materials used in food packaging, such as nylon, are easily ruptured when laser marking machines are used. This is not possible with inkjet printers.

Get the Best in Terms Food Packaging Printing

Food packaging and/or food manufacturing industries require different marking processes to ensure safety, identification, and traceability. There are many marking processes available presently. However, two processes are the most used in food packaging: inkjet printing and laser marking. This article introduces food packaging. It talks about the type of food packaging and its importance. More importantly, it discussed the different processes and food packaging printers you can use. Are you looking for a food packaging printer that guarantees effectiveness, efficiency, and quality marking? We are your best bet amidst the uncertainty that exists in the market.