There are two types of printers that are designed for printing labels: CIJ Printers and Print-and-Apply labelers. Especially in a large-scale industrial setting, labels play a pivotal role in ensuring that all products are traceable and carry the correct information, such as manufacturing and expiry dates.


The crucial need to correctly label goods calls for reliable industrial label printers. These printers are not only label printers, but they represent a much more intricate part of the business. A reliable industrial labeling machine to pair with your custom packaging equipment from Klippenstein Corporation does not only mark or code a product, but it does so accurately to avoid smudges that might be very costly.


A reliable industrial label printer machine uses continuous inkjet technology to achieve this. These CIJ inkjet printers are the most common in the industry. For instance, the Markem-Imaje is a dependable industrial printer that employs CIJ inkjet technology.

Understanding Continuous Inkjet Technology

Continuous inkjet technology is used to print products and packaging during production and packaging processes. Technology is used to print expiry dates, promotional information, serial numbers, and batch and production information.

What makes CIJ technology applicable in these cases is the fact that it is non-contact. Meaning that while printing, it does not come in contact with the product or packaging. This allows it to produce high-quality labels and codes in versatile, high-paced environments.

How CIJ Printers Work

As the name suggests, a CIJ printer is a printer that deploys a continuous inkjet while printing. The ink comes from the ink reservoir to the printer’s nozzle to create an inkjet.

The jet of ink through high-frequency vibration is divided into ink droplets that are then charged by electrodes. The charged droplets are passed through deflector plates to create an electrostatic field. Depending on the label to be printed, the charged droplets are deflected as they go through the deflector plates. They are then ejected from the printer through the printer head and onto the product or packaging. The uncharged droplets go back to the ink system.

The choice of ink is imperative to ensure the print quality is produced as desired. In addition, the ink choices should adhere to the substrate to ensure durability and create sufficient contrast to be legible.

Why CIJ Is a Superior Printing Technology

CIJ is a preferred printing technology for industrial printing machines. Its superiority in this arena is not coincidental.

CIJ printing is very flexible as it is applicable in various industries, including fruit, produce, and nuts, dairy, and protein bagged feed and grains, beverages and drinks, and custom glue industries, among others.

CIJ printers print fragile products. Since CIJ is a non-contact technology, it can easily print on fragile products. The ink is deflected from the printer, and only the ink lands on the product.

Since it is non-contact, the printer heads can be installed at a distance from the product. The distance created makes it possible to print on curved or uneven surfaces. Therefore, CIJ printers are the best industrial label printers for pipes, bottles, and cans.

The printers are flexible as they can use different specialty inks depending on the product. For example, heavily pigmented ink can be used on tires and cables. In addition, heat-resistant ink can be used for products that need to undergo heat processing after being printed. Also, food and beverages require their own specially developed ink to keep up with the food safety directives.

Types of CIJ Printers

5800

  • Improved productivity
    • Less downtime
    • Designed for efficiency
    • Less operator intervention
  • Enhanced performance
    • GS1-128 codes
    • Patented Touch Dry® hot melt inks
    • High quality codes faster
  • Increased flexibility
    • Easier line integration
    • Equipped for your application
    • Connect to your ERP

2200

  • Unmatched reliability
  • High-performance printing
  • Operation optimization
  • Traceability
  • Eco-initiatives

9450 E

  • Optimize your operating time and expenses
    • Up to 3,000 km of cable printing
    • Reduced TCO
    • Reduced additive consumption
    • High speed
    • Smart consumable system
    • Mistake-proof user interface (UI)
  • Precision all the way, every time
    • Precise, even on the tiniest of wires
    • Precise when using the embedded metering function
    • Precise at start-up
    • Precise after maintenance
  • Specialty inks for contrasted and durable codes
    • Premium inks designed for rough environmental conditions
    • Long-lasting codes, even on PE
    • Multiple colors
    • MEK-free options

Contact us today for more information on label printing and CIJ printers.