What is an industrial inkjet printer?

November 7 2023

Industrial inkjet printers is a crucial component in many production and manufacturing processes. These printers are used to label products and packaging with information such as best-before dates, batch numbers, logos, barcodes and other important data. The marking can be applied to a variety of materials such as plastic, metal, glass, wood, cardboard and paper, making these printers extremely versatile. But what exactly is an industrial inkjet printer, how does it work, and why is it so important in today's modern industries?

In this article, we delve into the technology behind industrial inkjet printers, their various uses, and why they are indispensable to businesses worldwide.

How does an industrial inkjet printer work?

An industrial inkjet printer is a type of printer that uses tiny droplets of ink to create text, symbols, or images on a surface. The technology is often based on a method called Continuous Ink Jet (CIJ), Thermal Inkjet (TIJ) or Piezo Inkjet Technology.

Continuous Ink Jet (CIJ)

CIJ is one of the most common technologies in industrial marking. It uses a continuous stream of ink droplets to be ejected from a nozzle. A loading mechanism controls which droplets are used to create text or graphics, while excess ink is recycled to minimize waste. CIJ technology is fast and is particularly well suited for marking products moving along a continuous production line.

1.Ink supply and pressure build-up:

The CIJ printer has a ink reservoir where liquid ink is mixed with solvents to maintain an optimal viscosity.
A pump creates pressure, which forces the ink through a very small nozzle with a diameter of only 50-80 microns.

2. Microscopic ink droplets are formed:

When the ink is ejected through the nozzle, a piezoelectric crystal vibrates at a high frequency (typically 60–000 times per second).
The vibration breaks up the ink jet into a sequence of small, uniform droplets.

3. Electrical charging of the ink droplets:

As the ink droplets are created, they pass through a charging electrode.
Here, some droplets are given an electrical charge, while others remain neutral.

Why? Only the charged droplets are used for labelling – the neutral droplets are recycled back to the system.

4. Control of the droplets with electric fields:

After the droplets are charged, they pass through two electrically charged deflection plates.
The charged droplets are influenced by the electric field and guided in the correct direction towards the product surface.
Neutral droplets go straight ahead and are recycled in a collection system.

5. High-speed contactless marking:

The deflected ink droplets hit the product's surface and form letters, numbers, barcodes, batch numbers or logos.
The marking is contactless, making the technology ideal for fast-moving production lines (e.g. up to 10 m/sec).

6. Recycling of excess ink:

The neutral ink droplets, which are not used for marking, are sucked back into a recycling container and reused.
This minimizes ink waste and reduces costs.

Advantages of CIJ:

Capable of high production speeds.
Works on many different materials and surfaces, including uneven or curved surfaces.
Withstands harsh environmental conditions such as dust, heat and humidity.

CIJ printer Linx 10

Thermal Inkjet (TIJ)

TIJ (Thermal Inkjet) is an inkjet technology used to print text, barcodes, logos and variable data on various materials using ink cartridges. The technology is popular in industrial marking due to its high resolution, maintenance-free operation and compact printers. TIJ uses heat to create ink droplets and apply them to a surface. A heating element in the print head heats the ink to approximately 300°C, which creates a vapor bubble that pushes the ink out through the nozzle. When the bubble collapses, the chamber is automatically filled with new ink, enabling continuous and fast printing.

1. Ink supply and print head structure

TIJ printers use replaceable ink cartridges where each cartridge has an integrated printhead. This means that the nozzles and ink supply are built in, reducing the need for maintenance.

The ink is stored in a small-scale ink reservoir inside the cartridge.
A capillary force helps to carry the ink to the microscopic ink chambers of the print head.
Each ink chamber has a heating element (resistor) that heats the ink when an electrical signal is sent.

2. Heating and formation of steam bubbles

The heart of TIJ technology is thermal ink delivery. When the printer is activated, an electrical pulse is sent to the heating element in the ink chamber.

The heating element heats up to approximately 300°C in microseconds.
The high temperature causes the ink to evaporate and form a vapor bubble.
The vapor bubble expands explosively, creating high pressure in the ink chamber.

3. The ink drop is ejected through the nozzle

The rapidly expanding vapor bubble forces a small amount of ink out through the nozzle, forming a precise and defined ink droplet.

When the vapor bubble pushes out the ink, a precisely positioned ink drop is created.
The ink drop travels with high precision and speed towards the surface to be marked.
The ink dries almost instantly upon contact with the surface.

4. Collapse of the vapor bubble and refilling with new ink

The steam bubble disappears and creates a negative pressure in the chamber.
The negative pressure automatically sucks new ink into the ink chamber from the cartridge.
The process is repeated thousands of times per second, enabling fast and continuous marking.

5. Printing continues at high speedt

TIJ printers can create thousands of ink droplets per second, allowing marking to occur in real time and at high speed.

The process is repeated for each nozzle in the cartridge.
Multiple nozzles can work simultaneously, allowing the printer to generate both text, logos and barcodes.
The ink can be water-based, solvent-based or UV-curable, depending on the application.

Advantages of TIJ

Maintenance free – No moving parts, the print head is replaced with each ink cartridge.
High resolution – Perfect for barcodes, QR codes and sharp text.
Fast and efficient – Suitable for industrial production lines.

TIJ printer Markoprint X1Jet

PIJ – Piezo Inkjet technology

Piezo Inkjet (PIJ) is an advanced inkjet technology used for industrial marking and printing. It uses piezoelectric crystals to create pressure waves to eject ink droplets from nozzles. Unlike CIJ and TIJ, which use heat or a continuous stream of ink, each droplet is controlled individually without heating or recirculating the ink.

This technology provides high precision and control over ink volume and placement, making it ideal for marking on both porous and non-porous materials. PIJ is often used for high-resolution graphics, large print, barcodes and variable data in productions where durability and quality are crucial.

1. The ink reservoir and ink supply

The ink is stored in an ink reservoir connected to the print head.
A capillary force or a pressure pump helps to push the ink to the print head chamber, where it waits to be ejected through the nozzle.

2. Piezoelectric crystals create pressure

Each ink chamber in the print head contains a piezoelectric crystal.
When an electrical voltage is applied, the crystal changes shape and creates a pressure wave in the ink.
The pressure wave propels a precise amount of ink through the nozzle.

3. The ink drop is ejected through the nozzle

When the pressure wave is created, an ink droplet is ejected with high precision.
The ink droplets can be adjustable in size, allowing for customization of print resolution and coverage.
PIJ can eject ink in different directions and patterns, depending on programming.

4. Direct application to the surface

The ink hits the surface and dries quickly, creating a sharply defined mark.
Because PIJ can precisely control droplet size and placement, text and graphics become highly detailed.
The technology works on a variety of materials, including paper, plastic, metal, and glass.

5. Adjustable droplet size for different print qualities

Grayscale technology in some PIJ printers allows for variable droplet size, creating smoother tonal transitions and better detail.
Prints can be customized from simple text to high-resolution graphics by varying the amount of ink per drop.

Advantages of PIJ

High resolution and precision – Perfect for graphics, barcodes and logos.
Long printhead life – The piezo element does not wear out like in TIJ.
Flexible ink options – Supports solvent, UV and pigmented inks.

PIJ printer Markoprint Integra PP Razr

Comparison between CIJ, TIJ and PIJ

Trait	CIJ	TIJ	PJJ
Resolution	🟡 Average – approx. 300 dpi, good for text & date marking	🢢 High – up to 600 dpi, perfect for sharp barcodes	🢢 Very high – up to 1440 dpi, ideal for graphics & logos
Speed	🢢 Very high – Can write in up to 1000 m / min	🢢 High – Good speed but limited by cartridge capacity	🟡 Average – Good for graphics, but not as fast as CIJ
Maintenance	🔴 High – Requires regular cleaning & ink management	🢢 Low – Printhead is replaced with each cartridge, minimal maintenance	🟡 Average – Good for graphics, but not as fast as CIJ
Ink consumption	🢢 Lid – The ink is recycled and used efficiently	🔴 High – Cartridges can be expensive for large volumes	🟡 Average – Efficient ink utilization, but requires some ink management
Operation & Lifespan	🟡 Good for continuous operation – Requires maintenance to keep running	🢢 Maintenance-free operation – Easy to use and change cartridges	🢢 High lifespan – Piezo elements do not wear out like heat-based systems

Applications for industrial inkjet printers

Industrial inkjet printers are used across a wide range of industries, and their flexibility makes them a key component in many production processes. Here are some examples of how they are used:

The food industry – In the food sector, industrial inkjet printers are used to label packaging with best-before dates, batch numbers and traceability information. The marking must be safe and comply with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices), especially when the printer comes into contact with food.
Pharmaceutical industry – In the pharmaceutical industry, accurate and permanent marking is essential to meet strict regulations and safety requirements. Inkjet printers are used to print barcodes, serial numbers and traceability information on packaging and labels.
Electronics industry – In electronics, inkjet printers are used to mark small components such as circuit boards, cables and contact points. The technology makes it possible to print very small and detailed markings.
Packaging industry – In the packaging industry, inkjet printers are used to label cartons, bottles, cans and bags. The materials can vary from plastic and glass to paper and metal, and the printer must therefore be able to handle a range of different surfaces.
Construction and engineering industry – Inkjet printers are also used to mark construction materials such as wood, concrete and steel. These printers must be robust and withstand harsh conditions.

Advantages of industrial inkjet printers

Industrial inkjet printers are popular for several reasons. Here are some of their biggest advantages:

Flexibility: Can be used on a variety of materials and in many different industries.
Speed: Capable of high production speeds, making them ideal for high-speed marking on assembly lines.
Cost-effective: Lower operating costs compared to other marking methods, especially for large volumes.
High quality: Ability to print at high resolution for sharp and clear markings.
Environmentally friendly alternatives: Modern models use inks and technologies that reduce environmental impact.

Laser machine or industrial inkjet printer – which is best?

Challenges and future developments

Despite their many advantages, industrial inkjet printers can also present some challenges. Regular maintenance is needed to ensure that nozzles do not clog, and the right choice of ink is crucial to avoid problems such as long drying time or poor adhesion.

The industrial inkjet printers of the future are being developed to be even more durable and user-friendly. New technologies focus on:

Eco-friendly inks: Water-based and biodegradable options.
Integration with IoT: Smart printers that can be monitored and controlled via the internet.
Improved compatibility: Technology for an even wider range of materials and surfaces.

An industrial inkjet printer is an indispensable component in today's modern production lines. With their advanced technologies and versatile applications, they enable fast and efficient marking of products and packaging. Whether it's printing a best-before date on a plastic package or a barcode on an electronic component, inkjet printers offer solutions that combine precision, speed and flexibility.

This is how our customers work with inkjet printers

Industrial inkjet printers open up great opportunities for companies to increase their production flow. For companies looking to maximize productivity and ensure they meet industry requirements, choosing the right industrial inkjet printer is crucial. With continuous innovation, these printers are ready to meet the demands of the future and continue to be a central part of the manufacturing industry.

Here we share inspiring examples of how UNE-Produkter and Nordic Plastic have integrated inkjet technology into their operations.

UNE-Products strengthens the brand together with Linx 8900!

For UNE-Produkter, this has been a boost in terms of brand building. They now mark all moldings with their logo and the profile of the molding with two pieces. inkjet printer Linx 8900. When the strips are then collected in bundles, the labelling machine Weber LA4050e label the bundle with information such as color, length and logo. Read more!

Nordic Plastic chooses Logimark's Linx 8900 inkjet printer

When Nordic Plastic needed to replace their marking machine, they discovered Logimark. Their current machine did not meet their requirements, had quality deficiencies and required a lot of service. With Logimark as their marking machine supplier, Nordic Plastic feels that it has worked out perfectly, both with the choice of inkjet printer but also the availability of service and spare parts. Read more!

SeaSam Food increases efficiency with Linx 8900 and WLM Wipe-On

SeaSam Food AB has replaced its manual labelling with an automated solution consisting of Linx 8900 inkjet printer and WLM Wipe-On labelling machine. The Linx 8900 prints important product information directly onto the packaging, while the WLM Wipe-On applies date labels, which has increased efficiency and flexibility in production. To address the challenges of condensation on the packaging, SeaSam uses a specially adapted ink that adheres well to damp surfaces. Through the collaboration with Logimark, the company has improved its production process and ensured high quality labelling.

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What is an industrial inkjet printer?

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