Guide

Inkjet ink and substrate guide

How the packaging material, surface finish and production environment affect inkjet coder selection and ink choice.

Flexible packaging with printed batch and barcode information
Application fit

Start with the surface you need to print onto

A code that looks clear on a carton may not work on a wet bottle, glossy pouch or curved plastic tub. The substrate, coating, surface energy, temperature and handling after print all affect ink adhesion and dry time.

  • Test actual production packaging, not only supplier samples
  • Check adhesion after handling, packing, chilling or palletising
  • Confirm whether the surface is porous, coated, glossy, wet, dusty or oily
  • Match the coder technology to the print height, resolution and line speed
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Porous surfacesUncoated cartons, corrugate and some paper labels can often accept fast-drying high-resolution print
Non-porous surfacesPlastic, glass, metal and films usually need matched ink and dry-time testing
Flexible packsPouches, bags and sleeves need checks for movement, gloss, heat seal area and code position
Related optionsCode quality guide, pouch coding and thermal inkjet printers
Specification notes

Practical checks before selecting a machine

Use these checks before you buy, quote or install a coder. They help reduce print defects, missed codes and unreliable date or batch marking once the line is running.

Have a sample, photo or line video?

Send it with your enquiry so the coder type, bracket position, print head access and ink choice can be reviewed properly.

Send details
Industrial coding machinery examplePrinted date and batch code example
Related options

Helpful inkjet coding options

Compare related coder types, applications and specification guidance.

Inkjet code quality guide

Inkjet code quality guide

Improve date, batch, barcode and QR code readability.

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Pouch and film coding

Pouch and film coding

Date, batch and traceability printing on pouches, bags, labels, sleeves and flexible packs.

View details →
Thermal inkjet printers

Thermal inkjet printers

High-resolution TIJ print for cartons, labels, sleeves, QR codes and barcodes.

View details →
Next step

Get a practical coding recommendation

Send pack photos, code artwork, material, speed, code position and available line space. Lancing can then advise on the most suitable inkjet coding route.

Need to print date, batch, lot or QR codes?

Tell us what you need to code and where the coder has to fit on the line.

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