Barcodes and surfaces on which to print them
You don’t just print a barcode at random. Instead, you should always consider them before printing a number, date or text on a product or packaging. There are lots of different barcodes and materials on which you can print them. In this blog, we go through them with you.
What kinds of barcodes can be printed?
Both linear barcodes and 2D codes can be printed:
- EAN barcode
- UPC barcode
- Code 128
- Code 39
- ITF barcode
- QR code
- Datamatrix code
- PDF417
- Aztec code
On which surfaces can you directly print a barcode?
Actually, you can print on anything. The product, the environment and the ink determine whether it is actually possible. Below, we give an insight into the different surfaces and possibilities. If you cannot find the answer or would like to know more, please contact us.
Plastic
Various ink colours are available for plastic, so that the print remains visible even on dark bottles, vinyl or PVC tubes or mats. Thermal inkjet printers are made with a technology, where the print head and ink system are inside the cartridge. This makes it easy to switch for different colours.
Tin and metal
Tracking food is incredibly important. Fast-drying ink is used to code or mark metal or tin cans. By printing quickly and without contact, the ink dries instantly, making products easy to trace.
Marking and coding PET bottle and cap
A PET bottle containing liquid needs a print, such as a date, a coding or a marking. Various thermal inkjet printers can do that at various points in a production line. The compactness of the printers makes them easy to integrate.
Flexible packaging
Plastic film or primary packaging is usually marked with a little bit of information, such as a lot number, a best-before date or a short description. This can be done with a single print head on a production line or several print heads simultaneously printing the same information on different lanes or lines.
Marking of wood
Code the wood with a logo or identification so that everyone knows where it comes from and what the quality is. You can do this with thermal inkjet printers that code accurately, making images highly visible.
Direct printing on paper and cardboard
Paper and cardboard are absorbent materials. With the right combination of printing technology, ink and drying time, it is possible to mark boxes. This makes it possible to replace labels with printing. It is also possible to print a logo in multiple colours.
