Case Study
VR

CIJ Coder Applications: From Food Packaging to Electronics Labeling

September 26, 2025

Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) printers — also known as CIJ coders — are high-performance, industrial-grade systems used across multiple sectors to apply critical product information such as expiry dates, batch codes, and barcodes directly onto items.

Utilizing a contactless printing process, they propel microscopic, electrostatically charged ink droplets onto the target surface. This enables fast, clean, and precise marking on a wide range of substrates, including plastic, metal, glass, and cardboard. They work by spraying tiny droplets of ink onto a surface, without ever touching it. This contactless printing makes it quick, clean, and suitable for all kinds of materials, whether it's plastic, metal, glass, or cardboard. One of the biggest advantages of CIJ printers is their ability to keep up with high-speed production lines. Whether it's food packaging, electronic parts, or household goods, they handle fast-moving items with ease, producing clear and lasting prints.

From traceability and safety to giving products a polished, professional finish, CIJ printers play a key role in making modern packaging efficient and dependable.

 

 

CIJ coders at Correct Pack


What is a CIJ Coder?

A continuous inkjet printer (CIJ), also known as a CIJ coder, is an industrial type of printer that is utilized in marking products by means of a continuous ink jet stream.

It is meant to print something on moving items on a production line, usually numbers, text, or possibly codes. It is a non-contact technology, and this means it can print on plastic, metal, glass, and paper surfaces without any damage being caused to the item. This fits the industries that require high-speed, dependable, and high-quality coding.

CIJ Coder Operation

The CIJ coders work by forcing ink through a small nozzle, which forms a stream of droplets. They are electrostatically charged droplets that will be directed onto the target substrate in the form of letters, figures, or other designs under the influence of electric fields. It is efficient since the waste ink is reused in the system. This is a straightforward outline of the process:


● Ink Delivery: Ink can be pumped out of a reservoir to a printhead.

● Droplet Formation: The stream is broken into small droplets.

● Charging and Deflection: Droplets become charged and directed towards generating the desired print.

● Recycling: Droplets that have not been used are recovered and recycled.

The process enables CIJ coders to operate efficiently and accurately during fast production lines.


Applications of CIJ Coders in Food Packaging

CIJ coders play a significant role in the food industry, which is a regulated space and requires traceable products that can be ensured to be safe for consumption. These printers are used in marking packaging with necessary information such as expiration dates, batch numbers, and barcodes.


The Food Safety and Traceability

The food products should be marked clearly to notify consumers and comply with legal requirements. CIJ inkjet printers print onto packaging materials such as plastics, cardboard, and metal cans, and make the information readable even within the lifecycle of the product. Among the most important ones are:

● Expiration Dates: CIJ coders print them as best-by or use-by dates to guide consumers on when a given food is okay to consume.

● Batch Numbers: These are codes used to track products during quality checks or even recalls.

● Barcodes: CIJ printers generate readable barcodes that can be used to track inventory and sales.


Processing Different Packaging Materials

Packaging of food may be in the form of rigid glass containers or flexible plastic bags. The best CIJ printers are the ones that can print on almost any surface without slowing down the production line. For example:

● Plastic Films: These are utilized in snack bags or in frozen foods.

● Canned items: Edibles inside metal cans, beverages.

● Cardboard Boxes: Foods such as cereals or dry foods, packaged in cardboard boxes.

These printers can print on many different materials, which is why food manufacturers use them. Since food is produced at very high speeds, the printers help meet labeling rules without slowing things down.


High-Speed Lines

The production lines of food are usually fast-paced to meet the demand. CIJ coders are built to stay with the times and print readable codes at speeds that are driven by moving conveyors. This helps to avoid production downtimes and print consistency. Discover Correct Pack Automatic Single Regulation Simple Structure Quick PVC Belt Conveyor.


CIJ Inkjet Printers in the Beverage Industry

CIJ coders are also of great benefit to the beverage industry. Whether in plastic bottles or aluminum cans, with these printers, there will be durable and clear markings that will resist moisture and handling.

Bottles and Cans Coding

The beverage containers need codes that are not affected by cold weather or wet conditions. CIJ coders use special inks which are easily applied to surfaces such as:

● Plastic Bottles: Widely used in water/soft drinks.

● Aluminium Cans: Sodas and energy drinks.

● Glass Bottles: It is popular with high-end drinks such as craft beers.

Such codes contain batch identification, the date of production, and barcodes so that the products can be tracked down and the regulations are met.


High-Throughput Production Lines

Beverage production lines move quickly, so printers need to keep up without interruptions. CIJ printers are built for tough conditions and can maintain continuous operation, even in harsh environments. Also, they need very little maintenance, assisting manufacturers to prevent downtime, which means significant expenses.

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CIJ Coders in Electronics Labeling

CIJ coders are used in the electronics industry where components and products are coded with identification codes, serial numbers, and so on. These inscriptions are vital to quality and traceability as well as branding.

Electronic Component Markings

Electronics often involve tiny, delicate parts made from materials like plastic, metal, or ceramics. CIJ printers can mark these surfaces without causing any damage. Common uses include:

● Serial Numbers: As a way of keeping individual components or devices.

● Barcodes: To track the inventory and supply chain.

● Branding: To print logos or product information to recognize them.

The codes are used to allow the manufacturer to track parts as they move through the production process and enable product tracing throughout their life cycle.


Working on High-density Materials

The use of durable materials such as circuit boards or metal cases is common when dealing with electronics manufacturing. CIJ coders employ special inks that affix themselves to these surfaces, and hence, the codes will still be readable and resistant to handling and environmental changes.


Facilitating Rapid Production

The production lines in electronics are usually in a rush to keep up with customer demands. The CIJ coders are high-velocity coders who print legible codes without necessarily slowing the process. This productivity is essential in large-scale production.


Other Industries with CIJ Inkjet Printers

Besides food, drinks, medicine, and electronics, there are so many other industries where continuous inkjet printers are applied. They can be used in a variety of applications, such as:

● Cosmetics: Printing codes and expiration dates on bottles, tubes, and jars.

● Automotive: Labeling automotive parts such as cables, wires, and components to gain traceability.

● Construction: Identification coding of pipes, cables, and extruded profiles through coding.

● Daily Products: The household products, such as the cleaning products or the personal care products.

CIJ coders in every one of these industries offer quality and confidence in markings that are needed to meet special requirements, such as regulatory compliance and branding requirements.


Future of Continuous Inkjet Printers

The trend where industries are constantly being optimized means that CIJ coders are only becoming more sophisticated. Emerging technologies could enhance and have a better print performance, printing speed, and reduce the amount of maintenance. Also, the increasing interest in green solutions can result in more sustainable inks and printers that are energy-efficient. The role of CIJ coders will remain crucial in ensuring that businesses satisfy consumer needs, expect them to stay within the requirements, and be more effective. At Correct Pack, with a professional R&D team's support, we can advise you further to ensure that whichever solution you source from us meets your needs if you have any special application. Get to know about our services here.


Conclusion

Continuous inkjet printers (CIJ coders) are an indispensable component of modern production processes, providing highly flexible, fast, cost-effective, and reliable coding options. Such printers serve the purpose of marking expiration dates on food, printing a serial number on electronics, among others, in various industries such as food, beverages, and others. They are non-negotiable because they can print on multiple materials, manage the swift production lines, and create a long-lasting code. With the development of technology, the continuous inkjet printers will get increasingly advanced and aid businesses to remain efficient and on top of the fast-paced world. For more information regarding printers, contact Correct Pack.


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