Pkg Solutions
Quality Glossary
PRINTING / CODING
Method of printing/marking fibreboard packs in addition
to any print produced by the pack manufacturer.
In the simplest form code all batch numbers can be printed
on the pack. It is also possible to standardise on a pack print and add
on the variables such as product, shape, flavour, name, customer name
etc. and to show advantages in stock holding and costs by having one standard
pack.
There are two basic methods used.
a) Roller coding
b) Ink jet printing
The former is the most widely used method, and is usually
fitted onto the packaging machines.
The coding unit consists of a sealed disposable ink
roller and a drum onto which is mounted a stereo.
It is possible to print all sides and front of cases
but the trailing face cannot easily be done.
There are small units which can be fitted in a production
line which consists of a belt conveyor, a 90 degrees turning unit and
the coders.
Ink jetting was originally designed to "print''
on the primary packs sell by dates, etc. It can be used for cases and
trays and is very flexible in its usage. The ink is deposited from a small
jet onto the case or product.