Expiry dates are important for product integrity. They provide essential information for potential sellers and customers to know whether bottled products are still safe for consumption. While manufacturers cannot miss out on the importance of bottle expiry date printing, one must also look into the different types of bottle expiry date printing methods available that can affect overall operations.
This article will guide you on the 6 types of expiration date printer machines and how they can be used for your bottle production line:
6 Types of Bottle Expiry Date Printing Methods and their Uses
1. Inkjet Printing
These are the most commonly used methods of date printing for bottles. Inkjet printers are reliable due to their high-speed print capabilities and the readability of the print itself. They are mostly used in various plastic, glass, and metal bottles.
However, their drawback comes from some models’ high maintenance requirements. Some inkjet printers for bottle expiry dates need frequent cleaning due to the accumulation of ink over time. Look for a low-maintenance date printer for bottles like the Linx Continuous Inkjet product line which has an automated printhead cleaning feature that prevents downtime and keep your operations running smoothly.
USED FOR: Soda bottles, water bottles, medicine bottles
2. Pad Printing
A type of bottle printing method that uses a silicon pad to transfer prints onto curved or irregularly shaped surfaces. Pad printers are usually durable and can be applied to a wide range of materials from plastics, glass, and different metals.
The problem with this bottle expiry date printing method is that it takes time for the setup to be properly completed and most models are usually slower when used for bottle expiry date printing.
USED FOR: Sports bottles, promotional bottles, squeeze bottles
3. Thermal Transfer Printing
This method is also widely used for many other products besides bottles. Thermal Transfer Printers for bottles tend to have high-quality image prints and can be applied for both flat or curved surfaces. This process is used to print barcodes, QR codes, or the bottle expiry date onto tough plastics and glasses.
Thermal Transfer printers have models with print speeds that are usually slower compared to Continuous Inkjet printers. Their lack of speed is compensated by their versatility such as the Linx Thermal Transfer Overprinter (TTO) product line which applies prints to various kinds of food or medicine packaging.
USED FOR: Detergent bottles, bleach bottles, milk bottles
4. Dot Matrix Printing
A date printer method for bottles. Dot Matrix printing uses pins that press up ink onto their surface. These are ideal for small-scale production for a limited batch due to these machines having the slowest print speed compared to printers used in other processes. Dot Matrix printing also has limited applications for design as it only uses dots as a template.
USED FOR: Glass bottles, pharmaceutical bottles, plastic bottles
4. Laser Marking
These are good for indelible bottle expiry date marks on durable bottles made from materials such as glass, PET plastics, or metal bottle caps. Their print speed is dependent on the complexity of the design and the surface being marked.
If you are looking for a dependable laser coder, the Linx CSL60 is the ideal choice. It is an efficient date printer for bottles and other durable products. This model is made to function even in harsh environments and can mark complex codes onto hard materials.
USED FOR: Wine bottles, beer bottles, plastic (PTE) water bottles
5. Hot Stamping
A process that is commonly used to label electrical wires, hot stamping uses heat to print foils onto surfaces making them into letters or numbers. These are also intended for decorative purposes on premium or luxury products. They are similar to Thermal Transfer Overprinters but they require the use of foil refills. The hot stamping print process is also generally slow.
USED FOR: Cosmetics bottles, wine bottles, perfume or cologne bottles
Choose the Right Date Printer for Bottles
The right date printer for bottles produces lasting and readable marks that help your customers and business operations partners maintain the safety and integrity of your products. Find the right process that works for the types of bottles you use while improving the speed of your production process.
ALSO READ: Industrial Machine Maintenance Tips for Printers and Coders
You can find bottle expiry date printing machines that require regular maintenance and repairs to lower the risk of disruptions to your operations. Elixir Industrial Equipment Inc. is among the best suppliers of state-of-the-art technology that supports production lines.
Our services help to ensure that your coding machines are well-integrated into your production as well as provide after-sales support in the maintenance and repair of your machines.