Packaging Automation
Integrate product coding with forming, filling, packing, sealing, wrapping, and other packaging processes.
Explore Packaging AutomationCoding & Marking
Coding & Marking Solutions
Apply clear, consistent, variable information directly to products, packaging, and cases with industrial coding and marking solutions selected around the substrate, code content, production speed, operating environment, and verification requirements.
ATP Equipment Solutions helps manufacturers and packaging operations evaluate product coding, case coding, inkjet printing, thermal transfer, laser marking, and portable marking technologies around the actual production application.
What Are Coding and Marking Solutions?
Coding and marking solutions create human-readable and machine-readable information directly on products, components, primary packaging, or secondary packaging. Depending on the application, that information may include production dates, expiration dates, lot numbers, batch codes, serial numbers, product identifiers, barcodes, 2D codes, text, or simple graphics.
The appropriate coding system depends on what must be printed, where the code must be placed, the material being marked, line speed, product movement, required contrast, durability, operating environment, data source, and level of inspection or verification.
From Production Data to a Finished Code
A successful coding application involves more than placing a printer beside a conveyor. Product movement, code data, print position, substrate compatibility, inspection, and downstream handling must work together.
- 01
Define the Code
Determine the required content, format, dimensions, location, readability, permanence, and frequency of data changes.
- 02
Present and Detect the Product
Position the product or package consistently and use the appropriate sensor, trigger, encoder, or line signal to initiate printing.
- 03
Print or Mark the Surface
Apply the code using inkjet, thermal transfer, laser, or another technology selected for the substrate and production process.
- 04
Inspect or Verify
When required, use supported inspection or verification technology to confirm code presence, placement, readability, or data accuracy.
- 05
Route and Record
Move the coded product into the next packaging, inspection, case-handling, or palletizing process, and record production data when the integrated system supports it.
Not every application requires every stage. The correct configuration depends on the product, code requirements, production line, and level of automation.
Where the Right Coding System Creates Value
Coding applications vary widely. Products may move at different speeds, present curved or irregular surfaces, require changing data, or operate in environments that affect ink, printheads, materials, and code quality.
01
Manage Changing Production Information
Update dates, lot numbers, batch codes, serial numbers, product identifiers, or barcodes as production runs change.
02
Print on Challenging Surfaces
Evaluate technology and consumables around porous, nonporous, curved, flexible, coated, textured, or irregular materials.
03
Maintain Code Quality at Production Speed
Match the printing technology, code size, print distance, product movement, and data requirements to the operating speed of the complete line.
04
Improve Code Placement and Consistency
Use appropriate product handling, sensors, mounting, and line controls to help position the code consistently on the intended print area.
05
Support Product Identification and Traceability
Apply human-readable and machine-readable information that helps distinguish products, production runs, cases, and other units throughout the operation.
06
Connect Coding With the Production Workflow
Coordinate the printer with packaging equipment, conveyors, product detection, inspection, rejection, and production data sources when the application requires a connected system.
Product, Package and Case Coding Applications
Industrial coding and marking systems can support different stages of production. The appropriate technology depends on the material, code content, finished package, production speed, environment, and required permanence.
Product and Primary Package Coding
Product coding systems can apply dates, lot numbers, batch information, serial numbers, barcodes, and other variable information directly to products or primary packaging. Applications may include bottles, cans, jars, tubes, containers, cartons, closures, components, and other supported formats.
Date coding machines, lot code printers, and batch coding machines are evaluated together with the product identification requirements for primary packaging, since product marking systems must match the surface as well as the code.
Flexible Film and Web Coding
Thermal transfer overprinting and other compatible technologies can print changing information onto flexible packaging films and web materials. Applications may include bags, pouches, wrappers, labels, or packaging material before it is formed, filled, or sealed.
TTO printers are commonly evaluated for flexible packaging coding where date and lot coding, barcodes, and other variable data on packaging must remain legible on film.
Technology selection depends on the film, coating, ribbon, print area, web motion, packaging equipment, and operating environment.
Carton and Case Coding
Case coding systems apply larger text, barcodes, product information, lot numbers, or graphics directly to cartons, trays, corrugated cases, and other secondary packaging. Depending on the application, direct case coding may provide an alternative to preprinted case variations or applied labels.
Carton coding systems for corrugated case printing may use large-character inkjet printers, high-resolution case coding, or drop-on-demand inkjet configurations depending on the required image and case presentation.
Case coding is often coordinated with conveyors, case handling, inspection, sortation, and downstream pallet operations.
Explore Material Handling & End-of-Line Automation Solutions
Permanent Laser Marking
Laser marking creates a code by interacting with the material or its surface rather than applying ink or ribbon. Depending on the selected laser and substrate, it may be used for permanent text, serial numbers, barcodes, 2D codes, logos, or product identification.
Industrial laser marking systems are commonly reviewed for laser coding, serial number marking, 2D code marking, and other permanent product marking applications.
Material compatibility, code contrast, laser type, production speed, enclosure, extraction, and safety requirements must be evaluated before recommending a system.
Portable and Low-Volume Marking
Portable or handheld marking systems may support operations where products are too large, production is intermittent, volumes are lower, or the coding station is not part of a fully automated conveyor line.
Handheld inkjet printers and other portable industrial printing equipment are often considered for low-volume product coding and manual case coding stations.
Portable equipment still needs to be evaluated around substrate compatibility, code quality, operator consistency, environment, and required production data.
Compare Industrial Coding and Marking Technologies
No single coding technology is appropriate for every product or production line. Each method has different requirements related to materials, code size, print quality, permanence, speed, consumables, maintenance, and integration.
Continuous Inkjet Printing
CIJ
- Typical Role
- Small-character coding on products and packaging moving through continuous production lines.
- Potential Strengths
- Non-contact printing
- Can support curved or irregular surfaces
- Multiple ink options may be available
- Suitable for many changing date, lot, and batch-code applications
- Key Considerations
- Ink and solvent selection
- Substrate compatibility
- Operating environment
- Code resolution
- Maintenance requirements
- Printhead placement
Thermal Inkjet Printing
TIJ
- Typical Role
- High-resolution text, barcodes, 2D codes, and graphics on products, cartons, and other controlled print-distance applications.
- Potential Strengths
- Cartridge-based operation
- High-resolution output
- Compact printheads
- Can support machine-readable codes when properly configured
- Key Considerations
- Printhead distance
- Substrate and ink compatibility
- Product movement
- Cartridge selection
- Required code durability
- Print area
Thermal Transfer Overprinting
TTO
- Typical Role
- Printing variable information onto flexible packaging films and web materials.
- Potential Strengths
- Clear text, barcodes, and graphics
- Designed for flexible packaging workflows
- May support intermittent or continuous motion depending on the system
- Key Considerations
- Ribbon selection
- Film compatibility
- Web motion
- Packaging-machine integration
- Print area
- Printhead pressure and setup
Laser Marking
- Typical Role
- Creating permanent or durable marks by interacting with the product or packaging surface.
- Potential Strengths
- No ink or ribbon
- Can support high-contrast and machine-readable codes
- Can create permanent marks on compatible materials
- Key Considerations
- Material compatibility
- Mark contrast
- Laser wavelength and power
- Product speed
- Enclosure
- Fume extraction
- Operator safety
Large-Character and Case Coding
Drop-on-demand, high-resolution inkjet, or compatible thermal inkjet configurations
- Typical Role
- Printing larger text, barcodes, graphics, and product information directly onto cartons and corrugated cases.
- Potential Strengths
- Direct secondary-package coding
- Supports larger print areas
- May reduce the need for multiple preprinted case variations when appropriate
- Key Considerations
- Corrugated surface and porosity
- Print resolution
- Code dimensions
- Conveyor motion
- Printhead distance
- Image requirements
- Case presentation
These are general technology characteristics. Actual capabilities depend on the selected manufacturer, model, ink, ribbon, laser configuration, substrate, installation, and production environment.
What Do You Need to Print, and Where?
Equipment selection begins with the required code and the surface receiving it. Both must be evaluated together before choosing a coding technology.
Common Code Content
- Production dates
- Expiration dates
- Best-before or use-by dates
- Lot and batch numbers
- Shift and production-line identifiers
- Serial numbers
- Product identification numbers
- Human-readable text
- 1D barcodes
- 2D Data Matrix or QR codes
- Sequential numbering
- Logos and simple graphics
- Other variable production information
Available code formats depend on the selected printer, software, print resolution, code dimensions, substrate, line speed, and verification requirements.
Common Products and Surfaces
- Bottles
- Cans
- Jars
- Tubes
- Closures and caps
- Folding cartons
- Corrugated cases
- Flexible films
- Bags and pouches
- Paperboard
- Plastics
- Metal
- Glass
- Coated materials
- Uncoated materials
- Manufactured components
- Other approved substrates
Material compatibility is never universal. Sample testing may be needed to confirm adhesion, contrast, drying, permanence, and readability.
Direct Coding or Applied Labeling?
Direct coding and applied labeling can both place variable information onto products and packaging, but they use different methods. The appropriate approach depends on the surface, code size, required graphics, permanence, data content, production speed, application environment, and existing equipment.
Direct Coding and Marking
The code is printed or marked directly onto the product, package, carton, or case using inkjet, thermal transfer overprinting, laser, or another compatible technology.
Potential considerations
- Available print area
- Surface compatibility
- Required code contrast
- Ink or ribbon selection
- Mark permanence
- Line speed
- Product presentation
- Code-change frequency
Labeling and Print-and-Apply
Variable information is printed onto separate label material, which is then applied to the product, package, case, or pallet.
Potential considerations
- Label size and material
- Adhesive selection
- Application surface
- Placement accuracy
- Print resolution
- Label inventory
- Applicator method
- Production speed
Neither method is universally better. Some operations use direct coding at one stage and applied labels at another. ATP can help evaluate the approach based on the complete production workflow.
Explore Labeling & Print-and-Apply SolutionsExplore Coding & Marking Equipment
Coding and marking solutions are built from equipment selected around the code, substrate, production speed, environment, data requirements, and level of automation. Browse the related equipment category to explore available technologies.
Browse All Coding & Marking Equipment- Continuous Inkjet Printers
- Thermal Inkjet Printers
- Thermal Transfer Overprinters
- Laser Marking Systems
- Large-Character Inkjet Printers
- High-Resolution Case Coding Systems
- Drop-on-Demand Case Coders
- Portable and Handheld Marking Systems
How to Select a Coding and Marking System
The right industrial coding system is determined by the complete application, not simply by advertised print speed or resolution. The product, code, substrate, line movement, environment, data source, inspection requirements, and surrounding equipment must be evaluated together.
01
Required Code Content
Define the text, date format, lot information, barcode, 2D code, serial number, graphics, number of lines, and maximum code dimensions.
02
Product and Substrate
Identify the material, coating, surface texture, color, shape, temperature, porosity, and any other characteristics that may affect print adhesion, contrast, or mark quality.
03
Production Speed and Product Pitch
Document line speed, products per minute, spacing between products, stopping or continuous motion, and the time available to print each code.
04
Print Area and Product Geometry
Confirm the available print area, product orientation, curvature, surface consistency, printhead distance, and whether the product can be presented reliably.
05
Contrast and Durability
Determine how visible the code must be and whether it must resist handling, abrasion, moisture, temperature changes, chemicals, light, or other environmental factors. Testing is used to confirm expected performance.
06
Operating Environment
Evaluate temperature, humidity, dust, moisture, washdown requirements, vibration, ventilation, and other conditions surrounding the coding station.
07
Production Data and Connectivity
Identify whether code information will be entered by an operator or received from a controller, database, barcode scanner, PLC, MES, ERP, or another production-data source when supported. Compatibility is confirmed through technical validation.
08
Inspection and Verification
Determine whether the operation needs code-presence detection, barcode grading, character inspection, data matching, product rejection, or production records.
09
Consumables and Maintenance
Consider inks, solvents, cartridges, ribbons, filters, cleaning requirements, planned maintenance, operator responsibilities, and service accessibility.
10
Installation and Safety Requirements
Review equipment mounting, guarding, electrical requirements, ventilation, laser enclosure, fume extraction, operator access, line controls, and available floor space.
11
Future Code Requirements
Consider whether code formats, 2D barcode use, product variations, data sources, production volumes, or inspection requirements may change over time.
12
Application Testing
When necessary, test representative products, materials, inks, ribbons, or laser settings before finalizing the equipment recommendation.
Coding and Marking Applications by Industry
Industrial coding and marking systems support a wide range of manufacturing and packaging environments. The appropriate technology varies by product, material, code requirement, production speed, and operating conditions.
Food & Beverage
Apply dates, lot numbers, batch information, product identifiers, and machine-readable codes to bottles, cans, cartons, flexible packaging, containers, and secondary cases. Ink selection and application suitability are confirmed for each product.
Pharmaceutical & Healthcare
Support product identification, lot and batch coding, expiration information, serialization, and machine-readable code applications where the selected equipment and validated production process are appropriate.
Consumer Products
Code cosmetics, personal care products, household goods, containers, cartons, tubes, cases, and other consumer-product formats.
Industrial Manufacturing
Mark components, parts, cables, extrusions, containers, assemblies, and other manufactured products with identification, date, lot, serial, or production information.
Building Materials
Apply product information, lot codes, dimensions, identifiers, and other variable data to cases, bags, boards, components, or construction-related materials where compatible equipment is available.
Secondary Packaging & Distribution
Print product information, barcodes, handling data, lot numbers, and case identifiers directly onto cartons and corrugated shipping cases.
Explore Material Handling & End-of-Line Automation SolutionsRelated Production Solutions
Labeling & Print-and-Apply
Explore systems that print and apply separate labels to products, packages, cases, and pallets.
Explore Labeling & Print-and-ApplyIntegrated Systems
Connect printers, product handling, sensors, data sources, cameras, rejection devices, conveyors, and production controls into a coordinated system.
Explore Integrated SystemsService & Support
Find technical support, preventive maintenance, repairs, consumables, upgrades, and help improving the performance of existing coding equipment.
Explore Service & SupportCoding & Marking FAQs
What are industrial coding and marking systems?
Industrial coding and marking systems apply changing information directly to products, components, packaging, cartons, or cases. Depending on the application, they may print dates, lot numbers, batch codes, serial numbers, barcodes, 2D codes, product identifiers, text, or simple graphics.
What is the difference between coding and marking?
The terms are often used together and may overlap. Coding generally refers to applying variable production information such as dates, lot numbers, or barcodes, while marking can also include broader identification or permanent technologies such as laser marking.
What is the difference between CIJ and TIJ printing?
Continuous inkjet uses a continuous ink circulation system and is commonly evaluated for non-contact small-character coding on moving products, including curved or irregular surfaces. Thermal inkjet uses replaceable cartridges and is often selected for higher-resolution text and machine-readable codes where print distance, product presentation, and substrate compatibility can be controlled.
When is thermal transfer overprinting used?
Thermal transfer overprinting is commonly used to print variable information on flexible packaging films and web materials. The system uses a heated printhead and ribbon, and may operate with intermittent or continuous packaging motion depending on the equipment.
When should laser marking be considered?
Laser marking may be appropriate when the application requires a permanent or durable mark and the material can produce sufficient contrast. Material testing, code requirements, production speed, laser configuration, enclosure, extraction, and safety must all be evaluated.
Can coding systems print 2D barcodes?
Many industrial coding technologies can produce 2D codes when the selected printer, resolution, substrate, code dimensions, line speed, and data system support the application. Print quality and verification requirements should be evaluated before selecting the equipment.
Can a coding system be added to an existing production line?
In many applications, coding equipment can be added to an existing packaging machine, conveyor, product-handling system, or production line. Compatibility depends on available space, product movement, line controls, code location, speed, sensors, guarding, utilities, and downstream equipment.
What materials can coding and marking equipment print on?
Depending on the technology and consumables, systems may support plastics, glass, metal, paperboard, corrugated cases, flexible films, coated materials, and other substrates. Representative samples may need to be tested to confirm adhesion, contrast, drying, durability, and machine readability.
How can a printed code be inspected or verified?
Supported systems may use sensors, cameras, barcode readers, or vision software to confirm code presence, placement, readability, or data accuracy. The appropriate inspection method depends on the code type, line speed, product presentation, verification standard, and required response to a failed code.
What is the difference between direct case coding and print-and-apply labeling?
Direct case coding prints information onto the carton or corrugated surface. Print-and-apply systems print the information onto a label and then apply that label to the case. The correct method depends on the required image, code size, substrate, contrast, label requirements, line speed, and production workflow.
Can coding equipment receive data automatically?
Some coding systems can receive job information from controllers, scanners, databases, PLCs, MES platforms, ERP systems, or other production-data sources. Compatibility must be confirmed for the selected printer, software, communication protocol, and customer system.
What information is needed to recommend a coding system?
Helpful information includes the required code, product samples, substrate, print area, line speed, product spacing, environment, code-change frequency, data source, inspection requirements, current equipment, available space, and photographs or video of the production line.
Build the Right Coding Process
Tell ATP Equipment Solutions what you need to print, what material must be marked, how the product moves, how often the data changes, and where the coded product goes next. Our team can help identify the coding and marking approach that fits the application.