How a TIJ date coder marks your packaging

In a TIJ date coder, a small heater in each nozzle heats the ink until a bubble forms and ejects a drop. The nozzles are part of the ink cartridge, so every new cartridge comes with new nozzles. The cartridge is positioned 1–2 mm from the surface on the GT-100E and 1–5 mm on the ST-210S models. As the package moves by, the ink drops create the text, barcode, or logo.

The code forms as the print head and the product move past each other. On a conveyor, the print head stays in place while the package moves by at a set distance. With the GT-100E handheld inkjet printer, you hold the device flat against the box, pipe, or part and move it across the surface. The print is built column by column; the GT-100E’s built-in encoder tracks movement, so your stroke speed does not have to be exact, but the printer must stay flat on the surface.

The gap between the cartridge and the surface is important because the ink drops travel through the air. If the gap is too wide, the drops spread and the code edges become fuzzy or blurred. On a line, guide plates keep each package 1–5 mm from the nozzle. If a box drifts away from the guide or the surface is uneven, the code may be faint or incomplete. In handheld use, the printer must remain flat on the surface throughout the print, keeping the 1–2 mm distance.

Without an encoder, the printer uses a fixed line speed set on its screen. If the conveyor slows or stops, the code stretches or shrinks, and barcode bars may become unreadable. An encoder measures the actual movement of the goods, so the code stays the correct length even if the speed changes. For items moved by hand or lines that start and stop, an encoder is needed to keep every code the right size.

A photo eye is installed before the print head and signals the printer when a package is approaching. A delay set on the printer determines how far from the front edge of the package the code begins. If two packages touch as they pass the photo eye, the printer sees them as one long package and only prints one code. Each package needs a clear gap before and after it.

On ST-210S models, input options let you reverse or invert the print, so the code reads correctly if the head is mounted on the opposite side of the line or if the line runs in reverse. When printing on film or metal, the code needs a moment to dry, so nothing should touch it immediately after printing.

Choosing between a handheld inkjet printer and a fixed industrial inkjet printer

The GT-100E is a handheld inkjet printer with a battery, ideal for marking boxes, pipes, or parts manually. It can also be mounted on a line for automatic operation. The ST-210S-H1 and ST-210S-H2 are fixed on the conveyor, with one or two print heads and a separate controller.

The GT-100E features a 5-inch touchscreen and battery operation, while the fixed models have a 7-inch screen, network port, and more input/output options. The ST-210S-H2 has two print heads, allowing for codes up to 25.4 mm high in one block or marking two sides at once. As a date coder on a packing line, a fixed model marks every box as it passes, with no need for manual handling.

A handheld inkjet printer like the GT-100E is used when products are not moving on a conveyor. For example, large pipes, metal profiles, or panels stored on racks can be marked while stationary. Boxes already stacked on a pallet or stored on the floor can be coded without moving them to a line. The printer is brought to each item, so there is no need for a conveyor or fixed coding station.

Handheld use is also suitable for small batches or when many different products are coded in a day. You enter the text on the screen, print the code on the product, and move to the next item. There is no need to set up a line or adjust guides. One printer can serve multiple workstations, such as goods receiving and shipping, by moving it as needed.

When using the GT-100E by hand, keep it flat against the surface and move it in one steady motion, so the nozzle stays 1–2 mm from the surface. On a pipe, move the printer along its length, where the distance remains constant. If the printer tilts or lifts, the code may become slanted or incomplete.

A fixed industrial inkjet printer like the ST-210S-H1 or ST-210S-H2 is used when every package passes the same point on a conveyor. The code is printed in the same spot on each package, and no one needs to hold the printer. The ST-210S models can receive data from your system via the network port, so you do not have to enter text on the screen.

The GT-100E can also be mounted on a line with an external photo eye and encoder, which is suitable for a small line or a line under construction. Compared to the ST-210S models, it does not offer 600 DPI, a network port, a 7-inch screen, or a second print head. The GT-100E’s removable battery allows you to swap in a charged spare during a shift.

The main factors to consider are whether your products move on a conveyor or remain stationary, how many packages you need to code each day, if the code changes from one package to another and where that data comes from, and whether you need the code in one location or two.

Key differences: GT-100E, ST-210S-H1, and ST-210S-H2

The table below compares the three thermal inkjet printers: GT-100E, ST-210S-H1, and ST-210S-H2. It shows the type and number of print heads, print height, resolution, speed, printing distance, screen size, data ports, power supply, cartridge type, dimensions, and warranty.

When reviewing the comparison table, start by looking at the printer type and print height. If you need codes taller than 12.7 mm or need to print in two places on the same package, only the ST-210S-H2 meets those needs. Next, check the resolution: small barcodes and 2D codes like DataMatrix require high resolution, which the ST-210S models provide with up to 600 × 600 DPI. For data connections, if you need to send data from your own system over a network port, you will need an ST-210S printer. The GT-100E receives data via USB and RS232 and is also the only model that can run on a battery.

What a date coder prints on your packaging

All three models print text, time and date, shift codes, serial numbers, and logos, so each can be used as an expiry date printer. Supported barcodes include CODE39, CODE128, EAN13, EAN14, and UPCA; supported 2D codes include QR code, GS1 DataMatrix, MicroQR, and PDF417.

Fields can be filled from a database, so the inkjet date coder can print batch numbers or product details that change from one package to another.

The date and time printed on each package are taken from the printer’s internal clock. This means the date field updates automatically at midnight, so you do not need to enter the date manually every day. If the clock is set incorrectly, every package will show the wrong date. After setup, always check both the clock and the date format to make sure they match your packaging requirements.

A shift code changes based on the time of day, so the code shows which shift packed the goods. Counters can be set to increase with each print, creating a unique serial number for every package or counting the number of packages in a batch. The ST-210S models can manage more than 20 separate counters, for example, one for each product or shift.

EAN13 and UPCA are used on retail packages for consumer scanning, while EAN14 is for outer cartons. CODE128 is common in logistics, and NVE18, the German term for SSCC, is used to number shipping units like pallets. A 2D code such as a QR code can hold a website address or batch record, and GS1 DataMatrix is used when you need to include the product number, batch, and expiry date in a single small code.

Within the 12.7 mm print height of one head, you can set up several lines, for example, a best-before date, batch number, and time in two or three lines.

How an industrial inkjet printer works on a conveyor

On a production line, the print head is mounted on a bracket next to the conveyor, 1–5 mm from the package. Guide plates keep products aligned and prevent them from touching the nozzle. A photo eye detects each package, and an encoder monitors the conveyor speed to ensure the code is the correct length.

The print head can mark either the side or the top of each package. For side printing, the package moves along a guide rail, keeping it at a steady distance of 1–5 mm from the print head. For top printing, all packages must be the same height, since a shorter package will pass too far from the head and the code will be faint.

Guide plates before the print head align each package and are set 0.5–2.5 mm from it, so if a box is bulging or not fully closed, it touches the plate, not the nozzle. The ST-210S print heads can also be equipped with anti-collision parts for lines where package shapes vary.

At 600 DPI, the ST-210S printers can print up to 60 m/min, so any packing line running slower than this can use the highest resolution for sharp codes. If your line is faster, you will need to use a lower resolution: 300 DPI allows speeds up to 120 m/min.

The alarm light output connects to a lamp or sends a signal to the line control, so any fault is detected immediately, not after a full pallet of uncoded packages. External text selection allows the line control to choose which stored message the printer uses, which is helpful when one line handles several products. The serial number output passes the printed number to the line system.

With the ST-210S-H2, the two heads can be stacked to print a block up to 25.4 mm high, for example a large date with a batch line, or they can be separated so one head marks the top and the other the side of a package in a single pass.

Choosing a thermal inkjet printer or another coder

Thermal inkjet is one of several ways to code packaging. Its sealed cartridges have built-in nozzles, so this type of inkjet coding machine requires little maintenance; its main limitation is the short 1–5 mm distance between the cartridge and the package. Continuous inkjet printers use a constant stream of drops and recycle unused ink. They can print from farther away and on curved surfaces, but require make-up fluid in addition to ink and need more upkeep.

A laser coder marks the package by burning or removing a thin layer, with no ink involved. Labels are a better option when the text is long, the surface cannot accept ink, or the code must be ready before packing; a labeling machine applies pre-printed labels. The thermal inkjet printers on this page are ideal when you need direct marking on packaging, with codes up to 25.4 mm high and options for handheld or fixed installation.

In daily operation, a thermal inkjet printer does not require the start-up and shut-down process of a continuous inkjet printer: there is no ink system to flush, and changing a cartridge takes about a minute. Each new cartridge brings new nozzles, so print quality stays consistent. By contrast, a continuous inkjet printer circulates ink through pumps and filters that need regular maintenance, including cleaning, replacing filters, and managing make-up fluid.

The main limitations of this technology are print height and the distance to the package. The print heads here cover 12.7 mm each, so large characters on big outer cartons require two heads or a different technology. The short distance to the package means it is difficult to mark deep recesses or highly curved surfaces. Coding inside a deep tray or around a small round bottle is therefore challenging.

Continuous inkjet is usually chosen for very fast lines and for round products like cans and bottles, since it can print from farther away and mark curved surfaces.

A laser code cannot be rubbed off and does not require ink, but the laser must be compatible with the material being marked. Fumes produced by the laser need to be extracted from the workspace, and the upfront cost of a laser coder is generally higher than that of a thermal inkjet printer. Laser marking is chosen when permanent codes are needed and the material allows for it.

Thermal transfer overprinters use a ribbon to print on flexible film and are typically integrated into bagging or flow wrapping machines. For film packaging made on these machines, they are the standard solution. When the surface is flat, such as on cartons or trays, the code height is no more than 25.4 mm, and the line speed supports the required resolution, a thermal inkjet printer is an easy date coder to maintain.

Selecting the right ink for your packaging

The ink for a thermal inkjet printer must be suitable for the surface. Porous materials like carton, paper, and untreated wood absorb water-based ink. Sealed surfaces such as plastic film, metal, glass, and coated boxes require solvent-based ink that dries on the surface.

On dark surfaces, a light-colored ink like white remains visible, and invisible ink appears only under UV light. If the ink may come into contact with food, a food-grade ink is required, so choose the cartridge based on both the product and the surface.

Always test the ink on your actual packaging before starting production. Print a code, let it dry, and rub it with your thumb. If the code smears or fades, try a different ink type or treat the surface.

Plastic films can differ: some accept ink well, while others have a smooth surface that resists ink. Your film supplier can confirm if the surface is treated for printing.

Wet, cold, or oily surfaces do not hold ink well. Condensation on a package coming from a cold room prevents ink drops from sticking, so print before refrigeration or dry the surface first. Solvent inks dry fast on film, metal, and glass, but also dry quickly in the nozzles, so remove and seal the cartridge if the printer will be idle for a while.

Food-grade ink is necessary for codes printed directly on food, like eggs, or when the ink could touch the product. A code on a sealed outer carton does not contact food, so standard ink is suitable.

Black ink provides the highest contrast on white or brown cartons. Cartridges have an expiration date, so only purchase what you will use before then and store spare cartridges sealed, in a cool, dry place.

Inks and cartridges for your industrial inkjet printer

These printers use 42 ml cartridges equipped with a contactless RFID chip. The chip identifies the ink type and tracks usage. Available ink types include food-grade, water-based, oily, mild solvent, and solvent inks.

You can select from black, white, red, yellow, blue, green, invisible, and UV inks. The manufacturer lists carton, plastic, metal, sheet, pipe, stone, cable, glass, electronic components, auto parts, and both industrial and food packaging as compatible surfaces.

Since the chip records ink usage, the operator can replace the cartridge before the code quality drops during production.

When changing a cartridge, stop printing, remove the old cartridge at an angle, and insert the new one at the same angle. Clean the nozzle plate with a lint-free cloth to remove dust or dried ink, and print a test code to check print quality.

The ST-210S-H2 uses two cartridges, one for each print head. Keep at least one spare cartridge per print head at the line to avoid delays. When ordering a printer, specify what you will print on and if the ink may contact food, so the correct cartridge is provided. If your line packs products in different materials, like carton and film, keep both ink types at the line and clearly label which cartridge is for each product.

What a code on packaging must do

A code on a package serves two main purposes. A date and batch code allow you to trace every package back to its production run, which is essential if a batch needs to be identified later. A serial number or QR code can go further and identify each individual package.

When a scanner reads the code later in the process, the code must be clear and large enough. Choose the resolution and code height based on the scanner, and test them on your actual packaging before starting production.

Most prepacked food in the EU must carry a best-before or use-by date and a lot mark for traceability. Retailers often require a barcode on outer cartons to support warehouse and store logistics. If a code is missing or unreadable, the package may be rejected or need to be relabeled by hand.

Place the code on a flat, smooth area, away from folds, flaps, seams, and glue lines, and always in the same spot on every package. This helps both people and scanners find the code quickly. A barcode needs strong contrast: a dark code on a light background, a clear margin around it, and bars that are not smudged. Print at a resolution high enough for the bar width you require.

Check the code at the point where it will be read: after stretch wrapping, after cold storage, or after transport. A code that looked clear at the printer may be rubbed off or covered later.

A batch code is only useful if it is recorded, so link each batch code to the date, the line, the shift, and the raw material batches. This way, any complaint or recall can be limited to the affected packages. Write the date in the format your market uses and keep it consistent for all products. Dates that can be read in two ways, such as day and month reversed, are a common source of complaints.

Operating cost of a thermal inkjet printer

Ink consumption depends on code height, text amount, and print resolution. The cost per print is the cartridge price divided by the number of codes it produces. The GT-100E displays the printing cost on its screen. The ink cartridge tracks usage, so you can monitor consumption directly on the printer.

To determine your actual operating cost, print your real code on your packaging for a set time, check the printer for ink used, and count the prints. This shows how many codes you get per cartridge. Ink use decreases with lower resolution, fewer characters, smaller text, and no logo, so print at the lowest resolution that still gives a readable code and leave out unnecessary fields.

With this technology, there is no make-up fluid, filter, or pump to maintain. Ink is wasted if a cartridge remains open in a printer that is idle, as the nozzles can dry out and print poorly. Also consider the cost of poor codes: packages that need to be recoded or labeled by hand, batches that cannot be traced, or customer complaints.

What determines the price of a date coder

The price of a date coder depends on whether it is a handheld inkjet printer or a fixed model, the number of print heads, print resolution, and maximum code height. A network port for data from your own system also increases the price.

The current price for each thermal inkjet printer is shown on its product card above. All models include a 12-month warranty.

A complete coding station on a line includes more than just the printer. You will need a bracket, guide plates, a photo eye, and, if the speed varies, an encoder. Use the Get offer button to ask which of these parts are included with the printer and which need to be ordered separately. Request the price of spare cartridges with your quote as well, since they determine the long-term operating cost.

The ST-210S-H2 can code two locations on a package using one controller and one screen, so you only need to set up and maintain one machine instead of two. To request a quote for a printer with a supply of cartridges, use the Get offer button on the product card. The Add to inquiry button lets you group several products into a single request.

What to review before placing your order

Before ordering a thermal inkjet printer, check the surface you need to print on and the type of ink required, the code height, the line speed, and the resolution. Decide where the code should appear on the package, such as the top, side, or both. Make sure there is a stable spot for the bracket and a 1–5 mm gap to the product. Confirm where the data will come from, either the screen or your own system.

You will need a dedicated outlet, proper grounding, and ideally a UPS. The comparison table above shows which printer matches your code height, speed, data connections, and number of print heads.

Write down exactly what the code needs to include, such as the date and its format, batch number, time or shift, counters, barcode type, and number of lines. Make sure all this fits within 12.7 mm per head or 25.4 mm with two heads.

Measure your production line: its minimum and maximum speed, whether it stops and starts (if so, you’ll need an encoder), the gap between packages, and whether the packages move along a rail. Decide which side of the line the code will be printed from. Printing from above requires packages of the same height, while side printing needs a rail to keep the distance constant. Also note the narrowest and widest package, since the rail must hold both at the same distance from the print head.

Check the room where the printer will be used: these printers operate at 0–45 °C and 30–70% relative humidity. Dust, splashes, and condensation from cold rooms require extra attention. Decide who will operate the printer, who will change cartridges, and who will edit the text. The screen supports over 40 languages, so you can set it up for your team.

Installing and maintaining a batch coding machine

Install the batch coding machine on its own grounded outlet, not shared with other devices. Use a UPS if possible. Mount the bracket securely to prevent vibration, and fit guide plates with 0.5–2.5 mm clearance to keep products from hitting the nozzle.

Insert and remove cartridges at an angle. Never remove a cartridge while the printer is running, and never plug or unplug cables while the printer is on.

At the start of each shift, wipe the nozzle plate with a lint-free cloth, print a test code, and check the first packages for print quality. At the end of the shift or before any long stop, remove the cartridge and close it. This prevents the nozzles from drying out and helps the next shift start with a clean print.

Always use a lint-free cloth to clean the nozzle plate. Paper tissues leave fibers and fingers leave grease, which can clog the nozzles. Do not touch the nozzles or the cartridge’s electrical contacts; hold the cartridge by its body.

A faint or broken code usually means the nozzles are dried out or dusty, or the distance to the package is too great. If the code is too long or too short, check the speed setting or the encoder. If the code appears in the wrong place, check the delay after the photo eye.

Keep the print head and controller away from dust, splashes, and vibration, and route the cable to the print head where products cannot snag it. Keep a brief log of cartridge changes and the number of codes printed per cartridge. This shows your actual cost per code and helps you spot if a cartridge is running out sooner than expected.

Frequently asked questions about thermal inkjet printers

What is the maximum code height with these thermal inkjet printers?

The GT-100E and ST-210S-H1 can print up to 12.7 mm high. The ST-210S-H2 with two heads can print a single code up to 25.4 mm or mark two locations at once.

How fast can the production line run with these printers?

At 90 DPI, all three models print at up to 406 m/min, and at 300 DPI up to 120 m/min. At 600 DPI, which only the ST-210S printers support, the line can run up to 60 m/min.

Can these printers print QR codes and barcodes?

Yes. All three models print barcodes such as CODE39, CODE128, EAN13, EAN14, and UPCA, as well as 2D codes like QR code, GS1 DataMatrix, MicroQR, and PDF417. The data can come from a counter, the clock, or a database.

What temperature and humidity ranges can these printers handle?

The operating environment is 0–45 °C and 30–70% relative humidity. This applies to all three models.