If you’re a business owner who works with print materials, you should understand the jargon of this industry. Whether you’re printing on boxes, plastic, or glass bottles, familiarizing yourself with printing lingo will make communication with suppliers and customers much smoother. We’ll introduce some printing terminology everyone in the coding and marking sector should know.
Inkjet Coding
Inkjet coding is one of the most widely used techniques for marking and printing. It involves propelling droplets of ink onto a substrate to create text, graphics, or code. The technology offers an array of benefits, such as printing high-quality images quickly and minimal equipment maintenance. Here are the three main types of inkjet coding:
Thermal Inkjet (TIJ)
Thermal inkjet (TIJ) printing employs tiny resistors or heating elements within the printhead to heat the ink and generate a vapor bubble. This bubble propels a droplet of ink onto the paper or substrate. TIJ technology is primarily used for on-demand printing and offers precise results.
Continuous Inkjet (CIJ)
This method uses a continuous stream of pressurized ink, which breaks into individual droplets before electrically charging and deflecting onto the substrate. CIJ is ideal for high-volume, fast-paced production.
Drop-on-Demand (DOD)
In this technique, the system releases ink droplets only when necessary, which reduces ink waste. This method is best for low-volume applications and can produce a higher print quality than CIJ.
Barcodes
Barcodes are essential aspects of printing and labeling. They represent data and offer information about an item. These codes come in various styles like the Universal Product Code (UPC), QR code, and Code 128. Readers scan them to transmit information quickly. Understanding the difference between barcodes is vital when selecting the right one for your product or application.
Variable Data Printing
Variable data printing (VDP) is a digital printing process that enables the customization of printed materials during one print run. Instead of generating identical copies, VDP allows each printed piece to include unique information—names, addresses, or QR codes—while maintaining a foundation, like a company logo or base design. This technique is indispensable in marketing campaigns, as it allows businesses to create targeted communications that can improve engagement and response rates.
Now that you have some essential printing terms under your belt, you can navigate the world of code and marking printing! To put your newfound knowledge into practice, consider working with a reliable printing partner like Tourmaline Enterprises. Our inkjet coding and marking systems offer precise, high-quality printing tailored to your business needs. Contact us today to learn more about our systems and how we can help you achieve your printing goals.