Date and lot codes are a huge aspect of a product’s package and presentation to the consumer. They are typically required in food and beverage packaging for consumer safety purposes but they are also common in any industry with stringent quality assurance standards and traceability requirements.When considering bottle coding, it is important that you understand the best print position to install your printer based on your selected inkjet date coder and current equipment setup. Below are more details on the three most common print positions for bottle coding.
Printhead Facing Downward or Top Down
This specific print position for bottle coding allows for bottles to pass through the machine while standing upright to have the cap or lid printed with the date or lot code. This is a common print position for date and lot codes - however, some customers opt not to print here in case the cap or lid gets separated from the container and product.
Printhead Facing Horizontal
This is likely the most common date and lot code print position for most CPG manufacturers. The inkjet coder printhead is positioned to point at the side of the bottle to print the code. However, depending on your chosen inkjet coding technology this might not be the best option for you if your container is round or has an uneven surface.
Printhead Facing Upward
If you are looking for a position that can be used for numerous bottle sizes and shapes, this might be just the right option for you. This print position allows for bottle coding to be done on the bottom of the product packaging. Typically, this requires the use of a bottomless conveyor or side belt conveyor so you can install the printhead underneath to date code the product as it passes over the top. Depending on your chosen inkjet coding technology, there may be some limitations to printing in this position since the ink is flowing against gravity.
All these print positions allow for the lot and date codes to be successfully printed on the bottle in a way that aesthetically appeals to the customer and allows all the information to be presented. While there are a few other options, these are the three most common print positions for bottle coding.
Take a closer look at these three options to determine which one is the perfect choice for your product. Once you have made that decision, explore our website here at Sneed Coding Inc. to see all the equipment options available for purchase. Need something smaller and more affordable? No worries—we have our very own handheld portable printer. We’re sure you’ll find an option to fit whatever your printing needs are! And, remember to #KeepCodingSimple!
