Package Marking Solutions for the Packaging Industry

Print resolution of 300 dpi

Thermal transfer printing is based on a thermal printhead and thermal transfer ribbon. The printhead comprises a ceramic-glass component with 12 thermal printing dots per mm, delivering a print resolution of 300 dpi. The print information is prepared in the thermal printhead and individual printing dots are heated as required. The coloured pigment in the foil is transferred onto the printing material in the target area.

Low-cost printing of variable messages

Thermal transfer overprinters (TTO) are freely programmable and can generate variable data for each print. The high-resolution printhead enables text, graphics, batch numbers, real-time dates and bar codes to be printed. The established printing technology was developed to print directly on packaging materials.
No labels are required and the costs per print are significantly reduced.

Economical solution for the packaging industry

The DataFlex Plus works with the latest technology that only uses a minimal amount of ribbon for each print. This makes thermal transfer printers an economical solution for the flexible packaging industry. They are used for packaging coding for sachets, top foils, form fill and seal machines, packaging films, continuous films and similar products.

Flexibility in production

Using thermal transfer technology, most modern packaging materials can be marked when stationary (intermittent) or when moving (continuous). The DataFlex Plus works in either intermittent or continuous production flow.

Intermittent printing

Intermittent printing is used on lines where the web transport moves in an intermittent motion (stop/start). The dwell within the cycle is used for printing. Using a signal from the packaging machine, the real-time printi information is prepared, the printhead drops down onto an integrated back plate and is moved across the printing surface. When the print is complete, the product is released for onward transport and the printhead returns to its start position.

Continuous printing

Continuous printing is used on continuous flow lines. The packaging material is printed while the film is moving. After a signal from the packaging machine (e.g. a print mark), the printhead is pressed against the platen roller, which is integrated into the bracket frame, and printing is started. As soon as printing is finished, the printhead returns to the start position. The print speed is adjusted automatically to provide a consistently clear print image.

• High quality marking
  
• Direct printing on secondary packaging
  
• Economical solution due to optimised technology
  
• Intermittent and continuous printing