Printing on Flexible Packaging

Thermal Transfer Overprinters (TTO) are the most common and reliable solution for printing on plastic film used in flexible packaging. CIJ printers are widely used when printing on plastic film after forming, such as finished bags or wrapped products. Laser marking can be used on certain coated or laser‑receptive plastic films, but it is not universally suitable.

Foil bags are most commonly printed using thermal transfer overprinters (TTO), which deliver high‑contrast, durable codes on laminated foil packaging. Continuous inkjet (CIJ) printers can also be used for printing on finished foil bags when appropriate inks are selected.

For printing on flexible films and foils, manufacturers commonly use thermal transfer overprinters (TTO), continuous inkjet (CIJ), and thermal inkjet (TIJ) for sharp variable data, barcodes, and graphics (often up to high print resolutions). Industrial laser systems are also used when a permanent, high-contrast mark is needed on suitable films and foils.

High-speed flexible film coding is best handled by thermal transfer overprinters (TTO) for ultra-fast, high-resolution printing on continuous films, continuous inkjet (CIJ) systems for non-contact coding before or after forming, and laser marking systems when permanent, high-contrast codes are required at very high line speeds.