Food packaging is one of the most prevalent uses in the field of industrial printing. Food producers are commonly forced to put various markers to their products due to federal rules, merchant restrictions, and an internal need for traceability. Lot numbers, expiration dates, barcodes, and other information are all placed on customize food packaging to meet these requirements and educate customers.
A food-grade inkjet printer is specifically for the food industry and customize food packaging firms to print their logo, ingredients list, nutritional information, and other information on product packaging.
The printer should be simple to operate and sturdy enough to satisfy your high-volume requirements while also withstanding the inevitable everyday wear and tear that comes with a busy manufacturing line.
Considerations for Printing and Customize Food Packaging
When choosing a food-grade inkjet printer, it is critical to consider both printing quality and equipment durability. Look for printers that produce fine text and graphics at resolutions of up to 600 dpi. Additionally, pick a printer built of durable materials such as stainless steel, iron, or aluminum to withstand harsh industrial environments.
So, what variables will you examine when it comes to an inkjet printer for customize food packaging?
High Print Quality
Print quality is critical for customize food packaging. The product information must be visible to customers. As a result, a solid traceability system necessitates the use of an inkjet printer with high-quality output.
The packing materials also have an impact on the end product. This means that the printer’s quality is inextricably linked to its compatibility and dependability.
The ink type and cartridge should be compatible with the food packing material. High DPI (dots per inch) printers can generate high-resolution prints that withstand a variety of circumstances. They can also be more costly. Low DPI printers, on the other hand, are frequently less expensive but may not create high-quality prints.
Required Dry Time of Ink in Use
With today’s high-speed production lines and various equipment, it’s critical to understand how varying dry times may affect your operation. Codes, for example, can become unintelligible if the ink is not allowed to dry sufficiently.
In some circumstances, particularly wet ink might have drying difficulties if it is on an unsuitable substrate, which, in the worst-case scenario, could lead to food contamination if the customize food packaging fails to stand up to printing and the ink seeps in.
So, in addition to the barcode or expiration date being illegible, putting the goods in threat of not meeting regulatory standards, there is also the potential of product contamination, which will cost the corporation additional money in production.
Printing Speed
Quick turnover is essential in the food sector. If you deal with high-volume orders, your TIJ food-grade printer must be able to keep up with your output. Choose a printer with a high throughput so that delayed print output does not disrupt your business operations.
Substrates
Plastic, paper, glass, and metal are just a few of the materials utilized in the food industry. Because the packaging requirements of food goods vary greatly, producers intentionally select their materials to:
- Avoid product contamination and manipulation.
- Increase shelf life
- Provide physical security during transportation, storage, and usage.
Because of the differences in substrate qualities, it is hard to create a one-size-fits-all ink recipe. Instead, ink producers generate a wide range of inks for certain uses.
In general, porous media such as paper respond favorably to water-based inks. Water-based inks are cost-effective and dependable, and they are in by porous surfaces to generate sharp codes.
Non-porous substrates, such as plastic and metal. These are unable to absorb ink at the same pace, making them a better choice for solvent-based inks that dry quickly.
Models
Desktop variants are less costly and slower than industrial machines, having fewer maximum monthly duty cycles for continuous printing applications.
Industrial versions, on the other hand, are more expensive but print faster at huge volumes. These types are ideal for printing big quantities of the same product over a long period of time.
Each manufacturer’s model offers subtle differences in features, so do your research before deciding on the finest printer for your needs.
Contamination Avoidance
Special precautions should be made to avoid the unintended use of materials inappropriate for food packing. Only properly selected complying ink additives (adhesion promoters, foam suppressors, and others) should be used when printing with customize food packaging compatible printing inks or varnishes. To avoid unintentional usage, no additional general ink additives should be kept near the press.
Other graphic features that may be printed on top of the customize food packaging, such as digital printing or thermal transfer ribbon printing, must also be based on materials that have proven migration compliance to ensure that migration from inks or coatings in the finished pack remains within allowed limits.
The Regulation of Ink Raw Materials in the United States
The FDA controls the materials that can be used in goods (customize food packaging) that will come into contact with food in the United States. Unless documented testing indicates otherwise, any materials used in food contact applications will become part of the food.
Inks and coatings that do not come into direct contact with food are not regulated as long as there is a “functional barrier” between the food contact side and the ink or coating and the inks and coatings do not migrate to the food contact side throughout the procedure.
It is the package manufacturer’s obligation to evaluate if the structure satisfies the criteria of a functional barrier.
Key Takeaway
Manufacturers in the customize food packaging industry prioritize the greatest levels of production controls in order to safeguard the customer. Naturally, food packaging is subject to stringent regulations that apply to all packaging components of a packaged item, including the label.
It is the duty of all suppliers in the food packaging value chain to select appropriate materials for each package they manufacture. Visit Multiple Packages and get multiple types of custom boxes from here.