Learn about the different kinds of equipment available for marking products and labeling containers of all sizes, shapes, and surfaces.

1. From the
Product Identification Network
MARKING, CODING & LABELING
SOLUTIONS

2. ABOUT THE PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION NETWORK
The Product Identification Network consists of a select group of
independently owned, longstanding companies that distribute
marking, coding and labeling solutions from the top manufacturers
in the world including:
•Zebra
•Linx
•CTM
•InkJet, Inc.
• Videojet/Marsh
• Matthews
• Loveshaw
• Hitachi
• ITW/FoxJet

3. HIGH RESOLUTION
INKJET
High-resolution, industrial inkjet
printers offer a flexible printing
solution for marking on corrugated
cases, bags and other porous and
semi-porous substrates. A high-
resolution inkjet printer can be
used to print alpha-numeric code,
bar codes and logos.
This technology is a cost-savings
alternative to pre-printed labels
and/or pre-printed boxes. These
printheads are offered in a number
of sizes to meet a variety of printing
applications including tray packs
and other short or hard-to-mark
packages. The easy user interface
allows for printing auto codes
including date, time, shift, etc.

4. DROP-ON-DEMAND
INKJET
Drop-on-demand inkjet is
considered a large character
inkjet printing method, and can be
used for printing on both porous
and non-porous substrates.
Alpha-numeric code and simple
graphics can be printed easily in a
wide variety of sizes and colors
because of the large selection of
printhead sizes and ink types
available in the drop-on-demand
inkjet category.

5. INDUSTRIAL LASER
PRINTERS &
MARKERS
Laser marking is suited for
marking simple codes on glass,
plastic, paper, cardboard, chip
board and other surfaces.
Typically laser printers are used
to print text, graphics and Data
Matrix codes.
An industrial laser printer is
considered a cleaner and more
eco-friendly alternative to inkjet
because there no inks or solvents
required. Because there are no
fluids to buy, there is a long-term
cost savings associated with laser
printing.

6. THERMAL
TRANSFER
OVERPRINTERS
Thermal transfer overprinters are
used to print on many types of
flexible packaging materials and
some rigid substrates as well.
Thermal transfer technology allows
for continuous or intermittent
printing of date codes, batch codes,
bar codes, text and other graphics.
This printing technology is ideal
when the print quality of thermal
transfer printing is required in-line
for printing of variable information
and real-time data. With this
technology, a thermal printhead
transfers heat through thermal
transfer ribbon to mark the
substrate clearly and quickly.

7. SMALL CHARACTER
INKJET
Small character inkjet printers, also
known as continuous inkjet, offer non-
contact high-speed printing of date,
time, batch codes, logos and text. This
type of printer is ideal for printing in
tight spots that may be round or
irregularly shaped at speeds upwards of
5 meters per second or greater than
1500 characters per second.
These are typically used to print on
primary products such as bottles, cans
and individual food packages. In
addition to satisfying many applications
within the food and beverage sector, this
is the best ink jet printer type for
printing individually manufactured
pieces from personal care items and
pharmaceuticals to cable and wire and
other building materials. It is also
commonly used for marking electronics
and automotive parts.

8. LABEL PRINTERS &
APPLICATORS
Label printer applicator machines
satisfy a number of product
identification needs. They can be
used to label primary products,
secondary packaging and pallets.
In all cases, they all reduce costs
associated with hand applying
labels by doing it in-line
automatically.
Apply pre-printed labels to a
variety of surfaces with tamp,
blow or wipe applicator
configurations with label
applicator machines. Or print and
apply labels in-line with
automated printer applicators.

9. THERMAL INKJET
PRINTERS
Thermal inkjet utilizes thermal
inkjet cartridges housed in a
durable chassis to withstand most
industrial packaging applications
and associated environments.
There are a number of ink types
available for thermal inkjet printing
which allow this typically small
industrial inkjet printer to be used
for printing on a variety of porous
and non-porous surfaces.
Thermal inkjet printers can print
alpha numeric characters, bar codes
and graphics in a number of
different sizes, making this printing
technology extremely flexible, easy
to use and economical.

10. CASE SEALERS &
ERECTORS
Case erectors and sealers save time and
labor, improving end-of-line efficiencies.
Case erectors, also referred to as case
formers and carton formers, are
available in automatic and semi-
automatic varieties. Both varieties offer
multiple configurations to suit differing
packaging needs. Many case erectors
accommodate multiple sized boxes,
offering a flexible solution for common
carton forming applications.
Case sealers are also available as
automatic and semi-automatic, and
typically accommodate multiple sized
boxes as well. Case sealers are easy to
load and operate and require very little
training to run.
Both case erectors and sealers offer a
fast and efficient way to prepare boxes
for filling and close them afterwards

11. MEMBERS OF THE PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION
NETWORK INCLUDE:
• Industrial & Shippers Supply
• Label House
• Maine Shipping
• MarkPack Inc.
• Marktec Products, Inc.
• Marsh Micro Systems
• Raab Sales
• ShipPac
• SSI Packaging
• Alpha Industrial Supplies
• BOEHM Inc.
• CalPack
• CodeMark Systems
• Colorado Scale Center
• Diversified Packaging Group
• George R. Douglas &
Associates
• High Mark
• IMS - Partners

12. FOR MORE INFORMATION:
• Visit the Product Identification Network website
http://www.productidnetwork.com/
• Locate a Distributor near you
http://www.productidnetwork.com/distributorlocator