Common Coding and Marking Problems in Manufacturing—and How to Solve Them

In modern packaging and manufacturing lines, coding and marking machines—including batch coders, date code printers, inkjet marking systems, and laser coding equipment—are essential for product identification, traceability, and regulatory compliance. However, many manufacturers still encounter recurring operational challenges. Understanding these problems and selecting the right equipment is critical for stable production.

1. Poor Print Quality and Faded Codes

Blurry text, missing characters, or low contrast are common issues with handheld inkjet printers, continuous inkjet printers, and industrial inkjet coders.

Solution:
Use application-matched inks, perform regular nozzle cleaning, and select reliable industrial systems. Well-established solutions from Meenjet are known for stable performance and consistent print quality in demanding production environments.

2. Ink Smearing on Plastic and Bottles

Expiry date printers and inkjet bottle printers often struggle with adhesion on non-porous materials such as plastic, PET, or glass.

Solution:
Apply fast-drying inks, optimize print distance, or switch to thermal inkjet printers and Thermal Transfer Overprinters (TTO printers). For applications requiring permanent, smudge-free codes, laser coding solutions are frequently preferred.

3. High Downtime and Maintenance Costs

Clogging and unplanned stops commonly affect batch coding machines and inkjet coder machines, especially in continuous operation.

Solution:
Choose industrial continuous inkjet printers with automated cleaning and maintenance functions. Meenjet equipment is widely used on high-speed production lines due to its reliability, reduced downtime, and low failure rates.

4. Inaccurate Date or Batch Coding

Manual data entry on handheld coding machines increases the risk of incorrect date codes or batch numbers.

Solution:
Implement automatic batch coding machines, PLC integration, or variable data printing machines to ensure accurate and consistent code dates throughout production.

5. High Consumable Expenses

Ink and ribbon consumption can significantly increase operating costs in ink marking systems.

Solution:
Consider fiber laser marking machines, CO₂ laser marking machines, or UV laser marking machines, which operate without inks or ribbons and deliver permanent codes. Desktop fiber laser and flying laser marking machines are especially suitable for high-volume production lines.

Conclusion

By selecting the right industrial marking solutions—from portable inkjet printers to advanced laser marking machines—manufacturers can reduce downtime, improve code quality, and meet regulatory requirements more efficiently. Proven solutions from Meenjet offer long-term performance, stability, and value for modern industrial marking systems.