Choosing between Thermal Inkjet (TIJ) and Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) printers is crucial for achieving efficient, accurate, and cost-effective product marking. Both technologies play vital roles in modern coding and marking systems, but they differ in performance, maintenance, and printing cost.
1. Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) Technology
A Continuous Inkjet Printer (CIJ) uses a high-pressure pump to eject a continuous stream of ink droplets through a tiny nozzle. The unused ink is recirculated, ensuring stable operation for long, high-speed production runs. CIJ printers are perfect for bottle date coding, cable marking, and industrial packaging lines that demand speed and reliability.
Advantages:
Works on metal, plastic, glass, and films
Ideal for high-speed, 24/7 production lines
Compatible with various inks, including white inkjet options
Limitations:
Higher maintenance and operating costs
Requires skilled setup and periodic cleaning
2. Thermal Inkjet (TIJ) Technology
A Thermal Inkjet (TIJ) printer—especially a handheld inkjet printer—uses heat to eject ink droplets from cartridges, delivering crisp, high-resolution codes up to 600 dpi. Compact and easy to operate, TIJ printers are widely used for batch coding, expiry date printing, and variable data marking on porous or semi-porous materials such as cartons, wood, or paper packaging.
Advantages:
No maintenance, quick cartridge replacement
Environmentally friendly and low-cost
Perfect for on-demand marking and small to medium production
Limitations:
Not ideal for very high-speed lines
Ink adhesion depends on material type
3. TIJ vs CIJ: Key Comparison
Feature | TIJ Printer | CIJ Printer |
Speed | Medium | Very High |
Resolution | Up to 600 dpi | 70–120 dpi |
Maintenance | Minimal | Frequent |
Ink Cost | Low | High |
Mobility | Portable handheld inkjet printer | Fixed installation |
Best For | Cartons, labels, wood | Bottles, cables, plastics |
4. Why Choose Meenjet?
When it comes to reliable industrial coding solutions, Meenjet stands out with its advanced range of TIJ, CIJ, and laser marking machines. Meenjet’s handheld inkjet printers and continuous inkjet systems offer stable performance, high precision, and user-friendly design—making them ideal for flexible packaging, electronic components, and high-speed manufacturing lines. For permanent and consumable-free marking, Meenjet’s fiber laser marking machines deliver sharp, long-lasting results without ink or solvents.
If you need portable, low-maintenance, and high-quality printing, a Meenjet TIJ handheld inkjet printer is your best choice. For continuous high-speed production, Meenjet CIJ printers ensure consistent performance and reliability. And for durable, zero-consumable coding, Meenjet laser marking machines offer professional-grade marking precision.