X1 Lite + T2 Standard
One line, coding upstream of the chiller: ½" or 1" codes from a 7" touchscreen controller.
- Code height
- ½" or 1"
- Resolution and speed
- 600 × 600 dpi at ½" · 60 m/min at 300 dpi
- Screen
- 7" touchscreen at the operator station
By job
Cold chain & frozen packaging coding
Date and lot codes that don't smear on chilled and frozen packs: the right ink, coded at the right point on the line.
Cold-chain codes fail for two reasons. A chilled or frozen surface pulls moisture out of the air and forms a film of condensation, and ink laid on a wet surface won't bond; it beads or runs. And cold slows how inks set, so a code that dries fine at room temperature can still be wet at the next contact point on a refrigerated line.
The fix is the right ink, applied at the right point in the process. With a fast-setting solvent ink and the coder upstream of the cold, thermal inkjet handles cold-chain date and lot coding cleanly, from sealed cartridges with almost no scheduled maintenance.
What this job needs
- Code before the product gets cold. The most reliable move: mark at ambient temperature, upstream of the chiller or freezer tunnel, so the ink sets on a warm, dry surface and is fully cured before condensation forms.
- A fast-setting solvent ink. Solvent inks set quickly and resist moisture and handling far better than water-based inks. Most freezer packs are non-porous film, foil or coated board, where Odyssey solvent ink is the starting point.
- A dry code zone if the product is already cold. If you must code cold product, knock down condensation, keep the code zone dry, and give the ink extra time before the next handling step.
- The coder on the warm side of the line. Every Anser NexGen printer is rated to operate from 0 °C (32 °F) in non-condensing air. Mount the coder in the ambient part of the line, not inside the freezer.
- A wet thumb-rub, not just a dry one. Confirm the cured code survives a wet thumb-rub on your own pack. Tell us your substrate and where the coder sits relative to the chiller, and we'll help you pick the ink and the coding position.
- Water-based ink only where it stays dry. Porous outer cases that stay dry can still run Odyssey water-based ink, including the 160 mL cartridge. Packs that meet condensation need a solvent ink.
Best for this job
Pre-set for this job: ½" codes, balanced cost. All of these run Odyssey solvent ink.
A1
Everything in one unit with a 5" touchscreen; runs solvent cartridges at ½" or 1".
- Code height
- ½" or 1"; 2" with two stitched
- Resolution and speed
- 600 dpi at ½" · 60 m/min at 300 dpi
- Screen
- 5" touchscreen built in
Smart Printhead
A ½" unit with no controller that builds into packaging machinery ahead of the freezer. Run it from a browser or the NexLink app (Android).
- Code height
- ½" (2" with four)
- Resolution and speed
- 600 × 600 dpi · 60 m/min at 300 dpi
- Screen
- None: a browser or the NexLink app
Also fits
Washdown areas, two lines, or outer cases.
X1 + Type-HWet processing areas, or two lines from one controller: an IP66 controller housing.
X1 Lite + T2XL · 160 mLHigh-volume runs, in solvent ink for packs, or water-based for dry outer cases, with 4× the ink of a standard cartridge, at 300 × 600 dpi.Coding in a wet area? Find your system with “Wet or dusty area” set →
Support behind the line
We supply the Anser printers, the Odyssey inks and the on-site technical support behind them, and we work alongside your distributor, who handles the quote and local service. In cold chain, where the coder sits matters as much as the ink, so before you buy, we'll help you work out both on your own line. Every Anser NexGen printer carries a 5-year warranty, honored by TPS.
Frequently asked questions
Why do my codes smear on frozen packaging?
Usually condensation. A chilled surface forms a film of moisture that stops ink from bonding, and cold also slows setting. Code before the pack is chilled, or dry the surface and use a fast-setting solvent ink.
Should I code before or after freezing?
Before, whenever possible. Marking at ambient temperature upstream of the freezer lets the ink set on a warm, dry surface and fully cure before condensation forms.
Are water-based inks ever OK for cold chain?
On porous board that stays dry, they can work. For non-porous freezer film and coated packaging that meet condensation, solvent inks are far more reliable.
Can I put the coder inside a freezer or cold room?
Keep it out of the freezer. Every Anser NexGen printer is rated to operate from 0 °C (32 °F) in non-condensing air, so mount the coder in the ambient part of the line and code before the product goes cold.
How do I know the code will hold up?
Test it on your own pack: let the code cure, then give it a wet thumb-rub, not just a dry one, and check it after the pack has been through your chiller or freezer. Tell us your substrate and line layout and we'll help you set the test up.
Can thermal inkjet print barcodes on frozen food packs?
Yes. The printers print dates, lot codes, counters and barcodes, including GS1 DataBar, QR and GS1 Data Matrix. Code before the cold, so the barcode prints on a dry surface and scans cleanly.
Related reading
Ready to spec your line?
Request a QuoteA TPS coding specialist will contact you, then connect you with the right distributor.