Technology guide
Laser coding marks products with a focused beam instead of ink, producing permanent, tamper-evident codes with no consumable fluids.
A coding laser (commonly CO2 or fiber) steers a focused beam across the surface to ablate, engrave, or change the color of the material, forming permanent characters. There is no ink, ribbon, or make-up fluid to replenish.
Substrate matters: different laser sources suit different materials — cartons and coated stock, certain plastics, glass, and metals each respond differently.
Laser gives a permanent, consumable-free mark, while thermal inkjet (TIJ) offers low up-front cost, easy substrate flexibility, and high-resolution printing by simply swapping a cartridge. Many plants run TIJ for everyday coding and reserve laser for permanence or anti-counterfeit needs. Tell us your goal and we will help you weigh them.
TIJ Print Solutions specializes in thermal inkjet. We’re happy to help you choose the right technology for your line — even when that conversation starts here. .
Tell us your product, substrate, and line speed and we’ll help you weigh the options — and show you where thermal inkjet is the simplest, lowest-maintenance fit.
Laser coding produces permanent, tamper-evident marks with no ink, ribbon, or make-up fluid, runs at high speed, and is well suited to anti-counterfeit and traceability applications.
Choose laser for permanent, consumable-free marks or anti-counterfeit needs. Choose thermal inkjet (TIJ) for lower up-front cost, easy substrate changes, and high-resolution printing from a simple cartridge swap. Many lines use both.