Technology guide
Piezoelectric drop-on-demand (DOD) inkjet is widely used for large-character marking — the bold codes, logos, and barcodes printed on outer cases and cartons.
In a piezo printhead, an electric charge flexes a piezoelectric element to eject a precise ink droplet only when needed (drop-on-demand). Larger nozzles and valve-jet variants produce big, legible characters from a distance.
Piezo systems run a range of ink chemistries — including solvent and UV-curable — to suit porous corrugated and non-porous films.
Thermal inkjet (TIJ) overlaps with piezo for many case- and carton-coding jobs, often with simpler, lower-cost sealed cartridges and crisp high-resolution output for smaller codes and barcodes. Piezo remains the choice for the largest characters across a full case. Send us your case-coding requirement and we will help you choose.
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.
Piezo drop-on-demand inkjet is best for large-character marking on outer cases and cartons — bold lot codes, logos, and shipping barcodes printed directly onto the box.
Piezo excels at very large characters across a case, while thermal inkjet offers high-resolution codes and barcodes from low-maintenance sealed cartridges. Many case-coding needs can be met with either; the right pick depends on character size and substrate.