Technology 5 min readJul 7, 2026

What Is IUT 1-Inch Printing — and When Do You Need It?

IUT 1" cartridges print a seamless one-inch-tall code in a single pass. Here is how they differ from half-inch HP 45 heads and when the extra height earns its keep.

What "IUT 1-inch" means

IUT is a 1-inch (25.4 mm) thermal inkjet cartridge technology. Where the familiar HP 45 format prints a half-inch (12.7 mm) swath, a 1" IUT cartridge lays down a full inch of print height in a single pass — a seamless tall code without stitching two heads together.

The Anser X1 controller supports HP, Brady, and IUT cartridge technologies, so you can run half-inch or 1" heads — or two 1" cartridges for a 2" high-resolution code — from the same controller.

When you actually need 1-inch print height

Taller is not automatically better — a 1" code uses more ink and is overkill for a small date stamp. Reach for 1" when the code has to be big or dense:

  • Large cases, totes, and shipping cartons where the code must be readable at a distance
  • Tall stacked content — big lot numbers plus a barcode or logo in one pass
  • GS1-grade 2D Data Matrix codes that benefit from more height and cell area
  • Applications where a single seamless swath is cleaner than stitching two half-inch heads

IUT 1" vs. half-inch vs. dual heads

A single half-inch HP 45 head is the economical default for standard date/lot codes on retail packs. A 1" IUT head gives you double the height in one seamless pass. For a full 2" you can drive two 1" cartridges together. The right choice balances how tall the code needs to be against ink cost and throughput.

Inks and where it fits in our lineup

Our Odyssey ink line comes in 1/2", 1", and 1" high-volume (160 mL) formats in both water-based and solvent chemistries, so you can match height and ink to the job. If you are deciding between a half-inch and a 1" setup, tell us your code content and substrate and we will size it with you.

Not sure which ink or method fits your line?

Tell us your substrate, line speed, and the code you need to print, and our team will help you qualify the right solution.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between HP 45 and IUT 1-inch cartridges?

HP 45 prints a half-inch (12.7 mm) tall swath; IUT is a 1-inch (25.4 mm) format that prints double the height in a single seamless pass. The Anser X1 supports both, plus dual 1" cartridges for 2" coding.

When should I use a 1-inch printhead instead of half-inch?

Use 1" when the code must be large or dense — big cases read at a distance, tall stacked lot/barcode content, or GS1 2D Data Matrix codes. For standard retail date/lot codes, a half-inch head is more economical.

Can one controller run both half-inch and 1-inch heads?

Yes. The Anser X1 supports HP, Brady, and IUT cartridge technologies, so you can run half-inch or 1" cartridges — and two 1" cartridges together for a 2" code — without changing controllers.

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