subject: Features of Large Character Ink Jet Printers [print this page] Features of Large Character Ink Jet Printers
Improved resolution:
Offset printing offers very high resolution, which is the technology that manufacturers of pre-printed corrugated containers use. There is perceived value in such high quality, particularly if the boxes will be displayed at retail locations such as warehouse stores, where they will be seen and handled by end-user customers, thus making what is printed on the box in effect a marketing tool. However, the vast majority of boxes are never seen by end users, which means that very high resolution is probably not critical in most cases.
Conversely, the resolution of large character ink jet printers has improved greatly over the last decade. In the late 1990s, the best resolution these printers could achieve was about 64 dpi. That increased to roughly 96 to 150 dpi by 2002. Today, such printers are capable of 180 to 600 dpi with a variety of technologies. That means large character printers are now being effectively employed by product manufacturers and contract packagers to do the same work as offset printers.
The increase in resolution alone has created some compelling reasons to shift to an in-house printing model:
Space savings: For a product manufacturer adding a new product line or a contract packager taking on a new customer, a key consideration is not where all the new pre-printed corrugated boxes will be stored. Instead, the focus is on preparing the appropriate variable data, which is templated on a PC, then stored in the printer and called up as necessary. Because the variable data for multiple brands and SKUs is available virtually, the manufacturer or packager simply needs to order and store generic boxes.
Improved time to market: When a manufacturer adds a product line or makes a major change to an existing line, creating pre-printed corrugated boxes with new designs typically takes weeks. But with an in-house large character printer, design changes can be completed much faster, which can be especially beneficial for short-run projects. Plus, with variable data stored virtually for corrugated boxes, upgrades, alterations and special requests are seamless. For example, if a beer manufacturer desires to run a special promotion during a holiday or a big sporting event, the company can create a design in house and print boxes based on demand, which is more cost-effective than paying the corrugated container manufacturer to complete those tasks.
Less waste: Pre-printed boxes with "old" variable data, due to a defunct product line, a major brand change or a promotion that ended, typically become waste. With an in-house printer, adjustments to the variable data are made virtually and are printed on demand, which eliminates waste.
Easier importation of data: It's also important to note that the ability to import logos and other images to printers has improved. Five years ago, a purpose-built industrial controller was necessary for large character printers, and importing data to the printer was extremely challenging. Today, an operator can simply connect a flash drive to the printer's USB port and download images directly.
About Videojet:
Videojet Technologies Inc. is a world-leading manufacturer of coding, printing and laser marking products, fluids, and accessories for the product identification industry. As experts in continuous ink jet (CIJ), case coding, thermal transfer overprinting (TTO), array, and laser technologies, Videojet has over 275,000 units installed worldwide. Sales, service, training, administrative and application support is provided by direct operations worldwide, including Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom, with more than 250 direct sales and service personnel in the United States alone. Videojet's distribution network includes over 175 distributors and OEMs, serving 135 countries.
Statements in this release that are not strictly historical may be "forward-looking" statements, which involve risk and uncertainties. These include economic and currency conditions, market demand, pricing and competitive and technology factors, among others, as set forth in Danaher Company's SEC filings.
