What is continuous inkjet printer?

Continuous inkjet printers, also known as CIJ printers, are a type of industrial printing technology used to print high-resolution text, graphics, and barcodes on a wide variety of materials, including plastics, metals, and packaging substrates. They work by generating a steady stream of ink droplets which are precisely controlled and directed onto the surface of the material being printed. The inkjet process involves a continuous flow of ink from a reservoir which is guided through a tiny nozzle, or printhead, and is charged with an electric field to generate fine droplets that are propelled onto the substrate at high speed.

One of the primary advantages of continuous inkjet printing is its flexibility in terms of ink selection and application, with systems that can handle both solvent-based and water-based inks. This flexibility makes CIJ printing an ideal choice for a range of applications, from marking and coding of products and packaging to pharmaceutical labeling, food label printing, and more.

Continuous inkjet printers also offer high speed and accuracy, with many systems capable of printing in excess of 600 meters (2,000 feet) per minute, which makes them ideal for high-volume production lines. Additionally, CIJ printers are configured to work in rugged industrial environments and feature easy-to-use, programmable software interfaces, which allows operators to quickly and easily adjust print settings to ensure optimal print quality and consistency.