In the pharmaceutical industry, ensuring the authenticity, safety, and traceability of products is more important…
Looking to invest in a Continuous Inkjet Printer (CIJ) in 2025? With advancements in coding and marking technology, CIJ printers remain a top choice for high-speed, non-contact printing on various substrates. Whether you’re in the food & beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, or industrial sector, selecting the right CIJ printer ensures seamless production, durable prints, and regulatory compliance. This guide will help you understand the key factors to consider before making your purchase in 2025.
What is a Continuous Inkjet Printer?
A Continuous Inkjet Printer is a type of industrial printer that propels tiny ink droplets continuously from a printhead to create characters, symbols, logos, barcodes, or QR codes—without touching the product surface. It is widely used for printing on fast-moving products like bottles, cans, cables, cartons, and tubes.
CIJ printers are designed for 24/7 operation, handling high production volumes while delivering durable and legible codes on various materials, including plastic, metal, glass, and flexible packaging.
Why Choose CIJ Printers in 2025?
The demand for traceability, compliance, and automation is higher than ever. Here’s why CIJ printers are still the top choice in 2025:
- Non-contact printing even on uneven or curved surfaces
- High-speed operation ideal for fast production lines
- Low downtime and long intervals between maintenance
- Multi-substrate compatibility
- Permanent and readable prints in extreme environments
Features of CIJ Printer
When choosing a CIJ printer, consider these essential features:
| Feature | Description |
| Print Speed | Choose printers that support high-speed printing up to 400 m/min |
| Ink Type | Solvent-based, MEK-based, or eco-friendly inks depending on substrate |
| Nozzle Size | Typically 60–70 microns; choose based on required print clarity |
| Throw Distance | Capability to print from 2mm to 25mm for irregular surfaces |
| Message Storage | Capacity to store 1000+ print jobs for dynamic operations |
| IP Rating | IP55 or IP65 ensures protection in dusty or wet environments |
| User Interface | Touchscreen or keypad interface with multilingual support |
| Connectivity | USB, Ethernet, or Industry 4.0 integration (e.g., OPC-UA) |
Ink Compatibility & Types
CIJ printers support various ink types depending on the substrate:
- MEK-based inks – Best for plastic, glass, and metal
- Alcohol-based inks – Suitable for food & beverage
- UV-curable inks – Ideal for tamper-proof coding
- Pigmented inks – For high-contrast and dark surfaces
Tip: Always verify ink adhesion on your specific material before finalizing the purchase.
Looking for the best CIJ solution for your industry? Get in touch with our experts today for a custom recommendation!
Maintenance & Support
CIJ printers require regular servicing for optimum performance. In 2025, many modern CIJ printers include:
- Self-cleaning printheads
- Automatic nozzle flushing
- Predictive maintenance alerts
- Tool-free filter replacement
Ensure the manufacturer provides local support, readily available spares, and remote troubleshooting assistance.
Industry Applications
CIJ printers are suitable for:
- Food & Beverage – Date coding, batch marking on bottles, cans
- Pharmaceuticals – High-resolution printing of barcodes, expiry dates
- Automotive & Electronics – Wire, cable, and component coding
- FMCG & Packaging – Carton marking, logo printing, QR code generation
Trending CIJ Technologies in 2025
- Smart Ink Systems – Automatic ink level detection and alerts
- Eco-Solvent Inks – Reduced VOC emissions for green manufacturing
- Industry 4.0 Integration – Real-time data, remote diagnostics, and IoT sync
- Compact & Modular Designs – Easy integration and space-saving
- Touchscreen UIs – More intuitive and faster job creation
Cost of CIJ Printer
The cost of a Continuous Inkjet Printer in 2025 varies based on configuration and brand:
| Category | Price Range (Approx.) |
| Entry-Level CIJ Printer | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| Mid-Range CIJ Printer | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| High-End CIJ Printer | $10,000 – $20,000+ |
Also consider:
- Total cost of ownership (TCO)
- Ink & consumables cost
- Service and AMC packages
Checklist Before Buying
- Production speed and volume
- Type of surfaces to print on
- Number of lines or characters per print
- Power consumption
- Operating environment (temperature, humidity, dust)
- After-sales service and local support availability
- Integration with existing production lines
Frequently Asked Questions
CIJ (Continuous Inkjet) uses a continuous stream of ink and is ideal for high-speed printing. TIJ (Thermal Inkjet) is more suited for smaller batches and has lower upfront costs.
Yes, modern CIJ printers support high-resolution printing of barcodes, QR codes, batch numbers, and expiry dates.
CIJ printers work on metal, plastic, glass, cardboard, cable, and even porous or curved surfaces.
While older models did, most new CIJ printers in 2025 feature self-cleaning and require minimal maintenance.
Ink shelf life is typically 12 months unopened. Once opened, usage depends on print volume and frequency.
Conclusion
A Continuous Inkjet Printer is a smart investment for manufacturers looking to improve coding efficiency, ensure regulatory compliance, and reduce downtime. With 2025 bringing more advanced and eco-friendly models, now is the perfect time to upgrade.
Related Posts
