Discover your next big idea at PACK EXPO Las Vegas this September
Experience a breakthrough in packaging & processing and transform your business with solutions from 2,300 suppliers spanning all industries.
REGISTER NOW & SAVE

Ink-jet provides a COOL solution

Ink-jet coding on wrapped trays of produce streamlines packaging and takes care of COOL.

Top photo shows the p-s labeler that applies bar codes; the new ink-jet coder sits a few feet downstream.
Top photo shows the p-s labeler that applies bar codes; the new ink-jet coder sits a few feet downstream.

As produce marketers nationwide find themselves facing new requirements calling for country-of-origin labeling (COOL), some are re-evaluating their approach to coding and marking.

C.L. Henderson of Hendersonville, NC, is a good example. Until last spring, a pressure-sensitive labeler was used to apply pre-printed labels to the top of each shrink-wrapped tray of produce to indicate produce variety. On the bottom of the tray, workers applied a sticker carrying a best-if-used-by date.

This approach was greatly improved with the installation of a Ci1000 continuous ink-jet coding system from ID Technology.

“It was the country-of-origin legislation that got us thinking this way,” says company president Alan Henderson. “The ink-jet system is capable of printing four lines of text, and one of those lines identifies country of origin. On another line, we ink jet the best-if-used-by date, so our operators no longer have to turn the trays over and apply that information by hand. Also ink-jet printed is a lot and ID code.”

Henderson is quick to point out that ink-jet coding on film-wrapped veggies is no walk in the park.

Is your palletizing solution leaving money on the floor?
Discover which palletizing technology—robotic, conventional, or hybrid—will maximize your packaging line efficiency while minimizing long-term costs in this comprehensive analysis.
Read More
Is your palletizing solution leaving money on the floor?
Annual Outlook Report: Workforce
Hiring remains a major challenge in packaging, with 78% struggling to fill unskilled roles and 84% lacking experienced workers. As automation grows, companies must rethink hiring and training. Download the full report for key insights.
Download Now
Annual Outlook Report: Workforce