When it comes to batch coding, product traceability, and packaging compliance, two technologies dominate the industrial printing landscape: Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) and Thermal Inkjet (TIJ).
While other options exist — such as laser, drop-on-demand (DOD), or thermal transfer — CIJ and TIJ remain the most widely used due to their flexibility, reliability, and scalability. But which one is right for your application?
CIJ works by using a high-pressure pump to push ink through a microscopic nozzle, creating a continuous stream of ink droplets. These droplets are charged by electrodes and then deflected onto the substrate using an electrostatic field. This non-contact process allows CIJ printers to apply fast, consistent codes at high speed.
CIJ is extremely versatile and is used across nearly every industry, particularly in high-speed production environments. Common applications include:
Expiry and best-before dates
Batch codes and serial numbers
Promotional and QR codes
Packaging for food, beverage, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals
Printing onto curved or uneven surfaces like bottles, cans, and cables
Non-contact printing – Ideal for fragile or irregular-shaped items
Flexible throw distance – Print from up to 10mm away
Compatible with specialty inks, such as:
Pigmented inks (e.g., white/yellow for cables and tyres)
Heat-resistant inks for post-processing
Food-safe inks for direct contact applications
CIJ printers, including our trusted N-Series range, are designed to operate in harsh, demanding environments — making them the choice for manufacturers who need rugged, 24/7 reliability.
TIJ printers use disposable ink cartridges instead of bottled ink and solvent. The technology relies on ‘drop ejection’, where the ink is heated to around 340°C to create a vapour bubble that propels ink droplets through the nozzle.
TIJ is compact, clean, and easy to use, making it an increasingly popular solution for operations where flexibility, space, and cleanliness matter.
TIJ excels on porous and semi-porous surfaces, making it ideal for:
Paper and cardboard packaging
Timber and construction materials
Fabric and textiles
Pharmaceuticals
Automotive and aerospace components
Food cartons and outer case coding
Cartridge-based system – No messy refills or solvent handling
Low maintenance – No moving parts, minimal downtime
Compact and portable – Easily integrates into tight or mobile production setups
High-resolution output – Sharp, scannable text and barcodes
Cost-efficient – The only ongoing cost is ink cartridges
If you're coding in lower-volume or highly variable environments, TIJ offers exceptional flexibility and value.
| Feature | CIJ | TIJ |
|---|---|---|
| Print speed | Very high | Medium to high |
| Print resolution | Medium | High |
| Maintenance | Moderate | Minimal |
| Ink type | Solvent- and pigment-based | Cartridge-based (water/solvent) |
| Cost of ownership | Moderate | Low |
| Ideal substrates | Curved, non-porous, harsh environments | Flat, porous, low-volume runs |
At Cyklop Needham, we offer both CIJ and TIJ printing solutions — and the expertise to help you choose the right system based on your production needs, print surfaces, and long-term budget.
Let’s talk.
Call us: +44 (0)1948 662629
Email: enquiries@needham-ink.com
Website: www.needham-ink.com
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