MEK-Free CIJ Ink: The Smarter Choice For Industrial Printing
Why MEK-Free CIJ Ink Matters In today's industrial printing environments, there is an increasing demand for solutions that are not only...
2 min read
Samuel Mcgarrigle
Feb 22, 2022 1:11:06 PM
The blister packets of pills we see daily are produced on high-speed pharmaceutical production lines, where clear and accurate coding is non-negotiable. Regulatory bodies worldwide require that medicines are identifiable with unique labels applied to both packaging and ingestible products.
If you've ever noticed small codes or printed data on a box of medicine, you've seen the result of industrial printing in action—but how does that information get there, and why is it so critical?
Inkjet printing solutions, particularly Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) and Thermal Inkjet (TIJ), are widely used for pharmaceutical product marking. These technologies are capable of printing:
Alphanumeric characters
2D barcodes and QR codes
Lot numbers, expiry dates, and batch codes
Multi-line text and graphics
CIJ and TIJ printers ensure consistent, high-contrast, high-resolution printing even on curved, coated, or heat-sensitive substrates—essential for packaging integrity and regulatory compliance.
CIJ is typically better for high-speed, continuous production, while TIJ may suit smaller batch operations or more delicate environments.
Cyklop Needham's CIJ technology is used for:
Carton coding and inspection
Foil blister packet marking
Capsule and tablet surface printing (with food-grade ink)
Bottle and vial identification
Sterilisation pouch coding
Single-use packet and oral gel labelling
Yes—when using the right ink. Cyklop Needham supplies food-grade and pharmaceutical-grade inks that are safe for direct application to pills, capsules, and other ingestible products.
Each ink formulation is developed to suit the surface and coating of the substrate. With so many coating types in use today, it's essential that the ink used doesn’t react negatively with the packaging or product.
We offer:
Edible inks for ingestibles
UV-readable inks for anti-counterfeit measures
Solvent- and water-based inks for a wide range of surfaces
The CM750 CIJ printer by Cyklop Needham is built for high-speed environments, making it ideal for pharmaceutical production lines that require both efficiency and accuracy.
Key benefits:
Microscopic ink droplets for sharp, small prints
Instant drying to prevent smudging on high-speed lines
Reliable substrate coverage across blister foils, cartons, and plastic
Supports food-grade ink for direct product contact
Easy integration with automated packaging systems
CIJ printers like the CM750 are particularly suited to expiration dates, lot codes, and serialized tracking, making them perfect for compliance-driven pharma operations.
At Cyklop Needham, we understand the complex demands of pharmaceutical manufacturing. Our complete coding solutions include:
CM750 printers tailored for speed, precision, and traceability
Inks developed in-house for compliance, safety, and performance
Expert engineers ready to assist with integration and setup
Support for all major code formats, including GS1, barcodes, and logos
Whether you’re a contract packer or a pharmaceutical manufacturer, we’ll help you deliver high-quality, regulation-compliant printing with minimal downtime and maximum clarity.
Ready to Upgrade Your Coding Capability?
📞 Call: +44 (0)1948 662629
📧 Email: enquiries@needham-ink.com
🌐 Visit: www.needham-ink.com
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