TIJ, CIJ or laser: how to choose a coding technology
A practical guide to choosing between thermal inkjet, continuous inkjet and laser according to product, material, line speed and factory environment.
TIJ, CIJ and laser side by side
Qualitative reference values. Figures quoted belong to specific models in our range; the final choice is confirmed with a test on a sample of your product.
| Criterion | TIJ | CIJ | Laser |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating principle | Thermal inkjet from a cartridge: each droplet is fired from a multi-nozzle printhead | Continuous stream of ink droplets deflected electrostatically to form the character | Laser beam that modifies the product surface (engraving, colour change or ablation); no ink |
| Typical substrates | Cardboard, paper, some plastics and metals depending on the cartridge ink | Plastic, metal, glass, cable, cardboard and curved packs, with an ink suited to each material | Depends on the laser: CO2 for organics and plastics, fibre for metals and some plastics, UV for sensitive plastics and glass (see materials table) |
| Line speed | Medium-high; maximum speed drops as resolution rises (e.g. K150NHS: up to 240 m/min, 120 m/min at 300 dpi) | High (e.g. KV55: up to 390 m/min) | Depends on mark size and content and on the material; validated on a sample |
| Quality and resolution | High; sharp codes up to 600 dpi on most models (K112NMW: up to 2400 dpi horizontally) | Dot matrix; legible and robust, less fine than TIJ or laser | Very high; minimum line width of 0.02 mm on the KLCN, KLFN and KLUVN lasers |
| Code size | 12.7 to 50.8 mm high with one or two heads; up to 76.2 mm with K160NE (6 joined heads) | 3 to 30 mm high and 1 to 5 lines (KV55) | From 0.6 mm character height up to the maximum marking area (KLCN, KLFN, KLUVN series) |
| Consumables | Ink cartridges (water-based, solvent-based or UV) | Ink and solvent in bottles | No ink; electricity only and, depending on the unit, cooling |
| Maintenance | Low: cartridge change and printhead cleaning | Higher: ink, solvent, filters and periodic servicing (KV55: every 6000 hours) | Very low: optics cleaning; fibre laser life over 100,000 hours and CO2 over 20,000 hours |
| Environment (dust, humidity) | Sensitive to dust and condensation; IP65 protection on K140NIP and K150NIP | Copes better with dust, humidity and dirt; IP65 protection (KV55) | IP43 protection on the range; depending on the material, fume extraction may be needed |
| Start-up vs running cost | Moderate initial investment; the cost lies mainly in the cartridges | Medium investment; cost split between unit, ink and maintenance | Higher initial investment; very low running cost |
| Permanence of the mark | Depends on ink and surface; may scratch or dissolve with certain products | Good adhesion with the right ink; withstands normal handling | Permanent; becomes part of the product surface |
| 2D codes and GS1 | Very suitable for DataMatrix, QR and GS1 thanks to resolution | Valid for 2D codes of sufficient size, with in-line verification | Very suitable, even for small codes; quality is verified on a sample |
When to choose TIJ
Thermal inkjet (TIJ) stands out when print quality, ease of use and low maintenance matter most.
- 2D codes, GS1 and small text at high resolution on cardboard, paper and packs with a suitable surface.
- Medium-to-high speed lines using ready-to-use cartridges, with no handling of ink or solvent.
- Cases, labels and packaging printed at short distance from the product.
- Installations that want a compact unit that is easy to integrate and simple for the operator.
When to choose CIJ
Continuous inkjet (CIJ) is the usual choice when the line is fast, the environment demanding or the product hard to mark.
- Very high-speed lines and continuous production over several shifts.
- Curved, rough or damp surfaces, and variable print distance.
- Plastic, metal, glass, cable and pipe, with a specific ink for each material.
- Dusty, humid or dirty environments, with a protected head (for example, KV55 with IP65).
See the KV55 as a reference model in the CIJ range.
When to choose laser
Laser marks without ink or solvents and leaves a permanent mark, in exchange for a higher initial investment.
- Permanent marking, for example traceability of parts and batches that must not be erased.
- Very small or high-precision codes (minimum line width of 0.02 mm).
- Continuous production where you want to remove ink consumption and reduce maintenance.
- Specific materials: fibre for metal, CO2 for organics and some plastics, UV for sensitive plastics and glass.
See the laser materials table to find which unit suits each substrate.
Other technologies
If none of the three above fits, other options exist for specific cases.
Common mistakes when choosing
- Choosing on unit price alone and forgetting consumable and maintenance costs over the years.
- Not testing the code on the real material: the same product with a different finish can behave differently.
- Overlooking the environment (dust, humidity, temperature) or the real and maximum line speed.
- Miscalculating code size: the smaller the code, the more resolution and verification it needs.
- Leaving integration to the end: encoder, photocell and line communication must be planned from the start.
- Not thinking about service: choose a supplier with technical support and spare parts available.
If in doubt, our technical service and sales team can help you validate the choice on a sample.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, TIJ or CIJ?
Neither is better in general. TIJ offers more resolution and less maintenance on medium-to-high speed lines; CIJ performs better on very fast lines, difficult surfaces and dusty or humid environments.
When is it worth moving to laser?
When you need a permanent mark, very small codes or want to remove ink consumption. The initial investment is higher, but running cost is very low.
Can one technology cover every product in the factory?
Sometimes, but combining technologies by material and line is common. A plastic pack, a cardboard case and a metal part may each need a different solution.
Which technology suits 2D codes and GS1?
All three can print them. Always verify the read grade in line. See our printers or ask for advice.
How is the choice validated before buying?
With a test on samples of your product. Parameters and inks are tuned on your real material; write to us through the contact form and see the available inks.
Which ink do you need?
Tell us your printer and the surface you mark. We will recommend the right ink and send you a quote.