Pharmaceutical production in the United States operates under stringent regulations to ensure safety and traceability. The Drug Quality and Security Act (DSCSA) mandates that pharmaceutical companies label their products with traceable codes and markings. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in fines, product recalls, and other penalties.
In addition to the essential product information mandated by acts like the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA) (e.g., product name, quantity, manufacturer details) and the Physician Labeling Rule (PLR) (e.g., active/inactive ingredients, purpose, usage directions), the DSCSA requires companies to include traceable variable data on their products.
These markings include:
- Unique product identifiers
- Batch codes/lot numbers
- Expiration dates
- Serial numbers
To meet modern regulations, you must use a high-quality marking system that satisfies specific requirements:
- Compatibility with your packaging materials
- Suitability for your production line setup
- Sufficient specifications to meet your output requirements
- Environmental resistance against factors that may disrupt the marking process (e.g., heat, moisture, etc.)
At InkJet, Inc, we offer numerous solutions that excel at printing on pharmaceutical packaging. We carry multiple inkjet printer models, laser systems, and print-and-apply labelers to accommodate different packaging processes, substrates, and facility conditions. Discover how our solutions can benefit your operation below.
Pharmaceutical Marking & Coding Solutions that Satisfy Diverse Requirements
Pharmaceutical product coding is a demanding process. For primary and secondary packaging applications, pharmaceutical companies frequently utilize high-speed production lines that leave no room for error. Hardware malfunctions, misprints, and other issues can cause profit-draining downtime, which means you need a reliable primary packaging solution to meet output demands and remain profitable.
Tertiary packaging applications are equally important. Distribution partners and federal/state regulators require pharmaceutical companies to label their boxes and pallets with traceable markings to facilitate distribution, aid quality assurance, and protect consumer safety.
InkJet, Inc. carries numerous primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging technologies ideal for printing on pharmaceutical packaging. The following table lists our various options and displays their general specifications. Additional information on each option can be located further below.
Click the title in the table’s leftmost column to jump to a specific solution's information.
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Continuous Inkjet Printers: DuraCode Touchscreen, Keyboard, and Pigment
Continuous inkjet (CIJ) printers are non-contact production line printing systems designed to mark substrates moving at 300 m/min and above. Built with powerful ink circulation systems, CIJ printers can operate up to 24 hours daily without downtime. The wide ink compatibility and versatile printheads of CIJ printers equip users to mark diverse packaging materials, including:
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See the chart below for a closer look at the DuraCode models’ most important specifications.
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Thermal Inkjet Printers: Anser U2, X1, and A1 Models
Thermal inkjet (TIJ) printers are smaller, lighter, and more cost-effective than CIJ systems. While CIJ systems typically weigh around 100 lbs and can cost well over $10,000, most TIJ models weigh 5-10 lbs and cost as low as $1,499.00.
Although thermal inkjet systems are compact and lightweight, they offer impressive coding specifications. For example, the Anser U2 Smart can create 400 x 300 DPI codes up to 0.5” tall (1” tall with the Anser U2 SmartOne). Higher-end TIJs like the Anser X1and A1 models can create 600 x 600 DPI codes up to 2” tall with stitched printheads. These qualities enable TIJ operators to complete product marking tasks as well as case coding applications
TIJ printers are often designed for slower speed lines and intermittent coding tasks, but some TIJ models offer high-speed capabilities as well. InkJet, Inc. carries numerous TIJ printers of varying specialties and price points. Our current options include:
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The Anser U2 Smart is InkJet, Inc’s most affordable printer option. Available for $1,499.00, the Anser U2 Smart is compatible with porous and semi-porous packaging such as cardboard boxes, paperboard cartons, and wood. The system’s max speed is 76.2 m/min, and the max resolution is 400 x 300 DPI. The stock U2 Smart has a max 0.5” print height, while the Anser U2 SmartOne has a max 1” print height. |
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Compact and cost-effective, the Anser U2 Pro-S is a great choice for operations that don’t require CIJ-level marking speeds. Like the Anser U2 Smart and SmartOne, the Anser U2 Pro-S has 76.2 m/min max speed and 400 x 300 DPI max resolution. However, the Anser U2 Pro-S is compatible with more materials, for the printer can mark porous, semi-porous, and non-porous substrates. |
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The first all-in-one TIJ that offers 2” printing and mid-message DPI adjustments, the Anser A1 is both powerful and affordable. Built with 2 cartridge slots, the A1 can create 2” tall markings with varying DPI elements (e.g., 300 DPI QR code with 150 DPI text). These qualities make the A1 an excellent case-coding printer. For product marking applications, the A1 maxes out at 300 m/min with certain cartridges. It is controlled with a large touchscreen interface. |
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Even though the Anser X1 is a thermal inkjet printer, you wouldn’t know that from its spec sheet. With printing speeds up to 300 m/min, the Anser X1 is one of the most powerful TIJs on the market today. Beyond industrial speed marking, the Anser X1 offers a 600 DPI max resolution, a 3.87” max print height (with stitched printheads), IP66 protection, and the ability to simultaneously control two production lines. |
See the chart below for a closer look into how our TIJ options compare to one another:
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Laser Marking Solutions: Fiber, CO2, and UV Laser Models
Laser marking systems are perfect for pharmaceutical packaging companies that require high coding speeds, reliable accuracy, and exceptional code appearance. For example, high-output operations frequently use laser systems to meet demanding quotas, minimize coding errors, and enhance their products’ visual appeal.
Laser systems are more expensive than TIJ and CIJ printers upfront, but they do not use any consumables. Moreover, they have minimal maintenance needs and do not require annual servicing. Depending on your product output, these factors can actually make laser marking more cost-effective than inkjet printing.
Inkjet, Inc. offers four laser models:
- F8100F Fiber Laser Marking Machine
- F8100C CO2 Laser Marking Machine
- LDR 7100 Laser Marking System (CO2 System)
- F8100U UV Laser Marking Machine
Our laser systems offer similar specifications and benefits. The F8100F, F8100C, LDR7100, and F8100U provide:
- Marking speeds up to 2000 characters/sec.
- 24/7 uninterrupted coding
- Reliable ingress protections
- Long laser tube life
- Enhanced high-resolution mark quality
- Plug-and-play laser module for easy line replacement
- User-friendly control panel via computer or smartphone app
Material compatibility is the main difference between our laser options. Fiber, CO2, and UV lasers produce beams of different wavelengths. Beam wavelength significantly influences material compatibility, so it’s important to understand which laser technology is best suited for your substrates as you consider your system options.
This chart illustrates the material compatibility of fiber, CO2, and UV laser systems:
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See the chart below for a closer look into our laser systems’ most important specifications.
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High-Resolution Case Coders: Precision Series 18mm & 72mm
High-resolution case coders (hi-res) excel at placing high-quality images and codes on porous substrates.
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Slower than CIJ, TIJ, and laser marking systems, hi-res systems like InkJet, Inc’s Precision Series 18mm and Precision Series 72mm are ideal for secondary and tertiary packaging tasks. High-resolution case coders use powerful piezoelectric printheads to create large messages, intricate graphics, and stark images. Hi-res ink is oil-based and thicker than CIJ or TIJ ink, making hi-res codes more durable and visually appealing. As case coding solutions, Precision Series systems enable users to replace physical shipping labels with printed codes, text, and images. Direct printing holds numerous benefits over manual labeling, including: By streamlining the case coding process and minimizing errors, Precision Series printers can enhance your secondary packaging processes. |
 
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See the chart below for a closer look into the Precision Series’ most important specifications:
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Print-and-Apply Label Machine: Evolabel Systems
Print-and-apply labeling machines (PALM) streamline the labeling process by continuously creating labels and applying them to passing products or shipping cartons. Predominantly used to label shipping cartons, PALM systems can complete primary, secondary, and tertiary applications with the right equipment.
Users can customize their print-and-apply labelers to complete specific tasks. PALM systems are made of multiple components, with two of the most important being:
- The printer module, which prints labels on-demand
- The label applicator, which dispenses and applies each label to a product, carton, or pallet
By selecting the ideal printer/applicator combo, you can use a PALM system to efficiently label most popular pharmaceutical cases and packaging substrates, including:
- Cardboard boxes
- Paperboard cartons
- Aluminum cans and bottles
- Glass bottles
- Rigid plastic containers
- Plastic bottles
- Flexible packaging
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By investing in an Evolabel system, you can simplify your package labeling process, reduce the risk of error, and maximize packaging efficiency.
Diverse Inks for Pharmaceutical Applications
Proper ink choice is integral to product marking success. If you are printing on pharmaceutical packaging with an inkjet printer, you must use a formula that is:
- Compatible with your packaging materials
- Well-suited for your production workflow
- Capable of resisting any potentially disruptive environmental factors
- Able to remain highly legible and machine-scannable for the product’s lifespan.
InkJet, Inc. has developed ink formulas for pharmaceutical applications for over 30 years. Today, our robust catalog features formulas for every major packaging material, from plastic to glass to cardboard.
Many of our formulas offer special properties as well, including:
- Superior substrate adhesion
- Ultra-quick dry times
- Alcohol resistance
- Heat resistance
- Chemical resistance
- Sunlight resistance
- Extreme temperature resistance
- Oil/grease penetration
- Condensation penetration
- Soft and hard pigmentation
We also offer custom ink services for unique applications and situations.