Printing on Meat and Poultry Products
Safety and traceability — New regulations, food safety concerns and retailer demands call for accurate and readable codes.
A true printing partner understands the importance of great print quality and achieving your operational goals in a highly regulated environment. With over four decades of experience in the meat and poultry industry, Videojet offers the perfect combination of technology, expertise and service options to be your coding partner of choice.
- Applications
- Line Integrations
- Documents
- Overview
- Trays
- ChubPacks
- Vacuum/Shrink Film
- Bags /Pouches
- Cartons / Sleeves
- Cans / Jars
- Case
Fluid based, non-contact printing of up to five lines of text, linear and 2D bar codes, or graphics, printed on a variety of packaging types including stationary packaging via traversing systems.
Thermal Transfer Overprinting (TTO)
A digitally controlled printhead precisely melts ink from a ribbon directly onto flexible films to provide high resolution, real-time prints.
Ink-based, non-contact printing using heat and surface tension to move ink onto a package surface. Generally used to print 2D DataMatrix and other bar codes.
Ink-based, non-contact printing of multiple data types (alphanumeric, logos and bar codes) in large sizes primarily used for secondary packaging such as cases.
A beam of infrared light focused and steered with a series of carefully controlled small mirrors to create marks where the heat of the beam interacts with the packaging surface.
Label Printer Applicator (LPA)
Prints and places labels of various sizes on multiple package types.
Coding to represent high quality
Changing consumer preferences and the goal of extended shelve life drive constant change in films for the meat and poultry industry. Moreover, coding more information is not only required by law but is becoming an expectation of consumers. TTO and LPA are two technologies that can help you comply with these requirements while maintaining superior printing that conveys your high-quality product.
Continuous Ink Jet
(CIJ)
- Condensation-resistant inks help ensure code stays in place when printed on any part of the package surface.
- Changing codes is easy through a user-friendly message creation interface or connection to networking software
Thermal Transfer Overprinting (TTO)
- Print on either stationary or moving products, and it is possible to switch between the two types of printing
- Can be printed on almost any color, including dark films
Label Printer Applicator (LPA)
- Variable information such as weight, ‘sell-by’ date and price can be printed for each package prior to automatic placements
- Can print customized labels and eliminate the need for manual handling
Keeping pace with form fill seal machinery
Chub packs provide ground meat with an easy-to-transport, solid shape and are used in both retail and commercial channels. Due to the lack of air inside a chub package, they often have a longer shelf life for ground meats or poultry versus trays and can be easily frozen.
Continuous Ink Jet
(CIJ)
- 316 stainless steel construction can help prevent rust and corrosion in washdown environments
- CleanFlow™ printhead technology reduces printhead maintenance intervals helps provide clear codes even near package seams
Thermal Transfer Overprinting (TTO)
- Clear, easy-to-read codes that are durable in freezing temperatures
- Integrates directly into the line and prints on the film prior to filling
- Ideal for printing nutrition facts, safe handling instructions, and other product information
Get more from your printer
Managing multiple pre-printed films for multiple products running on the same line can be cumbersome and costly. TTO gives you the capability to print product information during packaging and variabilize mark content to limit pre-printed film variations. TTO can print high resolution logos, bar codes and product information, giving you the ultimate in flexibility and efficiency.
Continuous Ink Jet
(CIJ)
- Versatile coding solutions for nearly every package material, size or color
- Broad fluids portfolio with over 175 ink offerings including odorless and non-MEK inks
Thermal Transfer Overprinting (TTO)
- Clean, clear coding of information such as nutrition facts, allergy information or product logos
- Excellent adhesion on film because printing takes place prior to the vacuum process
Solutions for a wide variety of pouches
Make sure your coding doesn’t detract from your great package styling. Consider coding during the design process and then choose the optimal coding technology for your specialized package
Thermal Transfer Overprinting (TTO)
- Print product information during packaging and help eliminate the need for pre-printed films
- Directly integrates with vertical form fill seal machines (VFFS) to produce high quality codes
Continuous Ink Jet
(CIJ)
- Particularly useful for more complicated applications such as preformed pouches and bags with very thick resealable zippers
- Can be seamlessly integrated with a bag sealer to help increase efficiency and create clear, readable codes
Laser Marking Systems
- No inks or fluids required, thereby eliminating the potential of ink affecting product integrity
- Videojet fume extraction systems help keep the production environment and marking lens clean
The benefits of integration
Coders are integrated either directly with a cartoner or on the outfeed conveyor after the carton has been filled and sealed. Although integration directly with the cartoner can require more planning, it offers you considerable benefits. These include more consistent coding due to more precise material handling and the use of existing guards on the machine.
Laser Marking Systems
- Extremely high resolution codes for printing country of origin or other product information on cartons
- Comprehensive portfolio of laser accessories including lenses and beam turning units to simplify line integration and maximize laser performance
Continuous Ink Jet (CIJ)
- Specialty inks can create contrast and are ideal for use on virtually all carton materials, including aqueous overcoats and other varnishes
- Colored inks can be used to create contrast on different colored cartons
Thermal Ink Jet (TIJ)
- Creates complex, detailed messages, bar codes and 2D codes, ideal for retail-ready packaging
- Compact design for simple line integration and flexible communication choices for ease of use
Code on almost anything
The selection of a coding technology and fluids, when required, should be based on the unique needs of your business. Substrate and environmental considerations, stringent sanitation requirements, and heat and humidity resistance can make that selection process more challenging. With over 40 years of experience and more than 600 specialized inks, our technology experts can help you find the right solution for your production.
Continuous Ink Jet (CIJ)
- Codes can be printed with special inks that change color to confirm that products have passed through a critical retort process
- Smart Cartridge™ fluid delivery system means virtually no mess, no waste, and no-mistake fluids replenishment
Laser Marking Systems
- Versatile laser marking systems are easily adjusted for varying package sizes
- Scribing technology and large marking fields provide excellent code quality
- Fiber laser marking systems are able to code on metal surfaces
Empower your supply chain and reduce costs
Printing lot, batch and supplier-specific information on your cases creates a traceability point that is visible to your warehouse, wholesaler and retailer. This information provides vital product information, allows for rapid identification and helps to move your product quickly through your supply chain. In addition, printing this information directly on the case helps reduce pre-printed case related costs by using generic cases and printing different trading partner’s information on demand.
Large Character Marking (LCM)
- Eliminates the cost, storage and management of labels, and need for customer-specific pre-printed cases
- A unique, automatic, patented printhead micropurging process helps keep the printhead free of debris for best print quality
Label Printer Applicator (LPA)
- Automatic application of high quality printed labels, designed for ease of use and low maintenance
- Direct Apply labeling can increase performance with on-demand label application up to 150 packs per minute (typical 4”x6” label)
Laser Marking Systems
- A DataLase® (a contrast enhancer) coated case marked with a laser will produce a dark black and extremely high resolution print
- Especially useful for water-resistant coated boxes, as it enables clear, dark printing without damage to the protective coating
Thermal Ink Jet (TIJ)
- High resolution, ink-based printing with no wear parts, minimizing maintenance and related downtime
- Ideal for non-porous substrates, MEK-based inks help ensure clean codes and good code recovery even after line interruptions
- Horizontal Form Fill Seal
- Vertical Form Fill Seal
- Case Packer and Sealer
Although coding downstream in the conveyor is possible, the highest quality codes are typically obtained by coding on the film prior to packaging. Good integration is key.
Fluid based, non-contact printing of up to five lines of text, linear and 2D bar codes, or graphics, printed on a variety of packaging types including stationary packaging via traversing systems.
Thermal Transfer Overprinting (TTO)
A digitally controlled printhead precisely melts ink from a ribbon directly onto flexible films to provide high resolution, real-time prints.
A beam of infrared light focused and steered with a series of carefully controlled small mirrors to create marks where the heat of the beam interacts with the packaging surface.
Ink-based, non-contact printing of multiple data types (alphanumeric, logos and bar codes) in large sizes primarily used for secondary packaging such as cases.
Whether intermittent or continuous motion, Videojet has a range of printers to address the growing complexity of VFFS bags and pouches. Our technologies can handle unique packaging features like zippers and gussets.
Fluid based, non-contact printing of up to five lines of text, linear and 2D bar codes, or graphics, printed on a variety of packaging types including stationary packaging via traversing systems.
Thermal Transfer Overprinting (TTO)
A digitally controlled printhead precisely melts ink from a ribbon directly onto flexible films to provide high resolution, real-time prints.
Ink-based, non-contact printing of multiple data types (alphanumeric, logos and bar codes) in large sizes primarily used for secondary packaging such as cases.
Case printers are best integrated on your conveyor after the sealed case has been discharged. The type and amount of information you want to print on your cases determines which coding solution is ideal for you.
A beam of infrared light focused and steered with a series of carefully controlled small mirrors to create marks where the heat of the beam interacts with the packaging surface.
Ink-based, non-contact printing using heat and surface tension to move ink onto a package surface. Generally used to print 2D DataMatrix and other bar codes.
Ink-based, non-contact printing of multiple data types (alphanumeric, logos and bar codes) in large sizes primarily used for secondary packaging such as cases.
- Brochures
- Case Studies
- White Paper
- Application Notes
Meat and Poultry Brochure
Philadelphia Cheesesteak
Case Study
Yantai Xiwang
Case Study
TTO for Washdown White Paper
Reduce Code Changeover Errors Application Note
Improve Coding Performance Application Note
Prevent Rust and Corrosion Application Note
Achieving durable, quality codes for traceability and food safety
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Service and Technical support
Featured Download
TTO For Washdown White Paper
