Best Expiration Date Printing Machines for Bottles: Types and Benefits

Because expiration dates change with every production batch, your bottle coding machine should enable easy updates to printed information to maintain accuracy and compliance.

With the growing popularity of bottled water, juices, and other beverages, ensuring that consumers can clearly see the expiration date has become more important than ever. The solution lies in using an expiration date printing machine specifically designed for bottles.

This not only protects consumers’ health but also helps companies manage inventory more efficiently. But when it comes to expiration dates, do water bottles actually expire? What is the best method to print those dates on a bottle? Let’s learn the details here.

Do Plastic Water Bottles Expire? Understanding Expiration Dates and Safety

You might not have thought about this before, but do water bottles really expire? While the water itself doesn’t spoil, the plastic bottle can degrade over time.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t require bottled water to include an expiration date, but most manufacturers add one regardless. This is because plastic can leach chemicals into the water over time (around two years), potentially altering its taste or smell.

Since staying hydrated is vital for your health and water supports many bodily functions, it’s important to use safe bottles with clear expiration date information which is why an expiration date printing machine for bottles is essential.

Things to Consider When Printing an Expiration Date on a Bottle

If you’re a beverage manufacturer, there are several factors to consider when printing expiration dates on plastic bottles to ensure the marks are durable and easy for consumers to read:

• Type of Plastic

Different types of plastics react differently to various marking methods. For example, thin plastics used in most packaging can be tricky to mark without damaging the material.

• Volume of Production

The number of bottles you need to print on will affect your choice of printing method. High-volume production requires a different approach compared to low-volume or custom production.

• The Mark’s Durability

Remember, the mark produced by your expiration date printing machine must remain legible throughout the product’s entire lifecycle. This means it should be resistant to wear, chemicals, and environmental conditions.

• Changeability

Since expiration dates always change with each batch, your bottle coding machine should allow for easy updates to the printed information, ensuring accuracy and compliance.

The Best Methods for Printing on Bottles

Let’s take a closer look at the main printing methods available for bottles and how each performs in real-world production. There are several methods available for printing expiration dates on plastic bottles. Here are the most effective techniques for printing expiration dates on bottles, along with their pros and cons:

• Continuous Inkjet Printers (CIJ)

Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) printers are ideal for high-speed production environments. They work by sending a steady stream of tiny ink droplets onto the surface of the bottle. There, the droplets are charged and pushed in different directions to form characters and numbers.

Pros:

• Quick printing speeds
• Capable of printing on curved or textured surfaces
• Simple to change messages

Cons:

• High consumable costs (ink and solvents)
• Needs regular maintenance

• Thermal Inkjet Printers (TIJ)

Another option for an expiration date printing machine for bottles is the Thermal Inkjet (TIJ) printer. This type of printer uses heat to expel ink droplets from a cartridge onto the bottle surface. It is suitable if you need high print quality along with lower production volumes.

Pros:

• High-resolution prints
• Less maintenance compared to CIJ
• Easy operation

Cons:

• Slower printing speed compared to CIJ printers
• Higher cost per printing because of cartridge use

• Thermal Transfer Overprinters (TTO)

Thermal Transfer Overprinters (TTO) use a heated printhead to transfer ink from a ribbon onto the bottle surface. This method creates high-resolution, durable prints, and is usually ideal for packaging films and labels.

Pros:

• Durable and high-quality prints
• Can print both text and barcodes with high precision

Cons:

• Requires ribbons, adding to consumable costs
• Slower than direct inkjet printing

• Drop on Demand Inkjet Printers (DOD)

Another type of expiration date printing machine for bottles is the Drop-on-Demand (DOD) printer, which generates ink droplets only when required, making it efficient and cost-effective for lower-volume production.

Pros:

• Efficient ink use
• Can print larger characters
• Less maintenance compared to CIJ

Cons:

• Not suitable for quick printing needs
• Not suitable for very high-resolution printing

• Hot Stamp Printing Method

Next, is hot stamp printing. It works by using pressure and heat to transfer ink or foil onto the bottle. This method is durable and can achieve a premium look, so it is often used for high-value items requiring a decorative or high-quality finish

Pros:

• Give a durable mark
• Can be cost-effective for small to medium production volumes

Cons:

• Not flexible enough to quickly change information
• Not as fast as inkjet writing

• Laser Marking Machines

The final option on this list is laser marking technology. As the name suggests, it uses lasers to etch or mark the bottle’s surface.This method is highly durable and precise, making it ideal for creating permanent, high-quality marks on various types of plastic.

Pros:

• Highly durable marks
• No consumables needed
• Less maintenance

Cons:

• Higher initial investment (is expensive)
• Specific plastics may require specific lasers

Ultimately, choosing the right expiration date printing machine for bottles depends on your specific production requirements and business goals. Looking for reliable expiration date printers for bottles? Markcom Global provides advanced coding and marking solutions designed to deliver clear, durable, and efficient data labeling. Contact us today to discover the best solution for your production line!

Get expert recommendations on the most suitable printer technology for your packaging line from CIJ to TIJ, Markcom Global helps you code smarter and faster.

Read more: Does Wine Expire and Become More Alcoholic? Here’s The Truth

References

https://www.durable-tech.com/blog/how-to-print-expiration-dates-on-plastic#:~:text=Another%20option%20for%20marking%20on,also%20needs%20to%20be%20printed.

https://www.livescience.com/do-water-bottles-expire#:~:text=But%20because%20plastic%20can%20begin,oxygen%20to%20your%20entire%20body.

https://www.bentsaishop.com/how-to-print-date-code-on-plastic