Markem-Imaje has upgraded its 9750 continuous inkjet (CIJ) printer, introducing hybrid capability that allows the printing of standard dark codes or colour contrasted codes using dyes or pigmented inks.

9750 had its global launch last year and forms part of a series of innovations designed to support Markem-Imaje’s customers in meeting challenges of today’s manufacturing environments. This includes improving sustainability, maximising uptime and supporting industry 4.0 integration. 

Specifically, the upgraded model – 9750+ – features a polyvalent ink circuit, claimed by Markem-Imaje as the first of its kind for coding, and which enables manufacturers to use one printer across factories, regardless of ink and packaging. Through this market first approach, the company claims manufacturers will be able to streamline ink inventory and installed base management.

Pigment inks are used in CIJ printing when a very long-lasting and crisp code is required, and/or where achieving the desired contrast and legibility with a dye is difficult due to the base packaging colour, such as brown bottles. Nonetheless, large CPG manufacturers often need to use both coding methods. For example, shampoo maybe in a dark PET bottle requiring a contrasted pigmented print, while a black dye ink might be better for coding cartons containing solid shampoo bars. producing both code types has traditionally required two types of machines. With 9750+, Markem-Imaje has sought to enable manufactures to achieve both with one printer model

Additionally, the use of MEK-free inks can cut consumables and VOC emissions by up to 50% as standard and up to 60% when using consumable-saving mode.

Guillaume Montagnat, product marketing manager at Markem-Imaje, said, ‘We are enormously proud of the 9750+, which has been designed in direct response to our customers’ needs. For the first time, it allows manufactures to use one model to code in both dye or pigmented ink. This is the latest innovation from our CIJ team and adds to a portfolio that includes coders that cut VOCs even when using MEK inks. By using consumable-saving mode, the 9750+ and the 9750 generate up to 35% fewer VOCs.’