Domino Printing Sciences has launched a ‘new high-speed, high-performance’ thermal transfer overprinter, which it says has been developed to meet increasing consumer demand for on-the-go food options requiring 2D codes at point of sale.
The Vx350i is an addition to its Vx-Series range of thermal transfer overprinters (TTOs), and Domino says it is specifically designed for easy integration into flexible packaging machinery. Producing high quality, 300 dpi prints for text, graphics, and high-resolution codes, including GS1 QR codes, it features improved printhead technology for fast printing when using both standard and resin-based thermal transfer ribbons, enabling it to deliver ‘high-quality, durable, scratch-resistant codes’ with no reduction in speed.
These improvements allow the Vx350i to achieve ‘industry-leading’ speeds of up to 800mm per second with resin-based ribbons, according to Domino. In addition, the system is designed to run with ribbon rolls up to 55% longer than other printers in the Vx-Series range, allowing for longer print runs without interrupting production.
Among the different printer and interface format options is a single-box, printer-only solution, with the printhead and controller all integrated into a single unit. Domino says this compact solution is ideal for integration into packaging machinery lines, including vertical and horizontal form fill seal equipment, as well as for food manufacturers with space-constrained packaging lines. Customers requiring additional connectivity options and those preferring a separate interface box can select a standard two-box system. All the options are significantly smaller than Domino’s previous generation of TTO printers, allowing for seamless replacement of older or competitor models while reusing existing bracketry.
In common with all printers in the Vx-Series range, the Vx350i has a range of ribbon saving modes, helping to use up 60% less ribbon per print. The printer is also available with a range of harsh environment kits, including the option of IP55 rating for both protection against dust and low-pressure water jets, making it suitable for a wide variety of production environments.
Sharmil Ghouse, global head of TTO and P&A at Domino, referred to research by Arizton that predicts growth from $640 million to more than $1 billion in the global thermal transfer printer market by 2029, adding, ‘This dramatic growth is partly driven by increasing consumer demand for single-serve snacks and on-the-go food options, combined with the global migration to 2D codes at the point of sale. These global shifts are driving demand for high-speed, high-resolution, durable coding solutions for flexible packaging – we have developed the Vx350i with this backdrop in mind.’
Domino’s chief product officer Tony McNulty commented, ‘With the Vx350i, we are shaping the future of coding onto flexible packaging – with high-speed, durable printing as standard and a flexible, adaptable solution to suit a wide range of sectors and production environments.’
