As the craft brewing industry continues to grow in popularity, thus increasing its market share, the pressure to improve and sustain a high production volume can present new opportunities that may be difficult to navigate alone, including coding for brewing and advanced printer systems.

However, dedicating additional time and effort to adequately investigating your coding and marking choices and investing in a supplier that will go above and beyond in assisting your company with installation, integration, and training will allow you to focus on what matters most – producing high-quality craft beer. 

Supplier Considerations & Technology Offerings

Like any business, craft brewers are eager to build their company as fast as possible while maintaining their top-quality products. A key component in achieving this is selecting a well-equipped coding and marking supplier to meet their unique needs. When starting out, high-volume and industrial-level systems are not required. However, companies don’t want to feel limited by their production capabilities.

By choosing the perfect supplier, who can offer a wide range of technology, they will not only be able to honestly discuss the pros and cons of each printing option but can further provide their services as your production grows and evolves.  

Primary Packaging Solutions with Craft Brewing

Specific printers are needed for printing on your primary package, which can be a bottle or can, compared to your secondary packaging choice, like outer cartons and cases. A continuous ink-jet (CIJ) and laser printer are the most popular options for printing text, barcodes, QR codes, graphics, and additional codes onto primary beverage materials.  

Secondary Packaging Solutions

Corrugated or white cases are the most common materials for secondary packaging options. Ink-jet printers can be used to print readable barcodes, texts and different graphics directly on cases at a significantly reduced cost compared to traditional labels.

However, while labels are more expensive, they require less daily maintenance in comparison and offer a clean, white background for crisp printing contrast.  

Automation & Integration for Craft Brewing

As a crafter brewery grows, an increased production line will require a shift to automated filling and packaging lines. Along with selecting coding and marking equipment, various material handling technologies, like conveyor belts and unscrambling tables, will need to be installed and integrated.

To save money and time, it is worthwhile using a coding system supplier that can serve as a project manager when first setting up your automated technology. They can offer you options within your budget and oversee the installation, integration and training processes.  

Printing Options

When considering the best printing solution for your business, it is vital to consider the available options and their unique characteristics and advantages. This will allow you to make the best investment for your business needs. 

CIJ Printer for Craft Brewing

Top-quality CIJ printers offer reliable and quality printing solutions for bottles and cans, providing a versatile printing option for any craft brewer. To fully grasp how durable a CIJ system is, compare how frequently the print head, which gets the most wear and tear in a printer, needs to be cleaned compared to other printer options. Reducing the need to clean or replace this single element can reduce labor costs and save production time.

Quality systems can provide as much as eight hours notice before ink levels run low enough to require filling or replacement, allowing operators plenty of time to perform the necessary checks and tasks to ensure the printer remains in working order.

In addition, investing in technology that is designed for easy self-maintenance can contribute to significant time and cost savings. Ensure all critical service parts are located in one place, and the manufacturer has a simple digital guide to walk operators through any updates that may need to be performed.  

Laser Printer

Craft brewers that plan to code directly onto glass bottles should consider investing in laser technology to print onto bottles or labels. Although these printing systems require a large investment upfront, it eliminates the need for inks and solvents, reducing long-term, ongoing costs. Maintenance of laser printers is often more straightforward than that of a CIJ alternative.

Laser tubes are the component of a laser printer with the biggest impact on its durability. If tubes are able to operate at a lower intensity, their lifespan can increase to at least five years. Furthermore, a tube enclosure made from stainless steel instead of plastic will further improve its longevity. 

Print-and-Apply Labels for Craft Brewing

If you choose to employ a print-and-apply system, it is important to note the significant differences between pneumatic and electric systems. Electric systems use up to 80% less force than traditional pneumatic technologies and are less likely to tip over or damage packages.

These labelling systems fail in situations when a label fails to be applied, when they are used in the wrong location, or labels are out of sequence. To mitigate these errors, purchase a system with sensors that can detect a label and its location.

Finally, electric print-and-apply options eliminate the need for shop air, cutting its overall cost by as much as half and reducing downtime by nearly 20%. 

Ink-Jet Printer

Ink-jet printers are one of the most cost-effective options for secondary packaging coding. When selecting the make and model best suited for your business, there are two main factors to consider.

Firstly, identify a system that has a shock-resistant, stainless steel construction, with an automated maintenance module that will ensure a high-quality print whale, minimizing the need for manual intervention. These simple inclusions can extend the lifespan of a print head by as much as ten years.

Secondly, high-quality ink-jet systems will allow for on-floor or in-office editing, which helps to simplify any production update. This can be done on a touch screen or personal PC.