Expiry, manufacturing date, and lot codes at line speed

Date and lot coding is the most common industrial marking job: a clear expiry or manufacturing date, a lot or batch code, and often a time or shift mark. The right technology depends on the pack, the line speed, and whether the code sits on a primary container, a flexible film, or a carton.

Choosing a coder

• Cx500 and Cx600 CIJ printers for non-contact codes on bottles, cans, and mixed substrates. Official Cx-series line speed is up to 315 m/min for 1–5 lines.
• DH200 Series TTO for date, expiration, serial, batch, and time-to-the-second codes on intermittent flexible packaging machines and labelers — 24×20 mm or 32×20 mm print area, 203 dpi, up to 200 packs per minute.
• H200 Series TIJ for high-resolution dates on cartons, films, and labels — 100 m/min at 150×300 DPI, resolution up to 600 DPI.
• L1000 CO₂, L3000 UV, or the 4005 compact UV when a permanent, ink-free mark is preferred on compatible materials.

Substrate and consumable fit

Dye and pigment CIJ variants are offered on selected Cx and RX680 models; the H200 Series uses standard 45-type, 42 ml cartridges in water-based, mild-solvent, and UV inks; DH200 uses 300 m wax/resin or resin ribbons. Always confirm contrast and adhesion with sample prints on the actual film, carton, or container. The ink and consumables guide summarizes the officially stated options.

Related industry pages

Date coding is central to food and beverage and packaging and filling lines, and it also appears on pharmaceutical cartons and labels. Share line speed, pack samples, and the exact date format when you request a configuration.

Specification checklist

• Pack type and substrate — bottle, can, film, pouch, carton, or label
• Line speed or packs per minute, and whether the machine is continuous or intermittent
• Exact date format, lot or batch rules, and whether a time or shift mark is required
• Number of print lines and character height, if specified (Cx-series character height is typically 1.8–15 mm depending on font; CIJ print distance is up to 30 mm)
• If TTO is in scope, the required print area (DH200 is 24×20 mm or 32×20 mm) and packs per minute (published maximum 200)

Send pack samples with this list through the inquiry form. Related work also appears in logistics when the same date sits on a case, and in serialization when the date is paired with a unique identifier.