If you run a food business in Malaysia — whether you manufacture kuih, pack frozen meals, produce beverages, or sell homemade sauces — you are legally required to print an expiry date on your packaging. Failing to do so is not just a labelling oversight; it is a violation of the Food Regulations 1985 enforced by the Ministry of Health Malaysia, and can result in fines, product recalls, or even prosecution.
But with so many types of printers available in the market — handheld inkjet printers, industrial coding machines, label printers, and more — how do you know which one is right for your business? This guide answers all the common questions Malaysian food business owners ask before purchasing an expiry date printer.

Part 1: Legal Requirements — What Does Malaysian Law Say?

Q1: Is it compulsory to print an expiry date on food packaging in Malaysia?

Yes, absolutely. Under the Food Regulations 1985 (Peraturan-Peraturan Makanan 1985) issued by the Ministry of Health Malaysia, all pre-packaged food products sold in Malaysia must display a date marking — either an expiry date or a date of minimum durability — prominently on the packaging. This applies to both locally manufactured products and imported goods.
Failure to label food products correctly can result in enforcement action under the Food Act 1983, including product seizures, fines, and legal prosecution. The regulation is enforced by Ministry of Health food safety officers who carry out routine inspections at factories, supermarkets, and food production premises.

Q2: What format must the expiry date be printed in?

According to the Food Regulations 1985, the expiry date must be printed in the day/month/year (DD/MM/YYYY) format. The date marking must appear conspicuously and prominently on the label, in lettering that is no smaller than 10 points, in a colour that contrasts strongly with the background. The date must be permanently marked — it cannot be written by hand or applied as a removable sticker that could fall off or be tampered with.
Common acceptable formats include:

• EXP: 31/12/2025
• BEST BEFORE: 31 DEC 2025
• USE BY: 31/12/25

The words used to introduce the date — such as 'Expiry Date', 'Best Before', or 'Use By' — must also appear clearly and must not mislead consumers.

Q3: Does this apply to home-based food businesses (IKS and cottage industry)?

Yes. Even if you are a home-based food business registered under KKLIU or operating as a cottage food producer, you are still required to label your products correctly if they are sold commercially — whether at a pasar malam, through Shopee or Lazada, or via WhatsApp orders. The Food Regulations 1985 apply to any pre-packaged food sold to consumers in Malaysia, regardless of the size of the business.

Part 2: Types of Expiry Date Printers — Which Is Right for You?

Q4: What types of printers can I use to print expiry dates in Malaysia?

There are several types of coding and marking printers available in Malaysia. The most common ones used by food businesses are:

• Thermal Inkjet (TIJ) Handheld Printers — portable, affordable, easy to use, no maintenance. Best for SMEs and small-to-medium food manufacturers. Example: Bentsai B35.
• Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) Machines — high-speed industrial systems for large production lines. Expensive upfront and requires regular maintenance and servicing.
• Thermal Transfer Overprinters (TTO) — used primarily on flexible film packaging. Requires ribbon and a fixed machine head. Common in pouch and sachet packing lines.
• Laser Coders — uses laser to etch markings permanently. No ink required. High upfront cost but low running cost. Suitable for certain plastic and glass surfaces.
• Label Printers (sticker labels) — prints expiry dates on adhesive labels that are then manually applied. Slower but does not require direct printing on the packaging.

For most Malaysian SMEs and food businesses, a handheld thermal inkjet printer such as the Bentsai 6205/6210 Series are the most practical and cost-effective solution.
 

Q5: What is the difference between a handheld inkjet printer and a fixed coding machine?

A handheld inkjet printer is portable — you hold it in your hand and slide it across the surface you want to print on. It runs on a rechargeable battery, requires no external power source, and can be used anywhere — on the production floor, in a cold room, or at a packing table. Handheld printers are extremely flexible and can print on carton boxes, plastic bags, bottles, cans, and more.
A fixed coding machine is installed permanently on a conveyor belt or production line. It prints automatically as products pass the printhead. Fixed machines are faster but cannot be moved, require installation, and are significantly more expensive.

Q6: Handheld TIJ vs CIJ — which should I choose for my food business?

Here is a side-by-side comparison to help you decide:
 

Factor	Handheld TIJ Printer	Fixed CIJ Printer
Upfront cost	Low — affordable for SMEs	High — 5× more expensive
Maintenance	Near zero — swap cartridge	Regular servicing required
Print resolution	Up to 600 DPI	75–300 DPI
Portability	Fully portable, handheld	Fixed, stationary
Ease of use	No training needed	Requires trained operator
Ink type	Water-based or solvent	Solvent-based only
Best for	SMEs, food, warehouse, e-com	High-speed industrial lines
Surfaces	Paper, carton, plastic, glass, metal	Wide range including curved
Environment	Clean, no fumes	Solvents — needs ventilation

For most Malaysian food businesses — especially SMEs, home industries, food manufacturers with output below 1,000 units per hour, and businesses that print on multiple packaging types — a Bentsai handheld TIJ printer is the right choice. It is affordable, requires no maintenance, and is ready to use straight out of the box.

Part 3: Choosing the Right Printer for Your Packaging Material

Q7: Can I print directly on plastic packaging?

Yes, but you need to use the correct ink. Plastic is a non-porous surface, which means standard water-based ink will not adhere properly and may smudge or rub off. To print on plastic bags, PP packaging, PE films, PET bottles, and similar materials, you need a fast-drying solvent-based ink cartridge.
Bentsai printers such as the B35 and BT-HH6105B3 support both water-based ink (for porous surfaces like cardboard) and solvent-based fast-dry ink (for non-porous surfaces like plastic, glass, and aluminium foil). Simply swap the cartridge to switch between surface types.

Q8: What surfaces can a Bentsai handheld printer print on?

Bentsai handheld inkjet printers can print on a very wide range of surfaces:

• Porous surfaces (water-based ink): cardboard, carton boxes, paper, wood, fabric, fiberboard
• Non-porous surfaces (solvent fast-dry ink): plastic bags, PET/PE/PP bottles, glass, metal cans, aluminium foil, ceramic
• Semi-porous surfaces: leather, coated paper, woven bags, kraft paper

Q9: My packaging is transparent plastic. Can the printer still print on it?

Yes. Bentsai offers white solvent ink cartridges for printing on transparent or dark-coloured packaging where black ink would not be visible. This is especially useful for transparent food bags, dark-coloured bottles, or black packaging pouches where you need a visible, readable expiry date.

Q10: I pack products in cold storage. Will the ink still stick?

This is a common concern for businesses packing frozen food, chilled beverages, or dairy products. The key is to print before the product enters cold storage, and to ensure the surface is dry and frost-free at the time of printing. Bentsai's fast-dry solvent inks are designed to adhere quickly — typically drying in 2 to 5 seconds — which minimises the risk of smudging even in cooler environments. For extremely cold or wet surfaces, contact PTS Technology for guidance on the appropriate ink type.

Q11: I am a small home-based food business. Which model do you recommend?

For home-based food businesses, cottage industry producers, and small SMEs just starting out, the Bentsai B30 or B35 is the ideal starting point. Both are lightweight, affordable, and extremely easy to use with no technical knowledge required. The 6205/6210 Series are the more versatile of the two as it supports both water-based and solvent-based inks, making it suitable for a wider range of packaging materials as your business grows.

Q12: I need to print on both carton boxes AND plastic bags. Which model handles both?

The 6205/6210 Series are the best all-rounder for businesses that print on multiple surface types. By simply switching between a water-based ink cartridge (for cardboard and carton boxes) and a solvent fast-dry ink cartridge (for plastic bags, PET bottles, and foil packaging), you can use the same printer for all your packaging surfaces. No need to buy separate machines.
 

Part 6: Buying, Support and After-Sales in Malaysia

Q13: Where can I buy a Bentsai expiry date printer in Malaysia?

Bentsai handheld inkjet printers are available exclusively through PTS Technology Sdn Bhd — the official authorised exclusive distributor in Malaysia. You can purchase online at www.ptstsb.com or contact us directly for a product demonstration, personalised recommendation, or bulk pricing.
Address: No. 10-2 Jalan Rampai Niaga 4, Rampai Business Park, 53300 Kuala Lumpur
Phone/WhatsApp: +60143600265
Website: www.ptstsb.com

Q14: Is there after-sales support available in Malaysia?

Yes. PTS Technology provides full after-sales support for all Bentsai printers purchased through us, including technical assistance via WhatsApp, replacement ink cartridges, spare parts, and printer troubleshooting. We are based in Kuala Lumpur and serve customers across all states in Peninsular and East Malaysia.

Q15: Can I get a demo before buying?

Yes. We offer product demonstrations for interested buyers — especially for businesses purchasing multiple units or evaluating the printer for a specific packaging application. WhatsApp us at +60143600265 to arrange a demo at our Kuala Lumpur office or via video call.
 

Summary: Key Takeaways for Malaysian Food Businesses

• Printing an expiry date on food packaging is a legal requirement under the Food Regulations 1985 in Malaysia.
• The date must be in DD/MM/YYYY format, printed prominently in contrasting colour, minimum 10-point size.
• Handheld thermal inkjet printers (TIJ) like the Bentsai range are the most cost-effective and easy-to-use option for SMEs.
• Choose water-based ink for porous surfaces (cardboard, carton, wood) and solvent fast-dry ink for non-porous surfaces (plastic, glass, metal).
• Bentsai printers support auto date/time, barcodes, QR codes, logos, and variable data — all in one device.
• PTS Technology Sdn Bhd is the exclusive Bentsai distributor in Malaysia with full local after-sales support.