Quick answer: PTS Technology helps pharmaceutical, health supplement and healthcare-product manufacturers evaluate BENTSAI thermal inkjet (TIJ) coding options for customer-specified variable information such as batch or lot numbers, manufacturing dates, expiry dates, serial numbers and machine-readable codes. The correct setup depends on the actual packaging material, ink compatibility, print position, production method and the customer's documented approval process.
Variable Data Coding for Healthcare Packaging
Healthcare packaging often carries information that changes by production run. A coding system may be used to apply customer-specified variable data to suitable packaging after the fixed artwork and required label content have been determined by the product owner.
- Batch or lot number
- Manufacturing date and expiry date
- Serial number or internal identification
- Barcode, QR code or other machine-readable data where specified by the customer for the intended purpose
- Variable text for secondary cartons and outer cases
PTS Technology provides product information, available manufacturer documentation and certificates supplied for the relevant equipment or consumables, where available. Customers are responsible for independently confirming the information required on their packaging, determining the requirements applicable to their products, and approving the final message, material, ink, print position and verification method before production. PTS Technology does not provide legal, regulatory, quality-system or product-registration advice.
Packaging Applications That Can Be Evaluated
- Folding cartons: batch, date, serial and customer-specified machine-readable data on suitable coated or uncoated areas.
- Bottles and rigid containers: coding on the container or label after ink adhesion, drying and rub resistance have been checked.
- Foil, film and pouches: application testing is essential because surface treatment, coating and handling conditions vary.
- Medical-device pouches and cartons: use only a print position confirmed by the customer after assessing the packaging, seal, barrier function and existing information.
- Shipping cartons: lot, routing or internal identification for warehouse handling and traceability workflows.
Important: Before production, the customer must confirm that the selected print area does not interfere with existing packaging information, seals, barrier functions or other package features. The customer is responsible for approving the final message, substrate, ink, location and verification method.
Six Checks Before Selecting a Coding Setup
| Check |
Why It Matters |
| Customer-confirmed message |
The printer should reproduce only the variable data provided and confirmed by the customer. |
| Actual packaging material |
Carton coating, plastic type, foil, label stock and surface treatment affect ink performance. |
| Ink adhesion and drying |
A sample test helps assess readability, drying behaviour and resistance to normal handling. |
| Print size and position |
The code must fit the customer-confirmed print area without obscuring other information. |
| Manual or inline workflow |
Handheld printing suits controlled low-volume or irregular work; inline printing suits repeatable conveyor-based production. |
| Verification and records |
Operators need an agreed method to check the message, first print, changeover and production records. |
Handheld or Inline TIJ Printing?
Handheld coding
A handheld BENTSAI printer may suit controlled secondary-packaging work, samples, rework or lower-volume operations where an operator can position and verify each print. A guide plate or fixture may improve consistency on repeated jobs.
Inline coding
An inline BENTSAI system may suit cartons, labels or other customer-selected packaging moving on a conveyor. The final configuration should be selected after reviewing line speed, sensor position, print distance, code height, message frequency and available mounting space.
A Practical Customer Verification Workflow
- Confirm the message: obtain the variable-data format and print area confirmed by the customer.
- Test the actual substrate and ink: use the real packaging under representative handling conditions.
- Confirm print position and operation: document the message, location, settings and operator method.
- Record and verify: check the first print, changeovers and production output according to the customer's quality procedure.
Explore Suitable BENTSAI Options
PTS can help compare BENTSAI handheld inkjet printers and industrial inline inkjet printers based on the application. You may also return to our Coding & Marking Solutions by Application page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can one ink be used on every pharmaceutical package?
No. Ink selection depends on the actual substrate, coating, surface treatment and handling conditions. A sample test should be completed and reviewed by the customer before production use.
Can a TIJ printer make a package compliant?
No. PTS supplies coding equipment and available supporting product documentation. The customer remains responsible for determining and confirming all packaging information, approvals, checks and production controls.
Can QR codes be printed on pharmaceutical packaging?
Technically, suitable TIJ systems can print machine-readable codes, but their content, purpose and placement must be provided, positioned and confirmed by the customer before production use.
When is handheld printing appropriate?
It may suit controlled, lower-volume, irregular or rework tasks where each print can be positioned and verified by an operator.
What should be provided for a PTS application review?
Prepare the actual packaging samples, required message, target print area, production speed or daily volume, and details of the handling environment.
Need an application review? Send PTS Technology your packaging sample and required code. Contact us through WhatsApp at +60 14-360 0265.
This page provides general product and application information only. PTS Technology does not provide legal, regulatory, quality-system, validation or product-registration advice. Customers must independently verify the requirements applicable to their products and approve the final production setup.
？
