What is the difference between Continuous inkjet （CIJ） and Thermal inkjet （TIJ）?

CIJ (Continuous Inkjet) and TIJ (Thermal Foam Inkjet) are two common coding technologies, which are significantly different in their working principles, application scenarios, and advantages and disadvantages.

How do CIJ work?

The CIJ machine is capable of dispensing two different types of liquid. One is ink, the other is a solvent. Once the liquids are flowing into the main tank, they will be mixed.

Vibration breaks up the ink flow into large numbers of droplets. After that, the specific ink droplets are charged by electrodes. The droplet stream passes through deflection plates that generate an electrostatic field. After being pressurized, inks print out from nozzle. Uncharged ink drops are not deflected but return to the CIJ ink system.

The advantages of CIJ?

1. Suitable for non-contact and long-distance printing. Good for fragile products and uneven surfaces printing.
2. Product later stage is cost effective.
3. CIJ print heads can be used with a variety of general and special inks.

How do TIJ work?

The machine employs a “drop ejection” process, whereby the ink is heated with resistors, resulting in the formation of vapor bubbles. As the bubble expands, it propels the ink towards the surface of the material being printed. Upon the ink drop’s departure from the ink nozzle, the bubble collapses, creating a vacuum, and the process repeats.

The advantages of TIJ ?

1. Apply on the larger text, more High-Resolution barcodes, such as GS1/HIBCC. Mostly used on pharmaceutical Industry.
2. Less maintenance cost, the only cost is inks consumables.
3. Better for people and environment.
4. Small design of outfit, moving conveniently. It suit for production of large materials such as wood and building materials that are difficult to move in small spaces.
5. Cheaper price than CIJ.

Cost comparison

Optimize cost calculation based on business needs, thermal ink-jet printer is the cost effective options. Whether in terms of initial investment cost or after-sales maintenance. CIJ printers represent a higher initial cost of investment and complex maintenance process.We provide thermal ink-jet printers that improve production line output at low ownership costs. If you want to know more about our user-friendly TIJ printers we will help you get started today.