Product identity
Product name, variant, size, grade, stock code and handling description.
Secondary-pack and product marking
Large-character DOD inkjet printers
Direct-to-pack printing for corrugated cases, trays, sacks, timber and other porous products moving through production or dispatch.
Print directly on the outer pack
Large, clear identification without applying a label.
Large-character drop-on-demand printers are frequently installed beside case conveyors to mark outer packaging as it passes. This can simplify stock control for pre-printed cases and reduce the number of labels used for variable product information.
Applications range from one line of bold text to higher-resolution content that includes logos, handling marks and machine-readable codes. The right system depends on the required print height, resolution, number of lines, substrate, speed and verification target.
DOD printheads can be integrated at side-of-line case height.Direct marking content
What a case or sack can carry.
Traceability
Batch, line, shift, date and manufacturing details for outer-pack identification.
Graphics
Logos, symbols and handling marks where the selected resolution and artwork allow.
Barcodes
Linear or 2D codes in suitable high-resolution applications, subject to verification trials.
DOD technology choices
Bold valve-jet or high-resolution case printing?
The term DOD covers more than one print style. Define the customer-facing result before selecting the printhead.
| Consideration | Valve-jet large character | High-resolution DOD |
|---|---|---|
| Typical result | Robust, bold alphanumeric marking | Finer text, graphics and selected codes |
| Surface tolerance | Often suited to rougher porous surfaces | Benefits from a stable, consistent surface |
| Print control | Simple large characters and messages | More detailed layouts and variable content |
| Key trial | Legibility and ink behaviour | Resolution, ink spread and code grade |
DOD selection checklist
Start with the case artwork and conveyor.
- Maximum print height and message width
- Text, logo and barcode content
- Board colour, porosity and surface consistency
- Case speed, gap and side presentation
- One-sided or multi-sided printing
- Data source, job changes and operator controls
- Required barcode verification grade, if applicable
Important: barcode performance should be proven on the real board and at production conditions before it becomes an acceptance criterion.
Large-character FAQs
Questions about DOD case coding.
What is a large-character DOD printer?
A drop-on-demand printer fires ink only when a dot is required. Industrial large-character systems are commonly used to print text, symbols and simple graphics directly onto outer packaging and other porous materials.
Can DOD replace case labels?
It can reduce or remove labels in suitable applications, particularly where fixed or variable information can be printed directly on corrugated board. Barcode quality, colour, surface and customer requirements must be checked.
Can a DOD printer print logos and barcodes?
Many systems support logos and some support machine-readable codes. The achievable result depends on printhead resolution, substrate, code size, ink spread, product control and the grading requirement.
How many sides of a case can be printed?
One or more printheads can be arranged to print different faces where the conveyor and available space allow. Each print position needs its own mounting, trigger and product-control assessment.
Case coding decisions
Compare print cost, board quality and machine-readable data.
Case coder cost
Budget printheads, mounts, controls, inks and commissioning as one system.
Cost guideCorrugated and porous surfaces
Assess board absorbency, colour, roughness and recycled content.
Substrate guideGS1 and 2D case codes
Plan symbol size, resolution, data, contrast and verification.
2D code guideSend us the case, code and line speed.
Oxford Traceability can help define print height, resolution, ink, number of printheads and the mounting approach for the conveyor.