Food Packaging Printers and Coding Machines
Print clear, durable date, batch, lot and traceability codes on flexible film, cartons, labels, bottles, jars, cans, outer cases and selected food products.
Linx continuous inkjet, thermal transfer, thermal inkjet, laser and large-character coding systems help food manufacturers match print quality, production speed and reliability to their packaging material and operating environment.
Match the printer and ink to your substrate, line speed and environment.
Print dates, batch codes, barcodes, QR codes and Data Matrix codes.
Test code quality on your own packaging before selecting a system.
To find out more information and to request your samples with no obligation, click the button below.
UK application support
Packaging sample testing
Service and training
Remote monitoring options
Choose the right food coding machine for your packaging
There is no single best printer for every food packaging line. The right technology depends on the packaging material, available print area, code content, line speed, production environment, required print durability and how the coder will integrate with the packaging equipment.
| Packaging or application | Technologies to consider | Typical selection factors |
|---|---|---|
| Flexible film, flow-wrap, pouches and VFFS/HFFS lines | TTO; CIJ for selected applications | Film type, print position, intermittent or continuous motion, code size and ribbon or ink performance |
| Bottles, jars, cans and rigid plastic packs | CIJ or laser | Material, curvature, condensation, line speed and permanence |
| Cartons, sleeves and labels | TIJ, CIJ or laser | Surface coating, resolution, print area, contrast and code content |
| Corrugated cases and outer boxes | Large-character case coding | Direct-to-box printing, barcode size, print height and replacement of labels or pre-printed cartons |
| Eggs, cheese and selected food products | CIJ with an approved direct-food ink and application setup | Food type, ink formulation, intended contact, jurisdiction and traceability requirements |
Application note: Final technology and ink selection should be confirmed through packaging tests and an integration review. Surface treatments, coatings, condensation and production conditions can materially affect print quality.
What can food packaging printers print?
Depending on the selected technology and configuration, a food coding system can print:
- Best-before and use-by dates
- Batch and lot identifiers
- Product, shift, line and production identifiers
- 1D barcodes
- QR codes and Data Matrix codes
- GS1-compatible 2D codes where supported
- Product descriptions, ingredients or variable text
- Logos and larger case-marking graphics
Food packaging printing technologies
Linx printers for food packaging are suitable for coding on a full range of packaging materials used by food manufacturers, including paper labels, cardboard and plastic packaging, bottles, and even directly onto food products themselves such as eggs or cheese.
Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) Printers
Versatile, non-contact printing for bottles, cans, cartons, plastics and other fast-moving products. Ideal for dates, batch codes and traceability information.
Thermal Transfer Overprinters
High-resolution printing for flexible films, pouches, labels and flow-wrap packaging. Ideal for text, barcodes, 2D codes and graphics.
Laser Coding Systems
Permanent, high-quality marking on compatible films, cartons, glass, metal and plastics, without ink or ribbon consumables.
Large-Character Case Coders
Print product information, dates, barcodes and logos directly onto corrugated boxes and outer cases, reducing the need for labels.
Thermal Inkjet Printers
Compact, high-resolution printing for cartons, sleeves, labels and other consistently presented packaging. Suitable for text, barcodes and QR codes.
Inks and Fluids
Application-specific inks and fluids for reliable adhesion, contrast and code durability across different packaging materials and production environments.
Contact Us
Why not get in touch with one of our sales reps to talk about how Linx can support your coding and marking needs?
Printing directly onto food
Linx configurations can print directly onto food products such as eggs and cheese using dedicated food-grade inks.
Direct-food printing must be treated as an application-specific decision. The exact food product, ink formulation, intended contact, destination market, production process and supporting technical documentation should be reviewed before implementation. The term “food grade” should not be interpreted as blanket approval for every food, jurisdiction or contact condition.
Linx currently provides a dedicated food-printing application and supporting food-grade ink information for direct coding applications.
Prepare for GS1 2D barcodes and richer traceability
As businesses adopt more data-rich packaging, QR codes and Data Matrix codes can carry or connect users to more information than a traditional linear barcode.
Depending on the data structure and application, 2D codes can support batch and expiry information, traceability, product authentication, recycling guidance and consumer-facing digital content.
Linx is listed as a GS1 UK Approved partner and offers coding technologies capable of applying GS1 2D codes in suitable configurations.
Resources – Case Study
Quality Foods: clear coding on bacon case
Scottish bacon supplier Quality Foods uses a Linx IJ355 to print the product name, pack size, product code and best-before date directly onto cardboard cases.
The Linx case study reports that the system codes 2.8 boxes per minute, with the line operating 50 hours per week throughout the year. Quality Foods identified clear printing, reliability and low ownership cost among its selection factors.
Quality Foods
Mar-Ne-Váll: direct case coding at up to 30 boxes per minute
Frozen-food producer Mar-Ne-Váll moved from labelling boxes to direct case coding following a production-line trial.
Its Linx IJ355 prints text, logos and EAN13 barcodes on up to 30 brown boxes per minute. The Linx case study reports reduced maintenance stoppages and savings on consumables following the installation.
Mar-Ne-Váll
Resources – Whitepaper, Blogs and More
Coding Systems for Lean Production White Paper
UK Food Date Coding Guides 2026-Blog
Choosing the Right Industrial Ink for Food Coding- Blog
Food Manufacturers Turning to Continuous Ink Jet- Blog
Laser Coding can be Beneficial for the Food and Beverage- Blog
Smart Coding Solutions for Confectionery & Snack- Blog
Linx Inks Brochure for food coding and marking
Linx Food Infographic
FAQ- Food Packaging Printers
In the UK, food packaging must show date-marking (e.g., “best before” or “use by”), batch/lot numbers, production dates, and in some cases origin or special storage instructions. The coding mechanism (ink-jet, laser, etc) must ensure the mark is legible, permanent (until the point of sale/use), and linked to traceability.
Batch/lot codes are essential for traceability: if there’s a recall or safety issue, the batch code allows you to identify affected products quickly, isolate them, and communicate with customers or regulators.
The substrate (plastic film, cardboard, glass, coated board, etc), surface finish, environment (freezer, wash-down, humid) and required durability all influence which coding/marking method is best. Some inks are food-safe or suitable for direct food contact, and some packages require more durable, smudge-resistant print.
1. Packaging must carry certain mandatory information such as name of food, list of ingredients, net quantity, best before/use by date, business name/address.
2. Codes/marks must be legible, permanent/indelible and visible.
3. For pre-packed goods, the net quantity must comply with the UK Weights & Measures regulations.
4. Packaging material itself must be suitable for food contact.