Quality Foods improved case coding with Linx IJ355 

Reliable, low cost, high definition coding on outer cardboard cases for the food industry.  

The Challenge

Packs of bacon are placed by hand into brown cardboard boxes before travelling by conveyor past the coder.

Quality Foods needed a robust machine capable of applying large, legible messages consistently in this working environment, without creating unnecessary downtime or consumable waste. 

Key Issues: 

• Other machines tested during trials did not match the required reliability and performance. 
• Cases needed clear product identification, including product name, pack size, product code and best-before date. 
• The required print formats were large: 205 × 40 mm and 183 × 45 mm. 
• Ease of use, accurate code selection and price per print were important purchasing criteria. 
• The coding solution needed to support year-round operation while keeping downtime and running costs low. 

The Linx Solution

Quality Foods trialled the Linx IJ355 and selected it after the machine proved more reliable and better performing than the alternatives tested. Installed alongside the conveyor, the printer applies product information directly to one side of each outer case at 2.8 boxes per minute. 

The IJ355 provides a cost-effective alternative to labelling or pre-printing secondary packaging. Its simple user interface supports clear, error-free code selection, while its robust design suits an environment where boxes pass close to the printhead. 

Together with its sister machine, the Linx IJ375, the IJ355 offers an easy-to-use alternative to other large-character printers as well as to case labels and pre-printed secondary packaging. 

The ReFRESH® ink recirculation system removes ink and dust from the nozzles using an ink purge and air knife. The recovered ink is filtered and returned ready for printing, maintaining print quality while avoiding waste during printhead cleaning. A stainless-steel nozzle guard protects the printhead from possible impact without compromising the close positioning needed for high-quality print. 

What Happened Next 

• The Linx IJ355 was assessed alongside other machines during on-site trials. 

• Its reliability and performance made it the preferred solution. 

• The printer was integrated with the conveyor carrying hand-packed bacon cases. 

• Operators gained a simple interface for selecting the correct code. 

• The ink recirculation and printhead-protection features provided a route to lower downtime and consumable costs. 

Results & Business Impact  

436,000 cartons coded per year

2.8 boxes per minute

50 operating hours per week

Since implementation, Quality Foods has benefited from: 

• Reliable performance on a line coding 2.8 boxes per minute. 
• Clear, high-definition printing directly onto brown cardboard cases. 
• Simple operation and straightforward, error-free code selection. 
• A lower-cost coding approach compared with case labelling. 
• Reduced ink waste during printhead cleaning through the ReFRESH® recirculation system. 

“Clear printing ease of use and price per print were key factors for us and the Linx IJ355 delivers on all counts” – Allan Park – Quality Foods 

Why It Worked

The Linx IJ355 delivered the combination Quality Foods prioritised: 

• Reliable performance validated through trials 

• Clear large-format case coding 

• Ease of use 

• Low price per print 

• Low-waste ink recirculation 
• Robust construction and printhead protection 

Together, these capabilities created a dependable alternative to labels or pre-printed outer packaging and supported consistent production all year round. 

Conclusion 

Linx Printing Technologies provided Quality Foods with a robust, easy-to-use case coding solution tailored to the demands of its bacon packing operation. The Linx IJ355 combines dependable performance, clear direct-to-case printing and low-waste ink management, helping the Aberdeen supplier control operating costs while coding 436,800 cartons each year.