Salcombe Brewery Reduces Manual Labelling with Linx CIJ and Large Character Marking

Reliable can date coding and professional outer box marking for a growing Devon brewery. 

The Challenge

Salcombe Brewery previously used multiple pre-printed box types for different products, which took up valuable storage space. 

To simplify packaging, the brewery moved to generic branded boxes. However, this meant product information had to be added manually using labels. 

As production volumes and label costs increased, Salcombe needed a faster, cleaner and more professional way to code its outer packaging. 

Key Issues: 

• Multiple pre-printed box types increased packaging inventory.  
• Generic boxes reduced stock complexity but created a manual labelling step.  
• Rising production volumes made hand labelling less efficient.  
• Label costs increased over time. 

The brewery needed clean, professional, product-specific codes on outer boxes. 

The Linx Solution

Salcombe Brewery first approached Linx after Head Brewer and Director Sam Beaman received positive feedback from other breweries using Linx printers. 

Linx initially installed a CIJ printer in 2021 to print date codes on the bottom of cans. As Salcombe’s packaging needs developed, Linx then supplied a Large Character Marking printer for use across the brewery’s canning and bottling packaging lines. 

The solution gave Salcombe the flexibility to continue using generic branded boxes while printing the required product information directly onto the outer packaging. 

Linx’s large character case coders are designed to replace expensive labels and pre-printed packaging, printing details such as barcodes, QR codes, best-before dates, product IDs and logos directly onto cardboard, carton boxes, paper and other porous materials. Linx CIJ printers are also suited to fast, non-contact date and batch coding across materials including metal, glass, plastic and cartons, making them relevant for beverage lines using cans and bottles.

What Happened Next 

• Linx installed a CIJ printer for can date coding in 2021.  
• Salcombe continued to rely on Linx as production requirements evolved.  
• A Linx Large Character Marking printer was added for outer packaging.  
• The LCM printer supported both canning and bottling packaging lines.  
• Salcombe secured a service and maintenance agreement to protect uptime. 

Results & Business Impact  

Salcombe secured a service and maintenance agreement due to the quality of service they received from Linx. When an issue arises, Linx are able to get an engineer out either the same day or next day, and Sam explains when working in a busy production environment that relies on the technology, this fast support is crucial.  

Since implementation, Salcombe Brewery has benefited from: 

• Reduced packaging inventory  
• Less manual labour during higher-volume production  
• Reduced reliance on adhesive labels  
• Professional, high-quality codes on outer packaging  
• Reliable can date coding  
• Flexible coding across canning and bottling packaging lines  
• Fast service support from the Linx team 

“Evolving from a small brewery to increasing volume and having that reliability that keeps label costs down and gives a professional finish is crucial” Sam Beaman – Head Brewer and Director

Why It Worked

The Linx CIJ and LCM printers gave Salcombe Brewery a flexible coding setup for both primary and secondary packaging. 

The CIJ printer delivers reliable date coding on cans, while the Large Character Marking printer allows product information to be printed directly onto generic outer boxes. 

This helped Salcombe reduce manual work, improve packaging flexibility and maintain a professional finish.  

The Linx solution delivered: 

• Direct coding onto cans and outer boxes  
• Reduced reliance on labels and pre-printed packaging  
• A cleaner, more professional pack appearance  
• Better flexibility across different product lines  
• Support for both canning and bottling operations  
• Reliable service response when production support is needed  

About Salcombe Brewery 

Salcombe Brewery is a Devon-based brewery producing a range of beers from its Estuary View Brewery overlooking the Salcombe Estuary. The brewery produces cask, keg, bottled and canned products, with its packaging site supporting bottling, canning, kegging, packaging and distribution.  

As the brewery evolved from a smaller operation into higher-volume production, reliable coding became an important part of maintaining efficiency, traceability and brand presentation. 

Conclusion 

Linx Printing Technologies provided Salcombe Brewery with a future-ready coding solution for cans and outer packaging. 

By combining CIJ can coding with Large Character Marking for boxes, Salcombe reduced packaging complexity, cut manual labelling and achieved a professional finish across its packaging lines.