Coding & Marking on Coated Metal
We provide a variety of product identification coding solutions for coated metal marking, components and products made from coated metal. Printing onto fast production lines or awkward places including metal bottle tops and curved coated metal can surfaces, with no compromise on either reliability or quality of print to the package.
Linx coated metal marking systems are complete solutions which quickly and cost effectively resolve your need to mark your coated metal product, with casings that are designed to resist contaminants such as dust and water, further suiting them to these difficult production environments.
At Linx, we understand these surfaces often resist ink adhesion, suffer from distortion over curves, or are exposed to harsh production conditions (moisture, dust, physical contact). That’s why we offer robust CIJ printing and laser marking technologies for printing on coated metal that deliver crisp, durable, highly visible codes on coated metal, even under demanding environments.
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Why Coated Metal Marking is Challenging
- Adhesion Issues: Coating layers can prevent standard inks from bonding well, causing smudging, peeling, or fading.
- Surface Contour & Curvature: Bottle caps, curved can walls and shaped components complicate the printing process and can reduce readability if the print technology doesn’t adjust well.
- Environmental Stress: Exposure to moisture, heat, condensation, and frequent handling puts extra strain on ink performance. Coated metal surfaces may also be slippery or oily.
- Code Contrast & Visibility: Coated surfaces (e.g. dark varnish or paint) often require higher contrast or specialty inks/laser removal to make text/logo/barcodes legible.
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Linx Coding & Marking Solutions for Coated Metal
Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) Printing
- High-quality CIJ printers with special inks formulated for coated metal ensure fast adhesion, quick drying, and resistance to smearing.
- Models rated for IP55/IP65 help protect against spray, dust or water ingress.
- Right-angle printheads or flexible mounting allow printing in difficult-to-reach or curved spots (caps, curved cans).
- Some inks are designed to penetrate light oils or work under variable ambient conditions to retain integrity of the print.
Laser Marking
- CO₂ and fibre-laser options can ablate or remove coating (paint/varnish) to reveal contrast underneath, producing permanent and high-visibility codes.
- Ideal for batch codes, date codes, logos, even 2D codes on curved cans or coated lids.
- Minimal consumables (no ink) and long operational life for laser units, good for traceability and low maintenance.
Tips to Maximize Coated Metal Marking Print
- Surface Preparation: Ensure the coating is clean, free of oils or dust, and properly cured before printing on coated metal.
- Right Technology Choice: For permanent removal of coating, laser may outperform ink; for coverage and ease, pigmented ink may be better.
- Proper Printer Mounting & Distance: Adjust for curved surfaces so focus and print clarity are optimized.
- Use Appropriate Ink Types: Match ink chemistry to coating type and environment.
- Regular Maintenance & Inspection: Clean nozzles or laser heads, check filters, maintain alignment especially for curved or rotating parts.
Related Industries
Construction
Coding and marking solutions for the construction industry since 1987.
Bottle Printing
Bottle label printing machines are designed to integrate seamlessly into production lines, handling various line speeds.