01Industry
Coding & labeling for the pharmaceutical industry
Batch numbers, expiry dates and 2D codes on cartons, labels and single-dose packs — with printers that PACODE lists for pharmaceutical production, including models for closed facilities.
01 Coding challenges
What needs marking in pharmaceutical
Pharmaceutical is one of the industries PACODE names on its About page and on several product pages. The coding work is mostly the same few pieces of information, printed accurately on every pack: manufacturing and expiry dates, batch numbers and, where a line needs machine-readable data, barcodes and DataMatrix codes.
The equipment PACODE lists for the sector ranges from compact thermal inkjet coders to an IP65 printer with a self-cleaning nozzle plate that PACODE recommends for pharmaceuticals in closed facilities, plus UV-invisible ribbons for covert marking and a single-dose sachet format.
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Dates and batch numbers on every pack
Manufacturing and expiry dates and batch numbers are the core of pharmaceutical coding. Thermal inkjet coders update dates automatically — date/time from the Basic configuration and date offsets from Advanced, according to PACODE’s comparison tables.
Date & batch coding - 02
Machine-readable 2D codes
Integra One prints logos, variable text, barcodes and DataMatrix codes at up to 600 dpi; 2D codes are available in the Pro configurations of X1JET and Integra systems.
Barcode & 2D code printing - 03
Printing in closed facilities
Integra Ultimate closes and cleans its nozzle plate at every standstill, and its printhead can be wet-cleaned without covering or dismantling. PACODE lists it for pharmaceuticals in closed facilities.
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Covert marking
IIMAK’s UV-invisible resin ribbon prints an image that fluoresces only under UV light — the manufacturer positions it for brand authentication and covert track & trace, and lists pharmaceutical and medical among its markets.
Product labeling
02 Requirements & packages
Common packages and surfaces
- Cartons & cardboard Absorbent surfaces coded by X1JET and Integra thermal inkjet printers.
- Labels Thermal transfer ribbons for label printing; UV-invisible resin lists PP and PET receivers.
- Foils & plastics IP-JET HP lists foils and plastics; Integra One prints non-absorbent surfaces with solvent-based ink.
- Single-dose sachets Easysnap® replaces conventional sachets, small tubes and bottles for pharmaceutical products.
Commonly printed
Information on the pack
- Manufacturing date
- Expiry date
- Batch number
- Counters
- 1D barcodes
- DataMatrix / 2D codes
- Logos & text
Based on PACODE’s About page (manufacturing and expiry dates, batch numbers, price) and the capabilities of the products below.
03 Technologies
Which technology fits
Select a technology to see why it suits pharmaceutical and which PACODE models apply.
Thermal Inkjet Printers
High-resolution dates, batch numbers and 2D codes on cartons and labels; IP65 models for wet-cleaned and closed areas.
Inkjet Print Controllers
X2JET / X4JET drive several printheads for two-sided coding or two lines; PACODE lists them for pharmaceutical packaging.
Consumables
UV-invisible resin ribbons for covert marking on labels.
04 Recommended equipment
PACODE products for pharmaceutical
Models PACODE lists for the pharmaceutical industry, plus models marked “also suitable” where a published capability supports the use.
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Markoprint Thermal inkjet
X1JET HP
A compact all-in-one thermal inkjet coder — controller and printhead in one aluminium housing — for 12.5 mm codes on absorbent and semi-absorbent surfaces.
- Max. print height
- 12.5 mm
- Max. speed
- 90 m/min (Pro)
- Protection
- IP40
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Markoprint Thermal inkjet
Integra Ultimate
An IP65 thermal inkjet printer that automatically closes and cleans its nozzle plate at every standstill — for sporadic use and hard-to-reach printheads.
- Max. print height
- 25 mm
- Protection
- IP65
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Markoprint Thermal inkjet
IP-JET HP
A sealed, pressurised all-in-one thermal inkjet printer rated IP65 — built for dusty and wet production areas.
- Protection
- IP65
- Resolution
- Up to 600 dpi
- Max. speed
- 180 m/min (Ultimate)
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Markoprint Print controllers
X2JET / X4JET
Compact, standalone print controllers with a 5.7″ touchscreen — X2JET drives 2 printheads, X4JET drives 4, on one or two production lines.
- Printheads
- 2 (X2JET) · 4 (X4JET)
- Production lines
- 2
- Display
- 5.7″ touch TFT
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Easysnap
Easysnap® one-hand sachet
A patented single-dose sachet that opens and dispenses with one hand — fold it in half and it snaps open.
View product: Easysnap Easysnap® one-hand sachet -
Markoprint Thermal inkjet
Integra One / One IP
Also suitable Prints DataMatrix codes at up to 600 dpi and is designed for integration into production systems.
- Max. speed
- 180 m/min (Pro)
- Resolution
- Up to 600 dpi
- Protection
- IP40 · IP65 (One IP)
From the datasheets
Sourced notes
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UV-invisible resin ribbon
The manufacturer lists automotive, medical, pharmaceutical and durable goods as markets, and describes the printed image as fluorescing under UV light for brand authentication and covert track & trace.
Source: IIMAK datasheet (PACODE-hosted PDF) (opens in a new tab)
05 Connections
From industry to application to product
Related applications
- Date & batch codingManufacturing and expiry dates, batch and lot numbers — printed on every pack by contact or non-contact coders, inline or by hand.
- Barcode & 2D code printing1D barcodes and DataMatrix codes printed inline on packs and cartons — with counters, date offsets and variable data from a database or a PLC.
- Product labelingLabel dispensing and print-and-apply on the production line — plus thermal transfer ribbons for printing the labels themselves.
Related industries
Pharmaceutical · request a quote
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