Thermal Inkjet vs Thermal Transfer Overprinting
How leading confectionery manufacturers in Pakistan reduced costs and improved reliability by switching to TIJ on flexible packaging lines.
01 — Executive Summary
Interlink Engineering compared TIJ and TTO for date and batch coding on flexible packaging — then deployed TIJ at two major confectionery manufacturers with measurable savings.
The results demonstrated lower operating costs, reduced maintenance, improved uptime, and simplified line operation. For many flexible packaging applications, Thermal Inkjet emerged as the superior solution.
02 — Background
Why we challenged TTO
Many confectionery manufacturers traditionally use Thermal Transfer Overprinters to print manufacturing & expiry dates, batch numbers, prices, and promotional codes. While proven, TTO requires consumable ribbons, regular maintenance, and frequent operator intervention.
- Manufacturing dates
- Expiry dates
- Batch numbers
- Prices
- Promotional codes
03 — Methodology
Eight evaluation axes
04 — Implementation
Deployed on high-speed lines at two confectionery plants.
05 — Results
Before TTO → After TIJ
06 — Key Benefits
Outcomes the line teams felt every shift.
Cost Savings
Elimination of ribbon usage and lower maintenance reduced overall coding costs significantly.
Reduced Downtime
Simplified design with fewer moving parts improved machine availability.
Easy Operation
Operators no longer needed to manage ribbon threading and frequent adjustments.
Lower Maintenance
Reduced mechanical wear minimized spare parts replacement.
Consistent Print Quality
Sharp, high-resolution codes maintained throughout production.
07 — Where TIJ Fits
Recommended applications
Beyond confectionery, TIJ excels on porous and semi-porous substrates across food, personal care, and pharma packaging.
08 — Conclusion
“TIJ has proven to be a reliable, low-maintenance, and cost-effective alternative — outperforming TTO across many packaging applications.”
Is TIJ right for your line?
If you currently use TTO and want to reduce operating costs without compromising print quality, our team can run a customized feasibility study for your application.
