When it comes to industrial printing on packaging, the debate between Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) and Thermal Inkjet (TIJ) systems is heating up. For years, CIJ printers like the Videojet 1580 were seen as the standard for high-speed, non-contact printing on moving products. But times have changed.
More manufacturers are switching to thermal inkjet printers like the RNJet H1, and for good reason. TIJ is leaner, cleaner, and smarter—delivering everything modern production lines demand, without the hassle of bulky hardware and messy solvents.
In this article, we’ll dive into how TIJ is overtaking CIJ in coding and marking—and why the RNJet H1 is leading the charge.
How TIJ Technology Outperforms CIJ in Real-World Printing
Feature |
CIJ (Videojet 1580) |
TIJ (RNJet H1) |
| Initial Cost for the printer | $ | $ |
| Maintenance cost yearly |
$500-1000 per printer |
0$ |
| Maintenance & operating cost | Regular cleaning and maintenance by trained technicians, resulting in production downtime. Requires make-up fluid |
No maintenance required |
| Print speed | Up to 278 m/min with single line, if you want to print 3 lines, the speed will be dramatically lower |
Up to 180 m/min (47 prints per seconds dynamic Datamatrix) |
| Resolution | Low-resolution dot matrix – 1-5 Lines | Hi-resolution – up to 300DPI |
| Throw distance | from 5 to 15 mm | 8 mm |
| Print height | 10 mm | 12.7 mm |
| Character Height | From 2mm to 10mm | From 0.3 mm to 12.7 mm |
| Foot print / Size | Have a large foot print and require more space | Minimal footprint – Requires very little space |
| Ease of use | Needs training | Minimal training required |
| Ink drying time | Fast-dry | 1-3 sec |
| Ink variety | Black | Black, Red, Blue, Pugmented yellow, Pigmented white, UV black, UV white |
| Changing the ink colors | Not possible | Easy – just change the cartridge |
| Ink capacity | The cartridge holds a combined 750ml capacity, meaning it’s not just ink but also includes the make-up fluid necessary for the printing proces |
42 ml cartridge, no make-up |
| Start-up & shut down | Requires several minutes to shutdown. Lengthy start-up process. |
10-15 sec |
| Environmental friendliness |
High power consumption – Higher VOCs Cleanup requires harsh solvents requiring ventilation for operator safety MEK-based ink |
Lower power consumption Inks are more environmentally friendly |
| Printing capabilities | WYSIWYG Message Editing, Multi-National (Unicode) character printing, real and expiration time and date, Shift and Rollover Functions, product and batch counting, barcodes |
WYSIWYG Messaging Editing, Multi-National (Unicode) character printing, real and expiration time and date, Shift and Rollover Functions, product and batch counting Barcodes QR codes High resolution graphics Dynamic database (including barcodes) |
| Operating environment |
32° – 122° F (0° – 50° C), % Relative Humidity: 10 – 90% (non condensing) | 0°C to 45°C, Relative humidity: 20% – 80% |
TIJ: The Smart Alternative for Industrial Printing
Thermal inkjet technology is built around simplicity and precision. The RNJet H1 doesn’t rely on pumps, pressure systems, or messy tubing. Instead, it uses drop-on-demand ink cartridges, meaning each print is delivered with crisp resolution and minimal waste.
Think of TIJ as the inkjet version of plug-and-play. No solvents. No printhead clogs. No start-up drama.
In a world demanding cleaner operations and faster changeovers, TIJ fits better.
Why TIJ is the Future of Industrial Coding
While CIJ printers like the Videojet 1580 served an important role in legacy production lines, the shift toward smarter, more sustainable manufacturing has made TIJ a clear winner in many sectors.
The RNJet H1 is a prime example of how thermal inkjet technology can offer:
-
Higher resolution
-
Zero maintenance
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Lower operational costs
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Safer, cleaner working conditions
If you’re ready to future-proof your coding system and eliminate the headaches of CIJ, the RNJet H1 isn’t just an alternative—it’s an upgrade.
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