How to optimize ink consumption?

The hidden cost of ink: How to optimize consumption and reduce TCO in industrial coding

When calculating the ROI of a packaging line, many companies focus solely on the machine's purchase price. This is a classic mistake. The true financial impact lies in the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), where ink, solvents, and maintenance play a silent but crucial role. Poorly managed consumption can double operating costs over the equipments lifespan.

What actually makes up that TCO?
🔹 Direct fluid consumption (ink and additive)
🔹 Downtime due to blockages or cleaning
🔹 Losses due to blurry or misaligned codes.

Hitachi CIJ: Engineering against evaporation. The UX and UX2 series incorporate a solvent recovery system that condenses the fluid before it evaporates and returns it to the tank, reducing consumable consumption by up to 30%. Furthermore, its automatic cleaning cycle upon power-up and power-down eliminates losses due to defective codes.

S-PRINT HD by S_Coding: High-resolution efficiency. Its Drop-on-Demand technology only dispenses ink when it physically detects the product, minimizing consumption. And by printing directly onto cardboard (GS1 codes, logos, text), it eliminates the recurring costs of labels, backing paper, and ribbons, as well as the need to stock pre-printed boxes. Optimizing ink consumption isn't about buying the cheapest consumable—that usually ends in breakdowns and voided warranties.

It';s about choosing the right technology for your substrate, speed, and production rate. At Trébol Group, we audit your line to detect those invisible financial leaks, with Hitachi or S_Coding as our technology partners.