Project Brief
HomeInks, Solvents & Print SpecsSelection, TCO & SizingSubstrate-to-Ink Chart

Packaging & Industrial Substrate to Inkjet Technology & Ink Lookup Chart

Match 12 common substrates—PET, HDPE, BOPP film, cold aluminum cans, amber glass, varnished cartons, Tyvek, and PVC pipe—to CIJ vs TIJ and ink chemistry.

TOOL

Focus: inkjet substrate compatibility chart

Check Compatibility

Fast Lookup: Surface Porosity, Curvature & Ink Chemistry

Use this reference matrix within coder sizing and selection and inkjet coding inks and specs to narrow down printhead technology and ink carrier before lab sample testing.

Pay special attention to surface curvature (concave >5 mm requires CIJ throw distance) and dark substrate color (requires pigmented TiO2 white/yellow CIJ).

Four-step ink chemistry selection workflow across porous, non-porous, wet, and dark surfaces
Adhesion, dry time (1–3 s), and post-coding retort or cold-chain condensation dictate dye vs pigmented MEK, ethanol, or UV inks.

12-Substrate Industrial Coding Lookup Table

Recommended coder family, ink carrier, and dry-time benchmark by material:

Substrate Material Porosity / Shape Optimal Printer Recommended Ink Chemistry Typical Dry Time
Uncoated Corrugated RSC Case Porous / Flat 70 mm Piezo or TIJ Water/oil dye or pigment < 1 second
Clay-Coated / Varnished Carton Semi-porous / Flat 600 dpi TIJ or CIJ Fast-dry solvent/hybrid TIJ 1–3 seconds
Flexible BOPP / PET Pouch Web Non-porous / Web Solvent TIJ or CIJ MEK CIJ or ketone-free TIJ 1–3 seconds
Clear PET Water / Juice Bottle Non-porous / Curved IP65 CIJ High-adhesion MEK black/blue 1–2 seconds
Wet Cold Aluminum Beverage Can Wet Metal / Concave IP65 UHS CIJ Condensation-penetrating MEK 1–2 seconds
Dark Amber / Green Glass Bottle Non-porous / Curved Pigmented CIJ Opaque yellow or white MEK 2–3 seconds
Untreated HDPE / PP Cap or Jug Low dyne / Curved CIJ (polyolefin ink) Adhesion-promoted MEK 2–3 seconds
Black PE Pipe / PVC Wire Jacket Dark Extrusion Pigmented CIJ Plasticizer-resistant white TiO2 2–3 seconds
Retort Pouch / Tinplate Can Autoclave Steam CIJ Thermochromic color-change MEK 1–2 seconds
Medical Tyvek / Sterile Paper Porous Sterile 600 dpi TIJ Medical smudge-free aqueous/ethanol < 2 seconds

Compare hardware options in industrial inkjet printers.

Technical specification matrix comparing Continuous Inkjet, Thermal Inkjet, and Large-Character Case coders
Throw distance to curved surfaces favors CIJ (8–25 mm), whereas Grade-A 600 dpi 2D carton barcodes favor TIJ (1–5 mm).

Industrial Coding Engineering Notes

  • Corona or Flame Pre-Treatment on Moulded PP: Injection-molded PP tubs coated with mold-release silicone occasionally benefit from a compact inline plasma/flame head if permanent solvent-wipe resistance is mandated.
  • Alcohol-Resistant Pharma & Cosmetics Inks: Hand-sanitizer and perfume bottling lines require alcohol-resistant resin binders so accidental filling spills never erase batch numbers.
  • Food-Contact Egg & Cheese Shell Inks: Direct food-marking lines use certified food-grade pink/blue ethanol-water dye formulations.

Qualify Your Exact Film or Bottle

Request a lab test print on your material via Project Brief.

Line speed comparison across 600 dpi TIJ, standard IP55 CIJ, pigmented CIJ, IP65 washdown CIJ, and 508 m/min UHS CIJ
Multi-line messages and high-density 2D DataMatrix codes reduce maximum linear speed—always size at your exact line count.

Explore related coding platforms in Industrial Inkjet Printers, Inks, Solvents & Print Specs, or send your substrate & belt m/min via Project Brief.

Related Specifications

Further Reference