Discover what Drop on Demand is, how it works and its applications in industrial inkjet printing for codes, variable data and packaging.
In the world of industrial inkjet printing, Drop on Demand technology represents an approach to ink management based on the controlled generation of individual ink droplets. The principle is straightforward: ink is deposited onto the surface to be printed when required by the printing process, making it possible to apply variable information, text and codes directly onto products and packaging.
This characteristic makes Drop on Demand inkjet an interesting technology for many production processes where accuracy, flexibility and digital data management are important.
What Is Drop on Demand Technology?
The term Drop on Demand, often abbreviated as DOD, refers to an inkjet technology in which ink droplets are generated and deposited onto the surface only when they are needed to create the print.
Unlike systems in which ink flow is managed continuously, the DOD principle allows individual droplets to be digitally controlled and positioned according to the content being printed.
Drop on Demand printing can therefore be used to create characters, numbers, codes and other graphic elements through precise ink deposition. It is a principle used in different digital printing and inkjet marking solutions.
How Does Drop on Demand Work?
To understand how Drop on Demand works, it is useful to focus on a few key elements: the printhead, the ink and the digital control system.
The printhead manages the generation and deposition of ink droplets onto the printing surface. An electronic control system determines which droplets need to be generated and where they should be positioned, transforming digital information into printed content.
This makes it possible, for example, to automatically change the information being printed according to the product moving through the production line. Batch numbers, dates, sequential numbering and identification codes can therefore be managed as variable data, without manually changing the print message.
Controlled droplet deposition contributes to the quality of the final print. However, actual performance depends on the technology, ink, substrate and specific conditions of each application.
What Are the Industrial Applications of Drop on Demand?
A Drop on Demand inkjet printer can be used in a wide range of industrial identification and coding applications.
Common applications include:
- batch and expiry date printing;
- production dates;
- sequential numbering;
- barcodes;
- QR Codes;
- DataMatrix codes;
- variable text and data;
- product and component identification;
- packaging marking.
Drop on Demand for packaging, for example, can be used to add variable information directly onto packages. In manufacturing environments, it can also support the identification of components and products throughout different stages of production.
Applications can be found across industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceutical, medical, cosmetics, electronics and general manufacturing, with specific requirements depending on the product and production process.
The Advantages of Drop on Demand Technology
Among the main advantages of Drop on Demand are the ability to digitally control the printing process and the flexibility to manage variable content.
Depending on the specific solution and application, the technology can offer:
- precise ink deposition;
- digital management of variable data;
- high-quality coding;
- flexibility when modifying print messages;
- the ability to print different information during production;
- adaptability to different production requirements;
- potential reductions in ink waste when applicable;
- the possibility of integrating printing into production processes.
These benefits should not be considered universal. Performance, print quality and ink consumption depend on the specific DOD inkjet solution, substrate, ink, production speed and operating conditions.
Drop on Demand and Other Inkjet Technologies
The difference between Drop on Demand and CIJ starts with their different operating principles.
Continuous Inkjet, or CIJ, generates a continuous stream of ink droplets and manages those intended for printing according to the printing process. Drop on Demand, on the other hand, generates droplets when they are required to create the printed image or code.
This does not mean that one technology is necessarily better than the other. Choosing between DOD, CIJ and other industrial inkjet printing technologies requires an assessment of the substrate and surface, the type of information to be printed, print dimensions, production line speed, print distance, environmental conditions and overall process requirements.
Fam Favata and Industrial Marking Solutions
Choosing a printing technology is not simply a matter of selecting a printer. The product, substrate, information to be printed and characteristics of the production line all need to be considered.
Fam Favata supports companies in analysing their applications and selecting the most suitable industrial marking solution. The process may include substrate evaluation, printing tests, technology selection, installation and configuration, training, technical assistance and after-sales support.
The goal is to identify a solution that matches the actual production requirements, rather than selecting a technology based solely on generic specifications.
Conclusion
Drop on Demand technology provides a flexible approach to the digital printing of variable information and can be an effective solution for specific industrial coding and identification applications.
However, selecting the right technology should always start with the application itself. The product, surface, information to be printed, production speed and operating conditions are all important factors.
Looking for the right solution for your production line? Contact Fam Favata to analyse your application and identify the marking technology that best meets your requirements.
