Republished by Scitop Ltd. All rights belong to the original publisher; see Source below.
Linx Printing Technologies is launching the IJ470, a new large-format printing machine for coding external packaging. According to the company, the device is the result of extensive customer surveys on production challenges and is aimed at labeling secondary packaging.
The IJ470 was presented as part of a preview at Interpack 2026 in Düsseldorf. According to Linx, the customer feedback gathered there flowed into the final specification of the printer before it was launched on the market.
Direct printing instead of labels
The device’s central component is the direct coding of the secondary packaging: The IJ470 prints directly onto porous or semi-porous materials such as corrugated cardboard. This allows manufacturers to do away with labels or pre-printed cartons, which according to Linx reduces material costs, saves storage space and reduces packaging waste. The company describes this approach as sustainable. Furthermore, direct coding enables greater flexibility, as packaging changes can be implemented immediately.
Mariusz Dabrowski, Business Unit Manager at Linx Printing Technologies, explained that the IJ470 was developed to solve a frequently observed problem in secondary packaging: achieving reliable high-quality coding on the outer packaging without incurring unnecessary costs, complexity, or waste.
Ink recycling and immediate print readiness
The printer features the patented Linx Refresh System, which automatically removes ink from the nozzles during the printing process, channels it through a filtering system, and returns it for reuse. This is intended to reduce the amount of total consumables required and maintain consistently high print quality. In combination with direct printing on packaging, the system is said to help manufacturers reduce material consumption and environmental impact from the production and shipping of ink, according to Dabrowski.
Unlike hot-press printers that require a warm-up period before production begins, the IJ470 is ready to print immediately after use thanks to the use of oil-based inks. The housing is made of stainless steel and anodized aluminum and is designed to protect components in demanding production environments. The automatic nozzle cleaning system Refresh is designed to prevent clogged nozzles and thus reduce the risk of downtime.
Four printers via a user interface
Lead and follow units enable the two-sided coding of cartons. Up to four printers can be connected and controlled via a single user interface, thereby increasing the available vertical printing area. The IJ470 is available with black and red inks as well as in mineral oil-based and mineral oil-free formulations. Improved mounting options for conveyor belts and base mounts are intended to provide flexible mounting options and additional stability.
To integrate with existing lines, the printer features interfaces to line control and text creation software that enable the direct filling of reports from external databases. Operators can configure and edit reports via an 8-inch user interface. As a GS1 UK-approved product, the IJ470 also features an integrated code creation tool for creating GS1-compliant 2D codes directly from the printer screen.
Source
- packaging journal (2026-11-02) - Original article: Linx launches large-format printers for secondary packaging - https://packaging-journal.de/en/linx-launches-large-format-printers-for-secondary-packaging/
