Coding Machine for PET Bottles India | CIJ & Laser Printing Solutions
Non-contact expiry date, batch code, and MRP printing on PET bottles — at any production line speed
PET bottle manufacturers across India are required to print expiry dates, MFD dates, batch codes, and MRP on every bottle — mandated by FSSAI for food and beverage and the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 for FMCG products. Videojet offers two primary technologies for non-contact printing on PET bottles: Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) for high-speed line coding and CO2 laser marking for permanent, frosted-effect codes — with purpose-formulated inks for every PET bottle substrate, line speed, and compliance requirement.
There are two primary technologies for coding on PET packaging: continuous inkjet printing and CO2 laser marking. Videojet offers a number of unique CIJ ink formulations that provide quality inkjet codes on PET, and laser systems for making high resolution, permanent marks. The use of special printheads on inkjet printers and beam turning units on laser systems help ensure the printers can fit into space constrained locations and apply codes in the same location on every product.
What information is printed on PET bottles in India?
- Expiry date and best-before date — mandatory under FSSAI for food and beverage PET bottles
- Manufacturing date (MFD) — required under Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011
- Batch number and lot code — for supply chain traceability and targeted product recalls
- MRP (Maximum Retail Price) — mandatory on all packaged consumer goods under Legal Metrology Act
- Barcodes and QR codes — EAN-13 for retail scanning; GS1-compliant codes for FMCG and pharma supply chains
- Brand logo and promotional graphics — for branded PET bottles using high-resolution CIJ or laser marking
Laser marking on PET
CO2 laser marking on PET bottles produces a distinctive frosted-effect code — permanent, tamper-proof, and impossible to smudge or wipe. No ink or ribbon required. Laser marking is the preferred choice for Indian beverage, water, and FMCG manufacturers who need permanent batch codes and expiry dates with zero consumable cost. Videojet laser experts help evaluate your specific PET substrate thickness and line speed to recommend the right laser power and configuration. To make this match, Videojet laser experts help evaluate substrates, provide marked samples, and make recommendations to meet code and speed requirements. Videojet application expertise in printing on PET bottles spans many years and includes deep knowledge of trends such as lightweighting.
Laser marking systems
Videojet 3350
Continuous inkjet on PET
Videojet continuous inkjet printers (CIJ) provide accurate, non-contact printing, even on the irregular shapes of PET bottles and containers. Videojet CIJ inks for PET bottles include fast-dry formulations for high-speed beverage lines, food-safe inks for compliance with FSSAI food contact regulations, condensation-penetrating inks for chilled dairy and water bottle coding, high-contrast pigment inks for dark or coloured PET, and removable inks for returnable or reusable bottle applications. Every ink is purpose-formulated for the Videojet CIJ range and validated for print quality on PET. Built-in Videojet Code Assurance solutions are engineered to simplify processes and help get the right code in the right place, on the right product, time after time.
Continuous inkjet (CIJ)
Videojet 1880 +
Continuous inkjet (CIJ)
Videojet 1880 UHS
PET bottle coding solutions for key industries in India
| Industry | What gets printed | Recommended technology |
|---|---|---|
| Packaged Drinking Water | MFD, expiry date, batch code, MRP, ISI mark, BIS code | CIJ — fast-dry inks for high-speed water bottle lines |
| Beverages (CSD, Juice, Energy Drinks) | Batch code, MFD, expiry date, barcodes, brand logo | CIJ — food-safe or condensation inks depending on bottle type |
| Dairy (Milk, Curd, Buttermilk) | MFD, best-before date, batch code, MRP | CIJ — condensation-penetrating inks for chilled dairy lines |
| Pharmaceuticals & Nutraceuticals | Batch number, MFG date, expiry, MRP, barcode, serial no. | CIJ / Laser — CDSCO-compliant date and batch coding |
| Personal Care & FMCG (Shampoo, Oil) | Batch code, MFD, expiry date, MRP | CIJ — fast-dry or pigment inks for HDPE and PET FMCG lines |
| Edible Oil | Batch number, MFD, best-before date, FSSAI licence no. | CIJ — food-safe inks; high-speed PET/HDPE bottle lines |
Applications
FAQ
Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) printers are the most widely used coding machines for PET bottles in India — delivering non-contact, high-speed printing of expiry dates, batch codes, MRP, and barcodes on curved bottle surfaces at production line speed. For permanent, tamper-proof coding without ink, CO2 laser markers are the preferred alternative.
Yes. Under FSSAI regulations, expiry date or best-before date printing is mandatory on all packaged food and beverage products sold in India. For non-food PET bottles, MFD date and MRP printing are mandatory under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011.
CIJ (Continuous Inkjet) uses ink to print on PET bottles — ideal for high-speed lines, curved surfaces, and colour ink variations. CO2 laser marking etches a permanent frosted code directly onto the PET surface — with no ink or consumable cost. CIJ is preferred for high-speed primary packaging; laser is preferred where code permanence and consumable-free operation are priorities.
Yes. Videojet offers condensation-penetrating CIJ ink formulations specifically designed for printing on chilled, wet, or condensation-covered PET bottles — used on dairy, cold beverage, and water bottle lines where bottles exit cold-fill or refrigeration zones.
