Why Online Printers Outperform Handheld Printers for Industrial Coding and Marking
CONTROL PRINT LIMITED | JULY 31, 2025
In today’s fast-paced manufacturing landscape, efficient and accurate product identification is more critical than ever. Whether you’re printing batch numbers, expiry dates, barcodes, or traceability codes, the right printing technology can significantly impact your productivity, cost-efficiency, and compliance.
While handheld printers may seem like an accessible, portable solution for certain scenarios, they are often no match for the speed, reliability, and integration capabilities offered by online printers such as Continuous Inkjet (CIJ), Thermal Inkjet (TIJ), High-Resolution Inkjet (DOD), and Thermal Transfer Overprinting (TTO) systems.
Let’s explore why online printers are the preferred choice for industrial environments:
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- Built for High-Speed Production Lines
Online printers are specifically designed to print directly on products or packaging as they move along a conveyor. They can operate continuously and at high speeds without compromising print quality. Handheld printers, by contrast, require manual handling, making them impractical for automated or high-volume operations.
Online Printer Advantage: Seamless integration into production lines for uninterrupted, high-speed coding.
- Superior Print Quality and Precision
Whether it’s a high-resolution barcode, a tiny lot number, or a scannable QR code, online printers deliver consistent, crisp, and high-contrast prints on a variety of substrates like plastics, metals, glass, flexible films, cartons, and more. Handheld printers, due to operator movement and alignment issues, are more prone to uneven or smudged prints.
Online Printer Advantage: High accuracy and uniformity, essential for traceability and regulatory compliance.
- Automation and Integration Capabilities
Modern online printers support automated data input, remote monitoring, and real-time variable printing from ERP or production software systems. This level of automation ensures error-free operations and saves valuable operator time. Handheld printers lack this connectivity and often rely on manual data entry.
Online Printer Advantage: Smart factory integration with minimal human intervention.
- Consistent Throughput with Minimal Human Error
In manual operations, human fatigue or inconsistency can result in errors such as missed prints, wrong data, or improper placement. Online printers eliminate these risks by printing at the same spot, with the same quality, every single time.
Online Printer Advantage: Repeatable results, round-the-clock, across long production cycles.
- Lower Operational Costs Over Time
Though handheld printers may appear more economical upfront, they can lead to higher costs over time due to misprints, slower throughput, and frequent rework. Online printers, with their durability and ability to support continuous operations, offer better ROI in the long run.
Online Printer Advantage: Scalable and cost-effective solutions for growing production demands.
- Compliance and Traceability Ready
Many industries like pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, and electronics require precise coding with time-stamped, serialized, or regulatory information. Online printers- especially CIJ, TIJ, and TTO are built to support variable data printing and meet industry-specific compliance requirements.
Online Printer Advantage: Easily handles serialization, barcoding, and traceability for regulatory needs.
Where Handheld Printers Fit In
That said, handheld printers aren’t obsolete. They are a convenient choice for:
- On-site or moveable printing
- Large or immovable objects
- Occasional or low-volume printing
However, they’re best suited for specialized tasks, not for continuous industrial environments.
Why Choose Control Print’s Online Printers?
Control Print offers a full range of CIJ, TIJ, High-Resolution, and TTO printers engineered for India’s unique industrial needs. With decades of expertise and robust after-sales support, Control Print ensures that every system delivers high performance, uptime, and cost savings. Unlike handheld printers, Control Print’s online printers offer automated, scalable, and industry-compliant solutions that optimize every stage of your production and packaging line.