Labeling solutions for the food industry and dietary supplements

Mobile direct printing for best-before dates, batch numbers, and packaging labels—precise and without labels.

In food production, legibility and durable information printing are important. With REINER® direct printing, you can label products, packaging, and containers flexibly—without labels, directly on the product. Our mobile inkjet printing systems print best-before dates, batch numbers, barcodes, or logos directly onto cardboard, foil, glass, or plastic.

Spaghetti packaging with directly printed best-before date and batch code

Hurdles for food packaging

Why standard solutions are often not enough

Coffee packaging with date marking

In the food industry, labeling is relevant to safety and strictly regulated by law. It must be permanently legible, hygienic and reliable - even with changing packaging types.

Typical requirements

  • Legally compliant labeling with mandatory information

  • Printing of variable data such as BBD, batch and production date

  • High legibility and contrast on packaging and labels

  • Barcode and QR code printing for retail and traceability

  • Reliable marking with high cycle times in production and packaging

Typical challenges

  • Moisture, cold or condensation in production and the cold chain

  • Smooth or flexible packaging materials such as films and bags

  • Strict hygiene requirements and sensitive production environment

  • High costs and risks in the event of incorrect labeling (recall, rejects)

Examples of imprints in food labeling

Use cases from practice

Why direct printing instead of labels?

Technology Advantages

Labels are often the weak point in food production: they come off due to moisture or temperature fluctuations, create waste, and slow down the process. Space is also often limited, and the label is too large, does not adhere well, and detracts from the design. With REINER® TIJ printing systems, you can mark directly on the packaging—robustly and sustainably.

label problem

Our direct printing solution with REINER

Labels do not adhere well in damp or cold conditions.

Smudge-proof direct printing

Labels create waste

No label, little waste – 100% clean

Re-gluing takes time

Printing at the touch of a button in less than 1 second

Inflexible when changing products

Variable data & logos via software

Practical example

Applications, experiences, and tips

A family-run beekeeping business from Baden-Württemberg produces different types of honey in seasonal harvests. The beekeeping company then decided to use the jetStamp® 1025 sense.

Result:

  • No additional label consumption
  • Uniform appearance
  • Fast adjustment for new filling data
  • Less organizational effort
  • Clean and permanent labeling
Jam jar with best-before date printed on it

Labeling in practice

Applications, experiences, and tips

Special technical features of food packaging

Labeling that adapts to your material

Typical materials:

  • cardboard box

  • Plastic bags and tubular packaging

  • glass

  • Metal cans

  • Egg cartons and eggs

Important factors:

  • Wipe resistance and resistance to moisture

  • Barcode and QR code quality for scanning processes

  • Hygienic and safe use in the production environment
  • Variable data such as BBD, batch and production time

  • Reliability with flexible or curved packaging

  • Conformity with legal requirements and documentation obligations

Have the application checked

Suitable devices

Our solution

Our mobile marking devices enable precise direct printing on almost all types of packaging—from films and cartons to cans and jars. Perfect for food manufacturers and bottlers.

jetStamp® 990

Flexible labeling for food packaging

The jetStamp 990 enables fast marking of food packaging directly in the production or packaging process. Best-before dates, batch numbers or production information can be neatly applied to cartons, plastic packaging or glass containers.

✓ Print height up to 12.5 mm (2 lines of 20 characters each)
✓ Automatic date function for MHD
✓ Suitable for cardboard, plastic and glass
✓ Mobile and flexible use in the production environment

REINER jetStamp 1025 labeling device

jetStamp® 1025

Clearly legible labeling for food products

With the jetStamp 1025, food packaging can be marked clearly and visibly. Thanks to the greater print height, best-before dates, batches, barcodes or additional product information can be clearly applied to cartons, packaging or containers.

✓ Print height up to 25 mm
✓ Print BBD, batch and product data
✓ Ideal for larger packaging and labeling
✓ Mobile or stationary use in the production process

jetStamp® 1025 sense

Scan and directly label production data

The jetStamp 1025 sense combines barcode scanners and direct printing for efficient marking processes in food production. Codes or production data can be scanned and then applied directly to packaging as a label. This supports clear traceability along the production and supply chain.

✓ Integrated scanner for codes and data
✓ Print height up to 25 mm
✓ Labeling of best before date, batches and codes
✓ Ideal for production, packaging and logistics

Discover suitable applications

Discover more

Companies in the food industry rely on REINER® direct printing for their products. Clean prints, fast integration and international standard security ensure process stability.

Discover suitable materials

Discover more

Different materials are suitable depending on the surface and the ink used.

Frequently asked questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How can food companies label packaging flexibly?

With mobile direct printing, cartons, folding boxes, bags or outer packaging can be printed directly - without labels or stationary printing systems.

This is particularly suitable for:

  • small batches
  • Changing layouts
  • seasonal products
  • Short-term production adjustments

Is it allowed to print directly on food?

Printing is usually done on packaging or outer packaging.
An exception is the marking of eggs with suitable, approved ink.

For all other applications, we check individually which solution is legally and technically suitable.

Can the best-before date (BBD) and batch number be printed automatically?

Yes, variable data such as:

  • MHD
  • Production date
  • Batch number
  • time
  • internal codes

can be generated automatically and integrated into the impression.

This increases traceability and process reliability.

Is the print suitable for humid or cooled environments?

The resistance depends on the packaging material, surface and ink used.

For chilled, slightly damp or coated packaging, we test the appropriate ink solution individually.

Is direct printing more sustainable than labeling?

Direct printing can be more sustainable as no additional label material, backing paper or adhesive is used.

Whether this brings ecological advantages in your case depends on the packaging, material and production process.

Is the solution suitable for small manufacturers or direct marketers?

Yes, mobile direct printing is a flexible and economical solution, especially for smaller food businesses without a large production line.

Can I also print on uneven surfaces?

Yes, the special inks are sprayed on. Therefore, small indentations, elevations, rough surfaces (tin cans, plastic embossing on the bottom, etc.) are no problem.

How can food companies label packaging flexibly?

With mobile direct printing, cartons, folding boxes, bags or outer packaging can be printed directly - without labels or stationary printing systems.

This is particularly suitable for:

  • small batches
  • Changing layouts
  • seasonal products
  • Short-term production adjustments

Is it allowed to print directly on food?

Printing is usually done on packaging or outer packaging.
An exception is the marking of eggs with suitable, approved ink.

For all other applications, we check individually which solution is legally and technically suitable.

Can the best-before date (BBD) and batch number be printed automatically?

Yes, variable data such as:

  • MHD
  • Production date
  • Batch number
  • time
  • internal codes

can be generated automatically and integrated into the impression.

This increases traceability and process reliability.

Is the print suitable for humid or cooled environments?

The resistance depends on the packaging material, surface and ink used.

For chilled, slightly damp or coated packaging, we test the appropriate ink solution individually.

Is direct printing more sustainable than labeling?

Direct printing can be more sustainable as no additional label material, backing paper or adhesive is used.

Whether this brings ecological advantages in your case depends on the packaging, material and production process.

Is the solution suitable for small manufacturers or direct marketers?

Yes, mobile direct printing is a flexible and economical solution, especially for smaller food businesses without a large production line.

Can I also print on uneven surfaces?

Yes, the special inks are sprayed on. Therefore, small indentations, elevations, rough surfaces (tin cans, plastic embossing on the bottom, etc.) are no problem.

About the food industry

Food industry

Product data sheet food industry

Download product data sheet