What Is Your Coding Challenge
Wrong technology, high ink costs or frequent downtime — get a second opinion before the next purchase or contract renewal.
Discuss Your RequirementCoding and marking is one of the most fragmented purchasing decisions in Indian manufacturing. Plants end up with the wrong technology, pay inflated running costs, or get locked into unfavourable consumable contracts — because all advice comes from vendors who benefit from the sale.
What an Independent Coding & Marking Consultant Does
An independent consultant evaluates your specific application — substrate, line speed, print content, environment, shift pattern and service coverage — and recommends the right technology across all available options, with no commission from any vendor.
The output is a technology recommendation you can trust, backed by running cost modelling and a vendor shortlist for competitive quotation.
Technologies Covered
| Technology | Best For | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|
| CIJ (Continuous Inkjet) | High-speed primary packaging, industrial environments | Ink system complexity, consumable lock-in |
| TIJ (Thermal Inkjet) | Clean environments, flexible volumes, low maintenance | Higher cost-per-print at scale |
| TTO (Thermal Transfer) | Flexible packaging, pouches, woven bags | Ribbon cost, printhead life |
| Laser | Permanent marking, glass, high-speed cartons | High capital cost, substrate dependency |
| Print & Apply | Pallet and carton labelling, variable data at dispatch | Mechanical complexity, label supply chain |
Common Coding Problems I Solve
- Technology mismatch: CIJ on flexible film where TTO should have been used; TIJ on high-speed lines where CIJ is more reliable.
- Inflated running cost: Paying 3–5x the true cost of ink and make-up due to sole-source vendor lock-in.
- Excessive downtime: Coding stoppages caused by the wrong ink grade, wrong printhead maintenance interval, or poorly configured nozzle.
- Wrong machine specification: Buying based on vendor recommendation rather than application requirements.
- No print quality standard: No documented print specification means no baseline for complaints or rejections.
What the Coding & Marking Audit Covers
A structured site visit assesses every aspect of your current coding operation:
- Current technology fit vs application requirements
- Running cost per 1,000 prints (ink, make-up, ribbon, printhead, service)
- Downtime analysis — how many stoppages per shift and root causes
- Consumable sourcing and pricing benchmark
- Print quality standard and compliance readiness
- Vendor contract review — exclusivity clauses, pricing escalation
- Technology upgrade or replacement recommendation with payback model
Typical Outcomes
- Running cost reduction of 25–50% through consumable renegotiation or technology switch
- Downtime reduction through correct maintenance intervals and ink grade
- Vendor-neutral shortlist for competitive replacement quotation
- Technology specification that prevents wrong purchase at next capital expenditure
Industries Served
FMCG, food processing, snacks, dairy, beverages, pharma, plywood, corrugated, cables, pipes, grain, seeds, automotive and general manufacturing across North India and pan-India project basis.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a coding and marking audit cost
Engagements are scoped based on number of lines, sites and required deliverables. Most single-site audits are completed within 1–2 days on site plus reporting. Contact for a scoped estimate.
Can you help during a capital expenditure decision
Yes. Technology selection advisory before purchase is the highest-value engagement. It prevents wrong technology selection and ensures competitive pricing through a vendor-neutral specification.
Do you recommend specific brands
Only when they are the right fit for the application. Recommendations are technology-first — the vendor shortlist follows the specification, not the other way around.
Can you benchmark my current ink cost
Yes. Cost-per-1,000-print benchmarking is a standard component of the audit. If your current rate is above benchmark, the audit identifies where the overrun occurs and how to correct it.