Laser Coders: Advantages, Industries & Sustainability
Best-Fit Industries and Why Canadian Plants Are Switching
A laser coder marks best-before dates, lot numbers, barcodes and 2D codes by using a focused beam to change or remove a thin surface layer of the package. No ink, no solvent, no ribbon. For Canadian manufacturers running fast lines, that adds up to permanent codes, fewer stoppages and almost nothing to buy, store or throw away.
MD Packaging is the Canadian distributor for Markem-Imaje, including the SmartLase range of CO2, fiber and UV laser coders. Here’s what laser coding does well, where it fits best, and how to know when it’s time to upgrade.
The Advantages of Laser Coding
- No consumables. Lasers run without ink, makeup fluid, solvents or ribbons. You cut a recurring cost line, free up storage and stop tracking consumable inventory.
- Permanent codes. Laser marks don’t smudge, fade or wash off. That matters for products exposed to condensation, refrigeration, pasteurization or rough handling in distribution.
- Speed. Markem-Imaje fiber lasers code more than 100,000 aluminum cans per hour. The SmartLase C350 handles up to 1,400 bottles or 600 packs per minute.
- Room for longer codes. Product codes have doubled to around 30 characters, and 60 is becoming common as 2D codes spread. Laser coders print up to 60 characters at full line speed.
- Uptime. Markem-Imaje rates its laser sources at up to 100,000 hours MTBF and 99.9% uptime, with no plant air required.
- Built for washdown and dust. Stainless steel construction, IP55 as standard and IP65/IP66 as options. Electronics sit in sealed compartments, so rigorous cleaning doesn’t trigger random faults.
- Stable in hot plants. SmartLase coders run at ambient temperatures from 5°C to 45°C and duty cycles up to 80%. Many conventional lasers top out at 40°C and 60%.
- Less maintenance. No printheads to clog, no nozzles to clean, no startup or shutdown sequences.
Which Laser for Which Package
CO2 (30–100 W) LASERS
Best Sustrates:Â
PET, paper labels, paperboard, film, glass, some plastics
Typical Uses:
Bottles cartons, labels, cases
FIBER (UP TO 100 w)
Best Substrates:
Aluminum cans, metallized packaging, film, plastic labels
Typical Uses:Â
Beverage cans, metal components
UVÂ
Best Sustrates:Â
HDPE, PP and PE containers and caps, mono-material and laminated flexible packaging, pouches
Typical Uses:
Caps, pharma bottles, heat-sensitive or premium packaging
Laser coding and your sustainability goals
If your plant already reports on packaging waste, emissions or energy, switching to laser coding is one of the simplest wins to add. A laser removes an entire waste stream from the line: no ink cartridges, solvent bottles, makeup fluid or ribbon cores to buy, ship, store or dispose of, and no solvent-based VOCs on the plant floor. The code is etched into the package itself, so there’s no added label or material, which supports recyclable and mono-material packaging strategies. Fewer misprints and stoppages also mean less scrapped product. Italian winery Gruppo Mezzacorona chose Markem-Imaje lasers for exactly this reason: no inks or solvents, with no trade-off in code quality. And your current coder doesn’t have to end up in a landfill. MD Packaging’s buy-back program takes back older coders when you upgrade, so the switch is cleaner and costs less. Maybe it’s time to level up.
Industries that get the most from laser coders
- Beverage: water, beer, wine, spirits, juice and soft drinks on PET, glass and cans, often at the highest line speeds in the plant.
- Food: cartons, trays and flexible packaging where lot codes support traceability under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations, and long bilingual best-before formats need room.
- Pharmaceutical and health products: high-resolution 2D DataMatrix and serialization codes on HDPE bottles and cartons.
- Cosmetics and personal care: crisp, discreet marks that don’t compromise premium packaging.
- Cannabis: lot numbers and packaging dates on containers and labels, at consistent quality.
- Industrial and automotive: permanent part marking on metal with fiber lasers.
See the full laser lineup
Compare CO2, fiber and UV models, uptime figures and CoLOS software integration in the Markem-Imaje Beverage Laser Printing brochure (PDF). Or browse every coder MD Packaging carries on our labeling & marking page.
Talk to a Canadian laser coding specialist
MD Packaging supplies Markem-Imaje coders, parts, consumables and service across Canada. New coder purchases include one day of on-site commissioning. Tell us about your line, your substrates and your current coder, and we’ll recommend the right laser and give you a trade-in value.
FAQ
What is a laser coder?
A laser coder is an industrial marking system that uses a focused beam to print dates, lot numbers, barcodes and 2D codes directly onto packaging, without ink or solvents.
Is laser coding better than inkjet?
For high-speed lines on compatible materials, lasers usually cost less to run and need less maintenance because there are no consumables. Inkjet (CIJ) can still be the better fit for some dark, uneven or non-reactive surfaces. A substrate test confirms which works for your package.
What materials can a laser coder mark?
CO2 lasers mark PET, glass, paper, paperboard and film. Fiber lasers mark aluminum cans and metallized packaging. UV lasers mark HDPE, PP, PE and flexible packaging with minimal heat.
Do laser coders use consumables?
No ink, solvent or ribbon. Routine upkeep is limited to items like filters and, where needed, the fume extraction unit.
How does MD Packaging’s coder buy-back program work?
- Tell us what you’re currently running
Share the make, model, and application requirements of your existing coder. - Receive your quote
We’ll provide pricing for your new coder, with the applicable trade-in credit already applied. - Enjoy complimentary commissioning
Receive one full day of commissioning with a Markem-Imaje-trained MD Packaging technician.
- Tell us what you’re currently running
Who distributes Markem-Imaje laser coders in Canada?
MD Packaging is a Canadian distributor of Markem-Imaje coding and marking equipment, parts, consumables and service.
A Note for Canadian Manufacturers
MD Packaging is an authorized Markem-Imaje distributor for coders, parts and technical service across Canada. Right now, we’re buying back coding equipment from any brand when you purchase a new Markem-Imaje coder, and every new coder includes one day of on-site commissioning. This is a limited-time offer. Tell us about your line and your current coder, and we’ll recommend the right laser and give you a trade-in value.
Our team is here to guide you. From integration to service, parts and consumables – we make sure your solution performs at every level!
