Domino launches high-speed thermal transfer overprinter

Domino has launched Vx350i, a new high-speed, high-performance thermal transfer overprinter, designed for easy integration into flexible packaging machinery, with improved printhead technology for faster printing without compromising production performance.

Domino’s latest generation TTO provides high-quality 300 DPI prints for text, graphics, and high-resolution 2D codes, including QR codes powered by GS1. For high-resolution printing of 2D codes that will stand the test of time without impacting production performance, the Vx350i has been developed to handle both standard and resin-based ribbons with no reduction in speed.

Resin-based ribbons, known for delivering durable, scratch-resistant codes, have historically been more difficult for printers to handle, resulting in slower speeds. However, Domino’s new Vx350i uses a unique blend of direct-drive ribbon technology, combined with printhead improvements for improved heat transfer, to achieve industry-leading speeds with resin-based ribbons. In addition, the Vx350i is designed to run with rolls of up to 55% longer than other printers in the Vx-Series range, allowing for longer print runs without interrupting production.

The Vx350i encompasses a range of different printer and interface formats, including the option for a single-box, printer-only, with the printhead and controller all integrated into a single unit. This compact product is ideal for integration into packaging machinery lines, including vertical and horizontal form fill seal equipment, as well as for food manufacturers with space-constrained packaging lines. In such situations, a single-box, printer-only configuration provides a significant competitive advantage over two-box TTO systems, often seen in the market.

Customers requiring additional connectivity options and those preferring a separate interface box will have the option to select a standard two-box system.

All Vx350i options are significantly smaller than Domino’s previous generation TTO printers, allowing for replacement of older or competitor models while reusing existing bracketry.

The Vx350i comes with a range of ribbon saving modes, helping to use up 60 percent less ribbon per print. The printer is also available with a range of harsh environment kits, including the option of IP55 rating for both protection against dust and low-pressure water jets, making it suitable for a wide variety of production environments.

‘I am very pleased to present our new Vx350i to the market in response to the growing demand for thermal transfer overprinting and high-resolution 2D codes,’ says Tony McNulty, chief product officer at Domino. ‘With the Vx350i, we are shaping the future of coding onto flexible packaging – with high-speed, durable printing as standard and a flexible, adaptable solution to suit a wide range of sectors and production environments.’

‘According to Arizton, the global thermal transfer printer market is currently valued at approximately 640 million USD and is projected to grow to more than 1billion by 2029 USD. This dramatic growth is partly driven by increasing consumer demand for single-serve snacks and on-the-go food options, combined with the global migration to 2D codes at the point of sale,’ says Sharmil Ghouse, global head of TTO and P&A at Domino. ‘These global shifts are driving demand for high-speed, high-resolution, durable coding solutions for flexible packaging – we have developed the Vx350i with this backdrop in mind.’