EPAL Product labeling

As we already announced in our last blog, we are a licensed supplier for inkjet marking systems for marking EPAL load carriers with our EBS-2600 since July 2022. The fact that inkjet systems may be used for marking at all is still fairly new. Corresponding licenses have only been issued since August 1, 2019. Originally, due to technical circumstances and the high quality requirements, the use of branding stamps had been limited. However, the progress of inkjet technology in recent years has led to a steady increase in the quality of prints on wood and, in contrast to the past, now meets the strict EPAL guidelines – in some cases even exceeds them. In addition, the use of inkjet systems has encouraged a major advance in pallet marking in general.Compared to conventional marking with branding irons, ink-based marking systems offer great added value. Our own field tests have shown that our licensed EBS-2600 system is in many respects superior to the use of a branding iron. For almost a year now, tests have been carried out in cooperation with our subsidiary in Poland in the ongoing operations of a likewise licensed EPAL pallet manufacturer.

Ink Jet Marking System vs. Branding Stamp

It quickly became apparent that inkjet systems are many times more efficient than conventional branding irons, particularly in terms of makeready time. After all, it takes around 25 minutes for them to reach operating temperature. If the print image needs to be changed or the stamp needs to be serviced, another 45 minutes must pass before it has cooled down completely. Our EBS-2600, on the other hand, is ready for operation within just a few seconds, and other content can also be transferred directly to the device and printed without any significant loss of time. In addition, the portfolio of EPAL products has evolved steadily over the decades. Today, for example, there is no longer just the standard Euro pallet, but also other shapes and sizes. Thanks to their high level of flexibility, inkjet systems are thus becoming increasingly popular for pallet labeling.What’s more, an inkjet system can mark far more pallets in the same amount of time than conventional systems. A branding iron can mark around 1,750 – 1,800 pallets in an 8-hour shift. An inkjet system at the same location was able to increase output by 190 pallets per 8-hour shift in our field test. After a single day of 3-shift operation, this means that a total of almost 600 additional pallets can be produced. But it is not only the time factor that plays an important role here. Our tests also showed that the original power consumption of 10,000 – 12,000 watts could be reduced to 80 watts with the help of our system. This is a remarkable factor, especially considering the current energy prices.In the everyday life of a pallet manufacturer or repairer, the risk of fire should also not be underestimated. Especially the branding irons are often in the focus of risk assessment due to the hot operating temperatures. In the case of using an ink-based system, this risk could also be minimized and expensive additional insurances would therefore become obsolete.