In industrial inkjet printing, two primary printhead technologies exist: Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) and Drop-on-Demand (DOD). Engineered Printing Solutions specializes in DOD industrial inkjet printers.
How they differ
CIJ printheads dispense a continuous stream of ink with excess being recycled back to the reservoir. DOD technology, in contrast, dispenses ink only when needed. When paired with variable drop sizes, DOD enables greyscale printing with photorealistic gradients and vivid blacks, even on porous surfaces like corrugated cardboard.
Where CIJ still wins
CIJ offers high drop velocity for longer distances and faster throughput, and nozzles resist clogging due to continuous use. However, it wastes significant ink through recirculation and requires solvent-based inks.
Why DOD wins for industrial decoration
DOD printing uses only the ink necessary and achieves effective resolutions of 1200 dpi or higher. Fast-curing UV-LED inks allow DOD systems to match CIJ throughput at lower unit costs. This technology is particularly valued in promotional product printing for its ability to produce vivid designs.