Why Thailand’s Rubber Glove Industry Chooses TIJ Printing with SIGMA Ink for LOT and Expiry Coding on Packaging

Why Thailand’s Rubber Glove Industry Chooses TIJ Printing with SIGMA Ink for LOT and Expiry Coding on Packaging

Thailand’s rubber glove industry continues to expand rapidly across global markets, serving the medical, food processing, industrial safety, and general PPE sectors. As international demand grows, manufacturers are required to meet stricter packaging standards—especially regarding traceability, product identification, and consumer safety.

Printing information such as LOT numbers, manufacturing dates (MFG), and expiration dates (EXP) on glove packaging must be clear, durable, and compliant with global regulations. This shift has accelerated the adoption of Thermal Inkjet Printers (TIJ) in production lines across Thailand.

Evolution of Printing Technologies in the Rubber Glove Industry

1. Traditional Systems: Hot Stamp / Ink Roller

In the past, many glove factories used manual or semi-automatic systems such as hot stamping and ink roller printers. These systems had several limitations:

• Low print resolution

• Difficult plate/block changes

• Ink smudging and inconsistent print quality

• Not suitable for high-speed production lines

• Unable to print barcodes or variable data

• Heat from the machines could damage thin film packaging

As global buyers began demanding higher clarity and traceability, factories needed a more advanced printing solution.

2. Modern Adoption: Thermal Inkjet Printer (TIJ)

Today, TIJ printers have become one of the most widely adopted coding technologies in Thailand’s glove manufacturing sector. Key reasons include:

• High resolution up to 600 DPI

• Clean, sharp printing on all plastic films

• Instant message changes via touchscreen

• Minimal maintenance

• Compact size and easy integration

• Low printing cost

• Compatible with various ink types for non-porous substrates

Among all TIJ inks available, one name stands out for glove packaging:SIGMA Solvent-Based Ink from KAO Collins, USA

Why SIGMA Ink (Kao Collins, USA) Is the Preferred Choice for Glove Packaging

SIGMA ink is engineered specifically for high-speed, non-porous packaging materials—making it ideal for the plastics used in glove manufacturing such as PE, PP, CPE, LDPE, OPP, and laminated films.

1. Excellent Adhesion on All Film Surfaces

SIGMA ink bonds exceptionally well to:

• Polyethylene (PE)

• Polypropylene (PP)

• Cast Polyethylene (CPE)

• Laminated films

• Easy-peel medical film

This ensures that LOT and EXP codes remain readable from the factory to international distribution.

2. Ultra-Fast Drying for High-Speed Lines

Glove production lines operate at very high speed. Slow-drying ink can cause:

• Smudging

• Blurred characters

• Transfer onto adjacent film layers

SIGMA ink dries within milliseconds, ensuring clean, smudge-free results even during fast packaging cycles.

3. High Durability and Smudge Resistance

After printing, the packaging often goes through:

• Heat sealing

• Folding and transport

• High humidity conditions

• Long-distance export logistics

SIGMA ink maintains high durability, ensuring that printed data does not fade or rub off throughout the product’s lifecycle.

4. Backed by Global Standards – Kao Collins, USA

Kao Collins is a world leader in TIJ ink development, supplying inks to:

• Medical and pharmaceutical industries

• Food packaging manufacturers

• Industrial safety product producers

Its global reputation adds credibility to glove manufacturers seeking international certifications and export approval.

5. High Print Contrast and Clarity

SIGMA provides excellent contrast, making it suitable for:

• LOT numbers

• EXP / MFG dates

• 1D / 2D barcodes

• Data Matrix codes

• Serial numbering

This is especially critical for traceability audits and global compliance requirements.

Conclusion: TIJ + SIGMA Is the Ideal Printing Solution for Modern Glove Packaging

As Thailand’s rubber glove industry moves toward higher standards in quality assurance, traceability, and export compliance, printing technology must evolve accordingly.

TIJ printers offer:

• High-resolution printing

• Easy operation

• Flexible data handling

• Compatibility with modern packaging materials

SIGMA ink offers:

• Superior adhesion on all glove packaging films

• Fast-drying performance

• Long-lasting durability

• Internationally recognized quality

Together, TIJ printers and SIGMA ink provide a reliable, high-performance solution that meets the demands of today’s glove manufacturers—making them the preferred choice across Thailand.