What Is an Egg Printing Machine?
An egg printing machine is used to print expiry dates, batch codes, and traceability information directly onto eggs or egg cartons. In high-volume poultry production, reliable egg coding systems are essential for food safety compliance and producer accountability. Videojet egg printing solutions deliver high-quality, food-safe marking while maintaining production uptime and supporting regulatory requirements in the UAE and export markets.
- Applications
- Line Integrations
- Documents
- Overview
- Egg
- Carton
- Case
Fluid based, non-contact printing of up to five lines of text, linear and 2D bar codes, or graphics, printed on a variety of packaging types including stationary packaging via traversing systems.
Thermal Transfer Overprinting (TTO)
A digitally controlled printhead precisely melts ink from a ribbon directly onto flexible films to provide high resolution, real-time prints.
Ink-based, non-contact printing using heat and surface tension to move ink onto a package surface. Generally used to print 2D DataMatrix and other bar codes.
Ink-based, non-contact printing of multiple data types (alphanumeric, logos and bar codes) in large sizes primarily used for secondary packaging such as cases.
A beam of infrared light focused and steered with a series of carefully controlled small mirrors to create marks where the heat of the beam interacts with the packaging surface.
Label Printer Applicator (LPA)
Prints and places labels of various sizes on multiple package types.
Marketing opportunities
The safety and authenticity of eggs are persistent concerns in all regions of the world. Getting consumers to appreciate eggs as more than a commodity holds the key to greater loyalty and improved demand. Printing brand and egg information directly on the egg provides producers with an opportunity to improve brand differentiation and consumer loyalty through a clearly visible commitment to quality and safety.
Continuous Ink Jet (CIJ)
- ideal technology for in-line coding directly on eggs
- cost effective solution because it requires the fewest printers
- most efficient solution as printers are integrated with the grader for direct controlling from the console
- food-grade ink specially formulated to safely adhere to egg shells
Laser Marking Systems
- microscopically etches the surface of the egg to create a permanent imprint with no ink
- code clarity is less affected by moisture on the egg
- improved print quality over ink coding
Planning for the future
Egg carton packaging is changing as retailers try to attract consumers to more beneficial eggs. Carton design is also advancing as the simple package is being improved to provide better protection and egg coding visibility to minimize consumer interaction with the eggs. Coding solutions designed to perform well across a wide range of packaging styles and materials give the producer freedom to adapt to future changes.
Continuous Ink Jet (CIJ)
- simple and reliable way to print on paper, plastic and foam cartons and shrinkwrapped egg trays
- Videojet’s 1000 Line printers incorporate the CleanFlow™ printhead, a patented design that increases uptime by reducing ink buildup
- non-contact printer, making it a reliable solution for printing legible traceability codes
Laser Marking Systems
- delivers excellent character and logo print quality
- permanent print and virtually no mess
- can print across the top of an egg carton in multiple locations, even when the carton is stationary on the line
Thermal Ink Jet (TIJ)
- ink-based printing solution for porous carton materials like paper
- prints at a higher resolution than other ink-based systems
Thermal Transfer Overprinting (TTO)
- prints on overwrapped plastics prior to its application around a flat of eggs
- produces high quality codes using a ribbon-based printing system that also produces superior bar codes
Improve supply chain efficiency and save money
Printing lot, batch and supplier-specific information clearly on the egg case creates a traceability point visible to the retailer, wholesaler and transportation company – providing rapid identification in case of recall. Printing this information directly on the case simplifies packaging demands by standardizing to a common box style for different trading partners.
Label Printer
Applicator (LPA)
- standard way to identify product for delivery to trading partners
- automated labeling solutions can significantly reduce mislabeling and poor readability for optimum routing and tracking
- automatic application of labels on-demand to cases is faster and more consistent than hand-labeling and prevents applying the wrong label
Large Character
Marking (LCM)
- prints information directly on the case including scannable bar codes
- very cost-effective and dependable
- eliminates the cost, stocking and management of labels, as well as the need for customer-specific pre-printed cases
Thermal Ink Jet
(TIJ)
- high resolution printing directly on the case
- ideal for printing on display ready cases
- prints a variety of bar code types to comply with retailer supply chain requirements
- Grader, Cartoner and Packer
Fluid based, non-contact printing of up to five lines of text, linear and 2D bar codes, or graphics, printed on a variety of packaging types including stationary packaging via traversing systems.
Thermal Transfer Overprinting (TTO)
A digitally controlled printhead precisely melts ink from a ribbon directly onto flexible films to provide high resolution, real-time prints.
Ink-based, non-contact printing using heat and surface tension to move ink onto a package surface. Generally used to print 2D DataMatrix and other bar codes.
Ink-based, non-contact printing of multiple data types (alphanumeric, logos and bar codes) in large sizes primarily used for secondary packaging such as cases.
A beam of infrared light focused and steered with a series of carefully controlled small mirrors to create marks where the heat of the beam interacts with the packaging surface.
Label Printer Applicator (LPA)
Prints and places labels of various sizes on multiple package types.
- Brochures
- Application Notes
- Case Studies
Egg Brochure
Choose the Right Ink for Shell Eggs Application Note
Cartons with Laser Application Note
CIJ vs. Laser on Shell Eggs Application Note
Why Print on Eggs Application Note
Advanced Coding Solutions White Paper
Cartons with CIJ Application Note
Implementing CIJ on Shell Eggs Application Note
Planning CIJ for Shell Eggs Application Note
Benefits of Printing on Shell Eggs White Paper
Cocorette Case Study
Velasco Case Study
Sichuan Sundaily Case Study
FAQ
Yes. Egg printing machines using food-grade ink can print directly on eggshells without damaging the shell structure. Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) systems are commonly used in grading lines to apply clear, high-contrast codes while maintaining shell integrity and food safety compliance.
Eggs are typically printed with expiry dates, batch numbers, farm or producer identification codes, and traceability markings. In some markets, additional regulatory information may be required to comply with food safety and export standards.
Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) systems use food-safe ink to apply flexible, high-speed codes on eggs, making them ideal for variable data printing. Laser marking systems, on the other hand, create permanent marks without ink, reducing consumable use but depending on shell characteristics and production requirements.
Egg coding supports traceability, producer accountability, and compliance with food safety regulations in the UAE and export markets. Clear, durable marking helps prevent product recalls, protects brand reputation, and ensures regulatory transparency throughout the supply chain.
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Why Print on Eggs?
