Most searches for an egg coding machine want one that marks the shell. We do not sell that, and this page says so before it says anything else.
Most egg coding machines in the shell marking sense are continuous inkjet or laser equipment, and neither is in our range. What we do supply is the coding and labeling for everything around the egg: the carton, the tray, the case and the pallet, and the same for dairy cartons, tubs and cases. Those lines need a date, a lot and a barcode that survive a cold, damp pack.
Marapack Services is the Pacific Northwest distributor for Altech labeling systems, and we supply, install and service coding and labeling equipment for plants anywhere in the US. Want your carton and case line looked at? Book an equipment audit.
Which egg coding machine do we sell, and which do we not?
We do not sell direct eggshell marking, because most shell marking is done with continuous inkjet or laser equipment and we sell neither. We sell thermal inkjet coders, labeling heads and print and apply systems, which code and label cartons, trays, cases and pallets. Be clear which job you are buying for.
The results you will see for the phrase are shell printing systems from continuous inkjet and laser makers. If marking the shell is the job, we are not the supplier, and we would rather tell you that now. If the job is the carton or the case, that is where we work, and we make no claim about printing on a shell or on any surface we have not tested.
The comparison of the two inkjet technologies, and where we stand on each, is on our thermal inkjet vs continuous inkjet page.
What needs coding and labeling on an egg or dairy line?
An egg or dairy line needs a date and lot on the consumer carton or tub, a case label with a barcode and lot, and a pallet label. The carton or tub is a coding job, the case is a coding or print and apply job, and the pallet is a pallet labeling job.
- Carton, tray or tub: a thermal inkjet code printed directly onto the pack, or a label applied by a labeling head.
- Shipping case: a thermal inkjet code for a date and lot, or a print and apply label where the case needs a scannable barcode.
- Pallet: an SSCC label printed when the load is complete.
Cold changes everything. A chilled pack pulled into a warmer room grows condensation in seconds, and no ink dries on water. That is why many plants that code the carton directly label the case instead, because a label stock and application point can be chosen for cold and wet where a code cannot.
Which Marapack and Altech equipment fits which job?
Cartons and tubs take a thermal inkjet printer or a labeling head. Cases take a thermal inkjet coder or an ALcode print and apply head. Pallets take a pallet labeler. We supply each, with the conveyor, mounting and handling, and we service what we sell.
- Direct code on a carton or tub: a Marapack Titan thermal inkjet printer, with MPT-* ink matched to the carton surface. See coding and marking.
- A label on a carton or tub: an Altech ALstep or ALritma labeling head, covered on our label applicators page. For two labels on one pack see front and back labeling machines.
- A label on the lid or base: our top and bottom labeling machines page.
- A variable case label: an ALcode print and apply head, on our print and apply labeling systems page.
- A pallet label: the pallet labeling systems range.
- Service and parts: labeling machine repair and service.
How do you code an egg carton or dairy carton?
Match the ink to the carton surface, present the pack consistently, and test on your actual carton at line speed. Our coding page sets out the rule: porous surfaces such as uncoated paper and board take water based ink, and non porous surfaces such as coated cartons, plastics and films need solvent based ink.
We make no claim here about any specific carton or tray material. Your carton is either porous or it is not, and a print test on your own pack at your own speed and room temperature, looked at an hour later, settles it. Our water based ink, MPT-WB1-BK, and solvent based ink, MPT-SB1-BK, are our water based and solvent based blacks, and white and color solvent inks exist for dark surfaces and color coding.
Thermal inkjet prints at close range, so the pack must pass the printhead consistently; a guide rail often solves a faded code. Where a code also needs to be a graded barcode, a label is usually the safer route.
What traceability and retailer expectations apply?
Shell eggs and certain soft cheeses are on FDA's Food Traceability List, and Walmart's food traceability page asks its food suppliers for case barcodes such as GS1-128 and an SSCC-18 on the pallet. Which rules apply to you depends on your product, your buyers and your regulator, and their current text governs.
FDA's Food Traceability List names shell eggs and fresh soft or soft unripened cheese and soft ripened or semi-soft cheese, among other foods. Walmart's food traceability requirements set out the case and pallet label rules for its food suppliers. The label structure is explained in our GS1-128 and SSCC pallet label guide.
Egg cartons also carry date and plant identification that your grading program or state agency sets. We do not state those rules here, and we do not set what your code must say. We make the code print cleanly.
What do we not sell for egg and dairy plants?
We do not sell continuous inkjet or laser marking, so we do not mark eggshells. We do not sell egg graders, washers, packers, fillers, cartoners, milk or cheese packaging machinery, or any other packaging machinery. We sell labeling and coding equipment, and service it.
Searches for egg, milk, dairy and cheese packaging equipment are full of machinery makers. We are the labeling and coding supplier that works beside them. We do not sell label design software, and we do not do barcode grading work for hire.
Should you code the carton or label it?
Code the carton directly when the only variable data is a date and lot and the surface is clean and dry. Label it when the pack is cold and wet, when the barcode must scan to a stated grade, or when brand design needs a label. Plants often code the carton and label the case.
The test is the same for both: put the pack on the line at line speed and look at the result an hour later. We tell you what to test, and we tell you when the answer is a label rather than a code.
Frequently asked questions
Do you sell an egg coding machine that prints on the shell? No. Most shell marking is done with continuous inkjet or laser equipment, which we do not sell. We code and label cartons, trays, cases and pallets.
Is there an egg inkjet printer for cartons? Yes, in the sense of a thermal inkjet printer that codes a carton, tray or case. It is not a shell marking system. The ink must match the carton surface.
What ink do I need for an egg carton? It depends on whether the carton surface is porous or non porous. Water based ink suits porous board; solvent based ink suits coated and non porous surfaces. Test on your actual carton.
Can you code a milk carton or a cheese pack? We can code or label packs with thermal inkjet and labeling equipment, subject to a test on your pack. Thermal transfer overprinters are available through the Altech price list for film packs.
Do you sell dairy or egg packaging equipment? No. We do not sell fillers, cartoners, graders or other packaging machinery. We sell and service labeling and coding equipment.
Will a printed code survive the cooler? Cold and condensation are the usual causes of faded codes. Test on a chilled pack, and consider a label for the case, where adhesive can be chosen for cold.
Can you service coders we already own? We support the printers we supply. For labeling equipment, we service Altech, Label-Aire 3100 and 5100, PackLeader, CTM and Tach-It machines.
How much does an egg or dairy coding setup cost? It depends on the number of coding points, the printers, the ink supply and the conveyor work. We quote after walking the line, not from a list price.
Bring us the carton
Bring a carton, a case and a label to the line walk. We will say what to test, which ink or label suits the surface, and whether a printer, a labeling head or a different supplier is the right answer. Call 253-709-5566 or request a coding line assessment.