One of the biggest advantages of a handheld inkjet printer is its flexibility. Instead of using labels or moving products through a large printing system, you can print information directly onto many different surfaces.
From cardboard boxes and plastic bottles to metal, wood, glass, fabric, and pipes, a portable handheld printer can be useful for packaging, manufacturing, warehousing, retail, and product customization.
But what exactly can you print on with a handheld inkjet printer?
Here are some of the most common applications.
1. Cardboard Boxes
Cardboard is one of the most popular materials for handheld inkjet printing.
Businesses can print directly on cartons and shipping boxes with information such as:
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Production dates
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Expiration dates
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Batch numbers
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QR codes
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Barcodes
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Product information
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Logos
A handheld inkjet printer for cardboard is especially useful in warehouses and packaging operations because printing information directly on the box can reduce the need for additional labels.
For larger cartons, the portability of a handheld printer also allows the operator to bring the printer directly to the package.
2. Paper Bags
Handheld printers can also be used for printing on paper bags.
This makes them useful for small businesses, retail stores, food packaging, gift packaging, and customized packaging.
You can print a logo, QR code, text, product information, or other designs directly onto suitable paper surfaces.
For businesses using different packaging designs in smaller quantities, this provides greater flexibility than ordering large quantities of pre-printed bags.
3. Plastic Bottles
Need to print dates, batch numbers, QR codes, or product information on plastic bottles?
A portable inkjet printer for plastic can be a convenient solution.
Depending on the plastic material and ink used, handheld inkjet printers can be used on different plastic products and packaging.
Because plastic surfaces vary significantly, choosing the correct ink for the specific material is important for good adhesion and print durability.
4. Plastic Packaging Bags
Flexible packaging is widely used for food, retail products, industrial components, and many other applications.
Handheld inkjet printers can be used to add information such as dates, batch codes, product numbers, and QR codes to suitable packaging bags.
This can be especially useful for businesses that need to change printed information frequently.
Instead of preparing new packaging for every batch, the required information can be edited and printed when needed.
5. Glass
Glass bottles, jars, cups, and containers are another possible application.
With suitable ink, businesses can print information directly onto appropriate glass surfaces.
Common content includes:
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Product information
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Dates
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Batch codes
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QR codes
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Logos
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Identification numbers
Before large-scale production, testing the ink on the actual glass product is recommended to confirm adhesion and printing results.
6. Metal
A handheld inkjet printer for metal can be useful for manufacturing, workshops, parts identification, packaging, and inventory management.
Depending on the application, you can print:
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Serial numbers
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Batch numbers
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Product codes
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QR codes
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Text
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Logos
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Production information
Since metal products can be difficult or inconvenient to move through a traditional printer, the portable design of a handheld machine can make printing easier.
Simply take the printer to the product and print where needed.
7. Wood
Wooden products and packaging can also be printed with a handheld inkjet printer.
Potential applications include wooden boxes, boards, furniture components, packaging materials, and other wood products.
Businesses can add product numbers, identification information, logos, QR codes, or other text directly to suitable wood surfaces.
Because wood surfaces can differ in texture and absorbency, actual printing results may vary depending on the material.
8. Fabric and Clothing
Handheld inkjet printers are not limited to hard surfaces.
With suitable ink and application conditions, they can also be used for certain fabric and clothing applications.
Examples include printing on:
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T-shirts
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Pants
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Canvas bags
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Socks
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Other suitable fabrics
You can print text, logos, simple graphics, QR codes, and other information.
For textile applications, it is important to consider the fabric type, ink compatibility, required durability, and whether the printed item will be washed.
A test on the actual material is recommended before production.
9. Leather
Handheld printing can also be used for certain leather applications.
Businesses may use it to add logos, text, numbers, or customized information to suitable leather surfaces.
As with fabric and plastic, different types of leather can react differently to ink. Testing the material first is the best way to determine whether the printing result meets your requirements.
10. Acrylic
Acrylic sheets and products are commonly used for displays, signs, decoration, packaging, and customized products.
With the correct ink, a handheld inkjet printer can provide a convenient way to add text, QR codes, logos, identification information, and other content to suitable acrylic surfaces.
11. Pipes and Tubes
Pipes are an excellent example of why portable printing can be useful.
Instead of moving long pipes to a fixed printing system, an operator can take the handheld printer directly to the product.
Depending on the pipe material and application, you can print information such as:
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Specifications
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Product codes
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Batch numbers
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Dates
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Company information
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QR codes
This makes handheld inkjet printers useful for certain pipe manufacturing and building-material applications.
What Information Can a Handheld Inkjet Printer Print?
The versatility is not only about materials.
A handheld inkjet printer can also handle many types of printing content.
Depending on the machine and software functions, common content includes text, numbers, dates, batch numbers, serial numbers, QR codes, barcodes, logos, and variable information.
For logo printing, the required logo file can be prepared and imported into the printer.
This allows one machine to handle different printing jobs without requiring a separate printer for every product.
12.7 mm or 25.4 mm: Which Printing Height Should You Choose?
FAITH handheld inkjet printers are available with different maximum printing heights, including 12.7 mm (0.5 inch) and 25.4 mm (1 inch) options.
12.7 mm Handheld Inkjet Printer
The 12.7 mm option is suitable for many everyday coding and marking applications, including:
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Dates
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Small text
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Batch numbers
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Serial numbers
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Barcodes
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QR codes
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Product identification
If your printing content is relatively small, 12.7 mm may be sufficient.
25.4 mm Handheld Inkjet Printer
For customers who need larger printing content, the 25.4 mm model provides a maximum printing height of approximately 1 inch.
It can be a better choice for:
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Larger text
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Larger logos
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Packaging information
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Carton printing
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More visible product identification
The right model depends on what you want to print and how large the final printed content needs to be.
Why Use a Handheld Inkjet Printer?
For many businesses, the main advantages are portability and flexibility.
A handheld inkjet printer allows you to:
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Print directly on products and packaging
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Work with many different materials
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Change printing content when needed
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Print QR codes, barcodes, dates, text, and logos
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Bring the printer to large or difficult-to-move products
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Handle both regular production and smaller customized jobs
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Reduce reliance on pre-printed labels for suitable applications
For small businesses and manufacturers handling multiple products, these features can make everyday coding and marking much easier.
Find the Right Handheld Inkjet Printer for Your Application
There is no single printing solution that is perfect for every material.
The best handheld inkjet printer depends on your printing surface, required printing height, content, ink requirements, and production environment.
FAITH offers 12.7 mm and 25.4 mm handheld inkjet printers for different coding and marking applications.
Whether you want to print on cardboard, paper bags, plastic, glass, metal, wood, fabric, leather, acrylic, pipes, or UPVC products, choosing the right combination of printer and ink is important for achieving good results.
Not sure which model is right for you?
Tell us:
1. What material do you want to print on?
2. What content do you want to print?
3. What printing height do you need?
Our team can help you choose a suitable FAITH handheld inkjet printing solution for your application.
Print what you need, where you need it — with FAITH handheld inkjet printing solutions.
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