If you walk into a traditional manufacturing plant in Malaysia, you will likely hear the loud hum and smell the strong solvent odor of a Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) printer. For decades, CIJ was the only standard for printing expiry dates and batch codes on production lines.
However, with the rapid advancement of micro-technology, Thermal Inkjet (TIJ)—the technology powering Bentsai printers—has disrupted the industry.
Many Production Managers are now asking: Should we stick with traditional CIJ, or upgrade to TIJ? To help you make the right technical and financial decision, we have broken down the core differences.
To understand which suits your operation, let’s look at the structured data:
| Feature / Metric | CIJ (Continuous Inkjet) | TIJ (Thermal Inkjet - Bentsai) |
| How it works | Pumps liquid ink continuously through tubes | Heats ink inside a sealed cartridge |
| Upfront Investment | Very High (Requires heavy capital expenditure) | Highly Accessible (A fraction of CIJ cost) |
| Maintenance Need | High (Requires daily cleaning, filter changes) | Zero Maintenance (Wipe the nozzle & go) |
| Consumables Used | Ink + Makeup Solvent (evaporates constantly) | Ink Cartridge Only (100% usage) |
| Print Quality | Lower (Dotted, pixelated text) | High Definition (Up to 600 DPI, clear logos) |
| Portability | Heavy, fixed to a specific conveyor line | Compact, portable, or easily moved |
Traditional CIJ printers use a complex system of pumps and tanks. Because the ink is exposed to the air inside the machine, it requires a secondary chemical called "Makeup" (or solvent) to keep it from drying out.
The Problem: Even when the CIJ machine is turned on but not printing, the makeup solvent continuously evaporates into the air. You are essentially paying for chemicals that vanish into the atmosphere.
The Service Trap: CIJ machines require expensive annual service contracts. When a pump breaks or a tube clogs with dried ink, your production stops until a specialized technician arrives.
Bentsai TIJ technology takes a completely different approach. The entire printhead and ink supply are contained within a single, enclosed cartridge (just like your desktop office printer).
Zero Maintenance Cost: There are no messy ink bottles to pour, no tubes to flush, and no filters to replace. If there is ever an issue with print quality, you simply swap in a new cartridge, and you essentially get a brand-new printhead.
High-Resolution Branding: While CIJ prints text that looks like a dot-matrix calculator, TIJ can print razor-sharp QR codes, barcodes, and complex company logos.
Better Working Environment: TIJ printers do not emit strong, toxic solvent fumes constantly, making your packing area safer and more comfortable for your operators.
Choose CIJ if: You run a massive, 24/7 high-speed production line (like a global Coca-Cola bottling plant) printing hundreds of thousands of items a day without stopping.
Choose TIJ (Bentsai) if: You are an SME or a highly agile manufacturer. If your production runs in shifts, or if you frequently change product lines, TIJ is the undisputed winner. The significantly lower upfront cost, combined with the complete elimination of maintenance contracts and wasted makeup solvent, guarantees a much faster Return on Investment (ROI).
Ready to transition from messy CIJ to clean, efficient TIJ printing? Contact PTS Technology Sdn Bhd, the Exclusive Distributor of Bentsai in Malaysia, to explore our full range of inline and handheld TIJ solutions.
PTS Technology ialah pilihan terbaik anda untuk perkhidmatan pembungkusan dan percetakan. Kami menawarkan pencetak pajakan, pengekodan inkjet Bentsai dan pencetak penanda inkjet, kad akses tanpa sentuh, kartrij inkjet asal, kartrij toner dan kartrij inkjet kitar semula.
Posted by PTS TECHNOLOGY SDN BHD on 27 Feb 26
Malaysia