Continuous inkjet equipment: choosing is like choosing the right car. It does not happen overnight

At first glance, two cars may seem almost identical, they both get you from point A to point B and look reliable. They both fit within your general expectations. But once you start looking closer, the differences become obvious as one model may offer more comfort, better fuel efficiency, advanced technology, and stronger long-term driving performance. The other may focus on practicality deliver dependable results while respecting budget. The same is true when choosing your continuous inkjet equipment.

The question is not simply, “Which one is better?”

The real question is, “Which one is better for me?”

The same thinking process applies when selecting a continuous inkjet coding solution.

Many manufacturers face the same question every day: Should they invest in the flagship solution packed with advanced capabilities, or choose a more budget-friendly option that still performs efficiently for everyday production needs?

The answer depends entirely on how you will use your inkjet coder and your specific production environment.

Imagine a regional sales manager who spends most of the week driving across cities and highways. Reliability matters. Comfort matters. Technology matters.

This person will probably not choose the smallest entry-level city car. They need something designed for long hours on the road, changing weather conditions, and continuous use. A car they can work in and that offers small but significant benefits that eases their daily operations like Bluetooth.

But another driver may simply need a practical vehicle for short daily trips around town. In that case, paying for premium features may not make sense.

There is no right or wrong decision. It is about selecting the right tool for the job.

This is exactly how manufacturers should approach inkjet coding solutions.

Before choosing between Product A and Product B, manufacturers should ask the same type of questions they would ask when buying a car.

• What are your long-term objectives? Connectivity? Production changes implying changes in packaging type and sizes? Larger distribution outlets including international?
• What kind of production environment are you operating in?
• Is your production line running at slow, medium, or very high speed?
• Are your coding requirements simple, or do you need more advanced and complex print capabilities?
• Will the equipment operate in harsh environments with heat, cold, or condensation?
• How important is user comfort, connectivity, and interface simplicity?
• And of course, what budget makes the most sense for your operation?

These questions quickly reveal which solution is the best fit. Let’s look at the options.

Not every production line requires the most advanced system available.

For many manufacturers, 9710, and its responsive and user friendly 7-inch touch screen user-interface offers exactly what they need: dependable coding performance with efficient operation for straightforward and simple manufacturing plants at a budget-conscious price point.

It is like choosing a well-equipped mid-range vehicle. You still get reliability, comfort, and performance, but without paying for every premium option available on the market.

9710 is ideal for companies that:

Its philosophy is simple: gets the job done efficiently, minimizing downtime thanks to an Intelli’Design® concept, lessening maintenance, avoiding operator turnover training issues and according to your budget. In fact, its tagline conveys just that: “Just what you need, when you need it. No more, no less.”

Now imagine a company operating multiple high-speed production lines with complex packaging requirements and difficult environmental conditions.

In this situation, the needs change completely.

This is where 9750 stands apart.

Like a premium vehicle designed for professionals constantly on the road, 9750 is engineered for performance, endurance, and advanced usability.

It offers faster operation speeds (up to 6.6 m/s), making it ideal for demanding throughput requirements. Its larger 10-inch touchscreen improves operator comfort and simplifies navigation during long production shifts. It also supports a broader range of complex codes and specialized inks, allowing manufacturers to code on a wider variety and more difficult to code packaging.

For facilities exposed to harsher conditions such as heat, condensation, or cold environments, 9750 delivers stronger resistance and reliability.

Another major advantage is efficiency. 9750 uses less consumables than 9710 thanks to its TCO option helping reduce operational costs over time while supporting higher productivity levels. This is interesting if coding needs are high and requiring a more complex code (comparable to the number of kilometers driven over a year). In the long run and depending on use, it offers a higher-end solution in terms of coding capacity and size (up to 32 dot-codes), reduces expenses and is also a more sustainable solution.

Its tagline says it best: “The true value of innovation.”

One of the biggest misconceptions in industrial purchasing is assuming that the most expensive solution is always necessary.

In reality, the best investment is the one aligned with your operational needs and usage.

Some manufacturers need the industrial equivalent of a premium touring vehicle with advanced safety, comfort, and performance features. Others simply need a reliable and efficient solution that manages daily operations without unnecessary extras.

Both 9710 and 9750 are engineered to perform and have been extensively tested through proven processes. Reliability and coding performance is not an issue. Both models benefit from the same Intelli’Design® features making it easy to run and maintain without intervention up to 18,000 hours. In production terms, this is the equivalent of a 30-minute preventive check every 5 years[1].

The difference lies in how far you want to go, how demanding your environment is, and what level of flexibility and efficiency matters most to your business.

Just remember that a small city car may be perfect for short urban trips, easy parking, and low upfront cost. But put the same car into the life of someone who drives hundreds of kilometers every week, carries clients, faces changing weather, and values comfort over long periods, and suddenly the premium model becomes easier to justify. The same decision-making process will apply to purchasing an industrial inkjet coder.

If your needs are stable and straightforward, 9710 may be the right fit.

If your line runs faster, your coding requirements are more complex, your environment is more demanding, your operators expect greater ease of use, and your business wants stronger efficiency over time, 9750 becomes the smarter long-term choice.

We understand the challenges, but every case is different. There is no right or wrong answer.

If you wish to know more about what model is best for you, it’s time to reach out.