Industry · EPS & foam
Marking on EPS: traceability, CE marking and logos directly on the foam in line
Fish boxes, cooler boxes and EPS insulation. From QR codes and CE marking to full-color logos.
Book a print trial on your boxesTraceability, CE marking and branding on EPS, without labels
EPS is used both as packaging (fish boxes, cooler boxes and transport boxes) and as insulation in building products. In both cases, marking is needed: traceability per box, CE marking per lot or a visible brand.
With UV-curable inkjet, the information is printed directly on the foam in the line. The text is changed in the software when the lot or order changes, and full-color logos are printed when needed instead of pre-printed boxes sitting in stock.
Every material is different. That is why we always do a print trial on your own material before you decide.
Colorize printing on EPS in a production line in Iceland.
Full process color on EPS boxes in the line, with the same technology we install and support in the Nordics.
Three applications for marking on EPS
From traceability per box to CE marking of insulation, with printers mounted directly in the line.
- 01Fish boxesSpecies, catch area, date and lot per box, plus a QR code for traceability.
- 02Cooler boxes and transport boxesLogo and data in the same pass, printed on demand.
- 03EPS insulationCE marking with designation code according to EN 13163, λ value and batch, even on gray EPS with white ink.
Labels and pre-printing
- Labels that peel off cold and damp foam
- Pre-printed boxes in stock for every variant
- Waiting for reprints for a new campaign or changed text
- Manual handling when the lot changes
Directly on the foam
- Codes and text printed directly on the box in the line
- Standard boxes that get their print when needed
- New text and graphics in the software, immediately
- Data per box and lot fetched automatically
Four things that determine the result on EPS
EPS is a rewarding but special substrate. We go through these points during the print trial, so that the marking stays readable all the way from the line to the end customer.
Bead structure
EPS consists of fused beads, and the surface is not completely smooth. Text and code size are adapted to the bead structure so that text and QR codes are readable.
Material color
White EPS gives high contrast for black and color. Gray EPS is marked with white ink, or with a white background under a black code.
Moisture and cold
Cold or damp boxes affect adhesion. Mark on a dry surface, preferably before the box is filled or chilled. The cured UV ink then withstands moisture.
Placement on the box
Choose a flat surface where the code is visible in the stack and during handling, and avoid edges, handles and ribs. The long throw distance leaves room for variations in the box's shape.
What EPS manufacturers usually ask us
Can you mark gray EPS?
Yes. Gray EPS is marked with white ink, and with NoLabel ICON we can print a black code on a white background in one and the same pass for maximum contrast.
What should the CE marking on EPS insulation contain?
That is determined by your declaration of performance. Common content is the designation code according to EN 13163, the declared λ value and the batch number. The printer fetches the data per order and changes the text when the lot changes, without new stamps.
Can every fish box have its own traceability?
Yes. Species, catch area, date and lot are printed per box, together with a QR code that can link to the lot's details. Data is fetched automatically from your system.
Does the ink adhere to EPS, and does it withstand cold and moisture?
The UV ink cures directly on the surface and withstands moisture once cured. The result depends on the material and the conditions in production, which is why we always do print trials on your own material under real conditions.
For EPS
Send us a few boxes. We'll print on them.
Every material is different. We test on your own material in our lab in Mölndal (white or gray EPS, cold or at room temperature), and if needed, we do a trial installation directly on your production line.
Send an enquiry kontakt@gsinordic.se