FAQs

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Gem’s highly experienced and knowledgeable field technicians and support staff provide industry-leading technical support for its customers. If you don’t find the answer to your question below, contact our tech support team.

Can I install one of your printers at my workplace without a Gem technician?

A customer has the option to install a printer without Gem’s assistance but we only recommend this if the buyer fully understands the installation process. Most customers that are new to CIJ printing elect to use Gem’s trained technical staff for new installations as well as to provide training to staff members who will operate and conduct maintenance on the printers. Using a Gem technician ensures a worry-free installation and start-up. 

Is it easy to setup a new printer?

The level of difficulty when setting up a printer depends on the application. However, without a solid understanding of the printer’s functions and controls, the setup process can be very challenging. Gem’s experienced service technician team can assist you in maximizing the full functionality of the printer.

What maintenance requirements should I expect for a new printer?

There is both daily maintenance and routine longer-term preventive maintenance that is required to ensure a consistent worry-free operation. There are several steps involved in the routine maintenance of our printers, including the replacement of the ink system’s filters. Please contact a member of our sales or service team for more information on Gem’s Preventive Service Contract.

What level of consistency and high quality can I expect when printing codes on my products?

When a printing system is used, maintained, and operating correctly, you can expect to get consistent, high-quality code printing. The quality of code printing will vary depending on several variables including the application, the substrate, and line speed.

How fast can a printer apply codes on my products?

Maximum printing speeds vary depending on production line speed, printed character size, message length, and the substrate. Gem has specific customer applications that run at over 1600 fpm. Our sales and technical staff can provide an estimate of the expected top speed a printer can achieve, based on the details of its specific application.

What is the temperature range for operating a printer?

The operating range of the hardware is 41°F to 113°F (5°C to 45°C). Printers and printing inks may require more frequent cleaning and intervention at the extreme edges of this range.

How fast does the ink dry?

Ink drying times will vary based on the type of ink being used and the substrate. For example, an ultra violet ink will take longer since it must pass through UV light in order to dry and adhere to a product. A solvent-based ink can dry in seconds. Highly pigmented inks typically take longer to dry than a solvent-based ink.

Is there any surface that the ink won’t adhere to?

While Gem offers a wide range of ink that will adhere to many different materials, we recommend running a printing sample for unique products that may present adherence challenges.

What are the benefits and differences of each Gem printer?

Our printers offer a wide range of benefits, such as speed, reliability, and ease of use. A tempo model printer will allow you to print at higher production line speeds. An Evo model printer allows you to detach the screen and move it to a desired location. Our traditional printing equipment has a proven track record for long-term performance.

Can a Gem printer be setup to communicate with another printer?

Yes, we have multiple channels and software packages to make this possible. Contact us for more information on multiple printer synchronization.

What technology requirements should I expect when using a Gem printer?

The technology requirements will depend on the application(s) that are being used and if you will integrate it with other machinery or software.

Can I only use one ink color per printer?

Only one color ink can be applied at a time, however different colored inks can be used with one printer after the system has been flushed and the filter has been changed.

Can my printer be “over-used” or used to often?

No. In fact, with CIJ technology, the ink system is exercised when the printer is in use – this results in an improvement in the general performance of the printer. Printers that are not used frequently should be cycled to jet run and exercised once a week, at a minimum. Printers used on an extremely infrequent basis should have the ink system properly flushed between printing sessions to prevent damage that can occur by dried ink evaporation over a longer period.

What are the top 5 steps to take to keep a printer trouble free?

• When the printer is empty of solvent, replace the solvent as quickly as reasonably possible. We recommend doing this within 30 minutes or less.

• Before starting or stopping the ink jet, raise the print head flap. The flap is only designed to be in the closed position between the time that the jet starts and stops.

• Ensure that the print head is cleaned thoroughly and properly within a minimum of every 8 hours of operation. Thorough and routine cleaning sessions are vital to maximum printer performance.

• A correct and uninterrupted printer shutdown process should be performed when taking the printer out of operation. If this is within 8 hours or longer of non-use, a printer can be cycled down correctly by opening the head flap, cycling down the printer, rinsing the gutter, allowing for the shutdown to be accomplished. The printer can be powered off for dye-based inks or placed on standby mode for opaque ink types.

• Ensure that infrequently used printers are cycled on to the “ink on” or “jet run” state to allow ink systems to flow and exercise once per week for 4 hours minimum. This will allow the printer to maintain its own vital ink viscosity and maintain readiness for good performance at the next printing interval.

SALES

How can marking and coding help my business?

For the Beverage, Food, and Candy industries, marking and coding of products provides the date of manufacture and Lot Code information. This ensures customers that product is fresh, and allows traceability in the case of a recall or other issues that may arise for a specific lot.

For the Pharmaceutical, Cosmetics, and Electrical Equipment industries, – marking and coding of products allows the manufacturer to track and trace a product as well as providing information to the end-user about product specifications. Additionally, 2D barcodes and invisible UV inks can help to prevent counterfeiting.

For the Wire, Cable, and Tubing industries, marking and coding of products allows the manufacturer to brand as well as track and trace a product. It also provides information to the end-user about product specifications. It also enables a customer to differentiate between different cables and wires. Additionally, the manufacturer is able to sequentially mark their cable for distance measurements and other parameters, as well providing the end-user with a guide to measure precise distances of cable and wire.

Why is marking and coding important?  

In many industries, the marking and coding of a product for traceability and transparency is required by law. Both manufacturers and customers need to be able to trace the life of a product from manufacturing to processing, to shipment as well as delivery to the end customer. Marking and coding is also an anti-counterfeiting measure, as manufacturers can assign designated codes to products that only the manufacturer is aware of, this will ensure the authenticity of the product and help to prevent counterfeiting.

Does marking and coding help to reduce spending? 

In the case of a recall, marking and coding is crucial. Manufacturers can identify the lot of the bad product and recall only that specific lot. Additionally, manufacturers can trace their entire production/delivery/sales process with a simple barcode located on the product. In particular, Gem can help customers reduce spending with our Alphajet printers, which offer the lowest make-up usage and Total Cost of Ownership in the industry. Also, our line of ecologically-friendly inks can help customers save on emissions costs and tariffs.

How does marking and coding minimize product issues? 

In the food and beverage industry, marking and coding assures customers that the product is fresh. Without it, customers would have no way of knowing the date that a product was made and, as a result, could likely consume an expired product. Additionally, marking and coding can also help eliminate counterfeiting issues, which is particularly important in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, cable and wire, and electrical equipment industries. Marking and coding allows for the execution of product recalls, and enables manufacturers to proactively recall and replace products in these instances.

How does marking and coding improve quality control procedures?  

Manufacturers can trace their entire production/delivery/sales process utilizing marking and coding. Depending on the industry, marking and coding is used to improve overall quality control through a wide range of applications.

Can I purchase a printer for less than $1,500? 

No. The purchase price will exceed this amount. If the purchase price of a printer exceeds your budget, Gem has various leasing and financing options available to help fulfill your printer needs.

Where is GEM ink manufactured?

GEM ink is proudly made in the United States. Most ink is produced in our facility in Hanover, MA, but certain small-batched and custom colors are made in our research and development lab in Nixa, MO.

Do you manufacture your own printers?

GEM is proud to be the exclusive North American distributor of KBC-Metronic’s line of EPTI continuous inkjet printers. Our legacy equipment – which includes band and ring markers, contact printers, and chrome-plated print wheels – is manufactured in our machine shop in Hanover, MA.

Are Gem printers environmentally friendly?

Yes. Gem is the industry leader when it comes to environmentally friendly inks and solvents.

Will I need to use make-up solvents?

Yes, our printers require make-up solvents to maintain the viscosity and performance of our inks. However, our Alphajet Printers feature a state-of-the-art Solvent Recovery System which results in the lowest make-up usage in the industry.