Printing on EPAL certified wooden pallet blocks is an essential process to ensure traceability and compliance with international regulations. In today's article, from United Barcode Systems (UBS), specialists in offering labeling, coding and marking equipment, we tell you everything you need to know about EPAL certification and about our EPAL certified printing systems for direct printing on wooden pallet blocks.
What is EPAL certification and why is it important in the pallet industry?
Regulations and standards for EPAL-certified pallets
The certificado EPAL (European Pallet Association) certificate guarantees that pallets meet strict quality, safety and sustainability standards. Each pallet must include a clear and durable marking on its wooden blocks that certifies its authenticity and compliance with international regulations. This marking is key to avoiding the use of uncertified pallets that could compromise supply chain security.
EPAL standards require manufacturers to implement printing technologies capable of working with porous wood, guaranteeing perfect legibility even under extreme conditions. These requirements ensure that each pallet can be accurately identified throughout the entire logistics chain.
Ensuring quality and sustainability in the transport of goods
The use of EPAL certified pallets not only ensures the quality of the materials, but also their sustainability. These pallets are designed to be reusable, promoting waste reduction in global logistics. In addition, their manufacture under strict standards ensures that each pallet is robust and reliable, minimizing risks during transportation.
EPAL marking reinforces trust between actors in the supply chain, ensuring that goods are transported safely and in compliance with all international regulations, significantly improving logistics efficiency.
EPAL certification for printing on wooden pallets
Technical requirements for printing on EPAL pallets
For a pallet to comply with EPAL certification, it is essential that the wooden blocks include accurate and durable marking. This marking must contain key information such as the EPAL logo, manufacturer's code and other traceability data. Printing equipment must ensure that the information remains legible even in harsh industrial environments.
The technology used must be able to work with porous and irregular surfaces, providing high-resolution printing that meets international standards. This level of accuracy ensures the traceability of each pallet and its compliance with applicable regulations.
Importance of legibility and durability of the marking
The marking on wood dowels must be durable enough to withstand the extreme conditions of transportation and storage. This includes temperature changes, exposure to humidity and constant handling. Clear and durable printing ensures that codes and logos remain intact, facilitating readability and logistical control.
In addition, illegible or defective marking can result in regulatory penalties or delays in the supply chain. That's why it's crucial to have printing equipment that delivers reliable and consistent results, such as the advanced systems from UBS.
There is a complete guide to printing and marking pallets with our inkjet printers.
UBS equipment certified by EPAL
United Barcode Systems equipment stands out for integrating advanced technologies that guarantee superior performance in industrial coding and marking. One of its main qualities is the high readability and durability of the print, ensuring that the data remains clear and visible throughout the life of the product, even in adverse conditions. In addition, thanks to their direct printing technology, our equipment avoids the use of hot-stamping solutions, offering more accurate, cleaner and environmentally friendly coding.
Another key advantage is the energy efficiency they provide. Compared to hot stamping, UBS equipment consumes significantly less energy, reducing operating costs and environmental impact. This sustainable approach is reinforced by the use of mineral oil-free inks, which meet the highest environmental and safety standards. This is further enhanced by the elimination of odors during the printing process, creating a safer and healthier working environment for operators.
Our equipment is also designed to optimize production, running continuously and without interruption on production lines, which increases productivity and minimizes downtime. In addition, they require reduced maintenance, allowing companies to operate with greater confidence and reliability, without the need for constant technical interventions. These features make UBS systems the ideal choice for companies looking to combine sustainability, efficiency and quality in their coding and marking processes.
APLINK HRX GS05: Precision and Versatility in Industrial Printing
The APLINK HRX GS05 is a high-resolution inkjet printer designed specifically for precision work on porous surfaces, such as the wooden blocks of EPAL pallets. With its grayscale printing (up to 3 levels), you will take your pallet coding to the next level. This equipment uses oil-based ink and UVLED technology, ensuring clear and durable printing on a wide variety of surfaces, from secondary packaging to complex materials.
This model offers flexibility to adapt to different production line configurations. Its advanced technology allows a vertical resolution of up to 180 dpi and a horizontal resolution that reaches 1440 dpi, achieving high contrast and exceptional quality prints.
The APLINK HRX GS05 is the ideal solution for companies looking for a perfect combination of performance, precision and adaptability in their printing processes, ensuring reliable and consistent results in any industrial environment.
This equipment stands out for its versatility in the connection of peripherals, allowing the integration of encoders, beacons or other elements. In addition, it can link multiple printers and communicate with any element of the production line, providing a fully integrated and adaptable solution, with print speeds of up to 220 m/min and print rates of 30 prints per second.It can also work with messages up to 8 meters long, which expands the coding possibilities in dynamic and complex production lines.
At United Barcode Systems, we have developed the only complete and fully integrated UVLED technology solution that combines lamp, printer and ink in a single system. We are a leading innovator and manufacturer of UVLED technology, offering advanced solutions for coding and marking on any type of surface.
United Barcode Systems' UVLED Curing System offers an integral solution, fully manageable from the display of our printers, allowing to configure its parameters in a visual and intuitive way. This design facilitates simple and efficient operation, ensuring optimal results in any application.
In addition, it includes a Stand Alone, mode, which allows the UVLED lamp to be operated independently as a stand-alone system.
Two working modes stand out in this technology:
● HMI Driven Mode: synchronized with the parameters configured directly from the printer's HMI for complete and coordinated control.
● Stand-alone Mode: allows to mechanically configure the lamp activation time, ideal for specific applications where direct synchronization with the printer is not required.
EPAL has approved, together with the APLINK HRX GS05, our APLINK HRX GS10 and APLINK MRX72e for high resolution direct printing on wooden pallet blocks.
Benefits of using UBS equipment for printing on EPAL blocks
● Compliance with international regulations: UBS equipment is designed to ensure that each marking complies with EPAL standards and other international regulations, ensuring complete traceability in the supply chain.
● Reduced errors and operating costs: The accuracy of UBS printing systems minimizes marking errors, reducing costs associated with rework and regulatory penalties.
● Print quality resistant to extreme conditions: Printing made with UBS equipment is highly resistant, ensuring that markings remain legible even in demanding industrial and logistics environments.
● Odor-free printing: Our solutions eliminate odor emissions, providing a healthier and safer working environment, especially in high-volume applications.
● Replacement of fire marking: We avoid the use of obsolete technologies such as fire marking thanks to the direct printing of our equipment.
● Energy efficiency: Our equipment consumes significantly less energy than traditional solutions.
● Increased production without interruptions: Designed to maximize in-line productivity,our equipment runs continuously without generating unnecessary downtime.
●100% mineral oil-free inks: We use environmentally friendly, mineral oil-free inks.
● Low maintenance: The systems are designed to operate with minimal need for technical intervention.
UBS Technical Support and Maintenance Services
In addition, at United Barcode Systems, we offer a comprehensive technical service that ensures the continuous operation of the equipment, from initial installation to preventive maintenance. This support ensures that the systems operate at peak performance, adapting to the changing needs of the industry.
Accurate printing on wooden blocks for EPAL-certified pallets is a fundamental aspect of traceability and logistical efficiency. United Barcode Systems equipment offers advanced solutions that combine accuracy, durability and sustainability, adapting to the demands of the global industry.
Contact us today to find out how our high-resolution inkjet printers can optimize your processes and ensure compliance with international regulations.
