Each printing technology brings strengths to the table, but it ultimately depends on your marking needs, product requirements, and manufacturing environment. Let’s break down three differentiating factors between these two technologies: Throw distance: If you need a large throw distance to accommodate uneven or bumpy production lines, DoD is the printer for you. TIJ printers must be within a few millimeters of the surface for an accurate mark and the product must be moving in a smooth manner. However, TIJ printers with longer throw distances are now starting to come to market, which could improve TIJ’s viability for marks that need this feature. Character size: For marks that are less than ½ inch, a TIJ printer is your best bet. On the flip side, if you’re looking for technology that will support larger marks from an inch or two to several feet (with printhead stacking), you’ll want to look at a DOD printer. Resolution: If you need high resolution marks, TIJ is the way to go. The Mathews L-Series can produce quality resolution marking at 200 ft/min. Manufacturing needs: For the toughest environments, such as those with high levels of dust, dirt, and moisture, you’ll want to explore valvejet DOD like the Matthews V-Series. It can deliver high quality marks even under dusty conditions.