Is a desktop inkjet printer good for small businesses?

Yes. A desktop inkjet printer is a strong fit for small businesses: low purchase price, no compressed air or PC, and cartridge-only running cost. The SHICAI G12 gives consistent, scannable date and batch codes without the commitment of an inline system, which matters when volume is uneven.

As you grow, the same messages and ink carry over if you later add an inline head.

Trigger options are foot pedal, photo-eye or hand press, and messages import from USB stick or flash – no computer required to run.

The metal-body unit weighs about 2-3 kg and marks metal, plastic and cartons for static batch, date and lot coding in workshops.

A desktop coder fills the gap between a handheld and a full inline system – more stable than hand-held, cheaper than a line-integrated head.

Key points:

• The SHICAI G12 desktop coder prints at 2-12.7 mm height, 150-600 DPI, using a 42 ml fast-dry cartridge and a 7-inch touch screen.
• The SHICAI G12 desktop coder prints at 2-12.7 mm height, 150-600 DPI, using a 42 ml fast-dry cartridge and a 7-inch touch screen.
• The SHICAI G12 desktop coder prints at 2-12.7 mm height, 150-600 DPI, using a 42 ml fast-dry cartridge and a 7-inch touch screen.

Because it runs from a USB stick and a foot pedal, a workshop can deploy it without IT or a dedicated PC on the bench.

SHICAI (Shanghai Shicai Inkjet Technology Co., Ltd.) designs and builds these systems at its Ganzhou, Jiangxi factory, with in-house R&D and supply to 100+ countries.

Related: How much does a tabletop batch coder weigh and cost? · What is a desktop inkjet coder?

For a low-friction desktop batch coder, review the SHICAI G12 on the product page or ask for a bench demo.

Reviewed by the SHICAI engineering team.