Standard Operating Procedure
Matthews Ink Jet Printer – Operation
Version: 3
Date: 15.12.2025
Description and Overview
The Matthews Ink Jet printer is used to print best before dates and Julian Codes onto product packaging and cartons.
If the Matthews printer is malfunctioning, you must immediately disconnect it from the power and notify maintenance.
Printer Start Up
To start the printer from shutdown:
Turn the power supply on at the power source.
Press the green ‘Power’ button on the Date Printer screen.
The Date Printer will automatically perform a nozzle flush and prepare for operation.
NOTE: Ensure the screw on the printer nozzle is parallel to the line, if it is on an angle the printing will be done on an angle.
Creating a product
Select the “Create” button.
A message will appear on the screen “use default message style” followed by the style of writing.
If you wish to change the style, select “No” if you are happy with the style select “Yes” and proceed to the next step.
To add text to your message, select the “text” button.
Then type in the text you want your message to have.
For example: BEST BEFORE
Once you have entered the text, tap on the screen where the text is and the “select field” menu will appear.
In this menu select “date”. Then select the format the date is required to appear in. Then press “ok”.
The date format will appear on the screen, then select “Edit Properties”.
Enter the expiry date required as directed by work order information in iLeader.
Select “Enter”. This will then change the screen to have a preview of your message.
If layout of the date is acceptable, press exit, you will then be diverted to the main screen.
Selecting a product
Once the printer has been turned on ensure the correct product has been selected.
Ensure the printer is in ‘Idle’ mode.
Select ‘Message Store’.
Select ‘Message Store’.
Select ‘List’ button, this will bring up the list of products to select from.
Tap on the product required to run.
The product Best Before date will come up on the screen, press ‘Select’.
Running the Date Printer for Production
To start running the Date Printer:
From the main screen, select ‘Start Printing’.
To stop the printer during production, select ‘Stop Jet’ button. To pause the printer during production, select ‘Pause’ button.
‘Printing’- Printer is Running.
‘Idle’ – Printer is on but not printing.
Changing the Best Before date
Press the right arrow to scroll the main menu (highlighted red on photo).
Press the ‘Update Message’ icon (highlighted green on photo).
Enter the required date according to Printer iLeader Entry, followed by pressing ‘Enter’ to save the entry and return to main screen.
Placing the Date printer in Standby Mode
To place the Date Printer into Stand By mode select ‘Stop Jet’, this will put the Date Printer into ‘Idle’ status.
Shutting down the Date Printer for end of production/ week
NOTE: It is important that the Date Printer is powered off correctly.
At the end of production/week the Date Printer needs a nozzle clean before being correctly shutdown:
Follow the maintenance procedure for cleaning the nozzle.
Place the Date Printer into ‘Idle’ by selecting ‘Stop Jet’.
In the pop-up screen ‘Are you sure you want to stop the jet?’ Select ‘Yes’
You will need to wait until the jet has stopped and screen status is ‘Idle’ before turning Date Printer off.
Press ‘Power’ button. Printer can now be turned off at main supply.
Troubleshooting
Dots on date to spread out/ font needs to be larger/smaller
Pause the line then select ‘Line Settings’.
Adjust the line speed select the fixed speed button.
In the pop-up screen change the line speed, to increase the speed to make font smaller and decrease the speed to make font larger.
Select ‘Save’.
Adjusting date to fit
Select ‘Line Speed’.
Adjust the length in the ‘Guide Set up’ button.
In the pop-up screen change the guide set up to change how long the space is between the sensor to the printhead. Enter the distance in mm.
Select ‘Save’.
Once the sensor picks up the product passing through it will wait the required length before printing starts on the printhead.