Date Code Keeps Shifting on Food Packaging: Is The Problem The Labeler Or Your Videojet 6330 TTO?

A snack factory recently shared a real headache: “Our production date prints perfectly at the start of the shift, but after a few hours it slowly moves left. By the end of the day, the code is off by 3–5 mm and sometimes lands on the seal area.” They thought the Videojet 6330  was failing. But after checking the line, we found the printer was doing its job—the trigger timing was unstable.

On a typical VFFS line, the Videojet 6330 prints based on a photo-eye signal and film movement. If the photo-eye lens gets dusty from flour or seasoning, the detection point changes and the print starts early or late. Another common cause is film tension drift: worn pull rollers, loose dancer arms, or inconsistent brake tension can let the film slip slightly each cycle, creating a gradual shift. Finally, speed changes during startup or operator adjustments can affect synchronization if the offset is not rechecked.

The fastest fix is simple: clean the photo-eye, confirm stable tension, run a low-speed test print, then fine-tune the print offset in the Videojet 6330settings. Once the trigger is stable, the code stays centered, waste drops, and complaints disappear.