In today’s food industry, packaging must do more than simply carry a product. It has to protect it, represent your brand, and meet strict global safety standards. When you are printing directly onto pizza boxes or other corrugated food packaging, the ink you use matters just as much as the packaging itself.
AstroNova’s AstroJet AJ-800 and AJ-1300 direct-to-package printers give brands and converters the confidence to print responsibly, vibrantly, and efficiently.
Why Safety is Critical for Food Packaging Applications
Pizza boxes interact closely with food, even when a barrier is present. Any ink used on the exterior must meet stringent guidelines to ensure it does not compromise consumer safety or risk noncompliance.
With increasing attention on PFAS, BPA, phthalates, and chemical migration concerns, producers are looking for solutions that help them stay ahead of regulatory changes. AstroNova designed the AstroJet Series printers to meet these needs.
Compliance You Can Rely On
Pigment-based inks for the AJ-800 and AJ-1300 meet globally recognized safety and environmental standards, including:
- RoHS3 (Directive 2011/65/EU), which restricts hazardous substances
- California Proposition 65, which protects consumers from harmful chemicals
- REACH Regulations, confirming inks are free from substances listed on the SVHC Candidate List, Authorization List (Annex XIV), and Restriction List (Annex XVII)
These inks are also manufactured without the use of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), bisphenol A (BPA), or phthalates (including DEHP, DBP, BBP, and DIBP), helping support modern food packaging requirements and sustainability goals. [AstroNova Compliance Statement]
Tested for Indirect Food Contact
For applications where a functional barrier exists, such as printing on the outside of a pizza box, our AJ-800 and AJ-1300 pigment inks have been independently tested by accredited third-party laboratories. [Indirect Food Contact Guidance]
Testing confirms:
- Inks fulfilled the general safety requirements of Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 for materials intended to come into contact with food
- Inks met the migration limits defined in Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 under specified test conditions
Test methods according to EN 1186-1:2002 and EN 1186-13 (met. B). The migration method was cell migration (non-printed side). Test performed by an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited external service provider with an accreditation number L 1004.
Food contact surface area/ food simulant volume: 1 dm²/ 4 g
| Test - simulant | Test conditions | Unit | Result | Criteria | Compliance¹ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall migration - simulant E (Tenax) | 10 d / 40 °C | mg/dm² | < 2.0 (< 2.0; < 2.0; < 2.0) | ≤ 10 | compliant |
¹ European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare of the Council of Europe (EDQM) document “Paper and board used in food contact materials and articles” (May, 2021)
This means that when used properly, these inks are suitable for indirect food contact applications, enabling you to produce packaging that is both safe and visually appealing.
Note: The above results only apply to the specific substrate and test conditions evaluated in this study.
Real-World Applications
Food brands and packaging manufacturers are using the AstroJet Series to modernize how they print on pizza boxes and corrugated packaging.
Examples include:
- Fast-turnaround or limited-edition box graphics without ordering flexo plates⚡
- Print-on-demand QR codes, promotional content, and store-specific branding 🏪
- Reducing storage of pre-printed boxes by switching to blank corrugated stock ♻️
- Small-batch custom packaging for local brands, regional chains, and co-packers 🛍️
Digital direct-to-box printing replaces slow, inflexible workflows with an on-demand model that supports modern foodservice operations.
Important Usage Guidance
While our inks meet regulatory requirements referenced in the testing, final compliance depends on the complete packaging system.
Key factors include:
- Substrate type 📄🟫🧻
- Ink coverage 🖌️🎨🖋️
- Barrier properties 🛡️🚫💧
- Nature of the packaged food 🍎🥖🥩
End users are responsible for performing their own testing and securing any required certifications for their specific packaging design.
The Bottom Line
AstroNova’s AJ-800 and AJ-1300 printers deliver high-quality, high-speed digital printing backed by safety, compliance, and reliability for food-related applications.
Choosing AstroNova means choosing a partner committed to protecting your customers, elevating your brand, and improving your packaging workflow.
Disclaimer: The information in this document is believed to be accurate as of the issue date. It may be updated as new information becomes available. Users are responsible for determining suitability for their specific application.
