Printing on coffee: printer for printing on coffee and its operating principle

Why do you need printing on coffee?

Coffee printers are starting to be used in establishments. It replaces stencils. Previously, they were used to apply images to foam, but they are already outdated.

Many baristas can draw a line, an outline of an animal, or leave an inscription. But not everyone is able to make a complex image. A special device helps to apply the following to the coffee foam:

drawing;
greeting inscription;
logo;
own image.

The range of food printers is constantly expanding. Confectionery ink is used to work with them. They are completely safe for the body.

Other coffee printer models

The technology of printing on coffee foam has not yet received sufficient distribution in Russia and the CIS. Therefore, a significant share of devices on the market for such equipment was imported from small suppliers from China. Among the large Russian importers, ACPM can be distinguished. Devices from this supplier have a low cost of consumables (less than two rubles for one glass of coffee).

Colored designs are formed on the surface using edible ink. Applying one color pattern takes 30-40 seconds. In addition to coffee foam, milkshakes, foam from other coffee drinks and beer can be used as a base material. The equipment is connected via a USB port; software for processing and sending drawings is included in the package.

Important information! In Chinese online stores you can also order printing devices that simultaneously print designs on several cups of coffee. Such equipment is usually assembled on the basis of guides from a 3D printer, and is used to create 2-8 images at a time.

Printing on coffee and coffee foam

Images on coffee drinks are considered art. The most talented baristas receive applause and good box office receipts. Any coffee shop has the opportunity to purchase a coffee printer. It will print the desired image on the drink.

For the last few years, such equipment has been available for public sale. At first, employees of cafes and bars greeted the new product with caution. However, the visitors were delighted. Today, coffee printers are purchased by both expensive coffee shops and budget establishments.

Initially, single-color pictures were available, but now you can easily print an image of several colors.

What do you need to know about the operation of such a device?

Printing is carried out on light surfaces, preferably even white ones. Otherwise the image will not be noticeable. Ideal for milk foam and ice cream.
It is necessary to have a sufficient amount of consumables in stock, namely: coffee extract or food coloring.
Need an image layout. The coffee printer contains a database of images, but they are not enough to create something exclusive. You should prepare the desired drawings and photographs.

Ripple Maker 3D printer: printing on coffee foam

The benefit of some technological innovations that weave into our lives from time to time is simply that they help us and our friends to cheer up. One of these original opportunities was offered by the company Stream CC, which created the Ripple Maker 3D printer, which allows you to transfer short fragments of text, drawings or photos from a smartphone to the surface of coffee foam in a matter of seconds.

Only a few master the art of creating intricate patterns on the surface of coffee foam. In addition, the complexity of the applied images is greatly limited, both by the application technology and by the capabilities of even the most talented barista. This was the case quite recently. With the advent of Ripple Maker, which uses patented 3D technology for printing on coffee foam, these problems are a thing of the past.

The creators of Ripple Maker proposed adding fresh notes to the ritual of drinking your favorite drink and printing small text fragments, funny pictures, selfies and other photographs up to 180 mm x 95 mm in size directly onto the foam with pre-prepared coffee. The machine itself is quite compact - the Ripple dimensions are only 210 x 270 x 495 (w x d x h) mm.

Access to the library with images divided into thematic subgroups is carried out via Wi-Fi. The new product is equipped with an impressively sized touch display, allowing the user to comfortably set image parameters by selecting them from the available content library or downloading them from their smartphone. To capture the most complex three-dimensional image in a layer of foam, creating a small work of art, Ripple Maker will take no more than 10 seconds.

The idea of filling a cup of coffee with new content, at first glance, looks somewhat strange. But only for the first one. A coffee cup with a memorable text or branding is an excellent and completely new advertising tool. The idea may be very interesting for its commercial implications, since it opens up fundamentally new opportunities for advertising an establishment, company, product or event. It is not surprising that Lufthansa became one of the first partners of Stream CC. And if on board an airliner in the very near future you are presented with a personalized cup of coffee with gratitude for choosing the company, you should know that this is the work of Ripple Maker.

To access the intellectual capabilities of the product, Stream CC has developed a special application for iOS called Barista, which can be operated on the large touch screen of the coffee machine or remotely controlled from your smartphone. The application allows you to select from a library of texts and images, divided into thematic sections, carry out simple image editing operations, change its size, and create your own collections. Access to a database of public points where you can apply an image is supported. An app for Android smartphones is in development and is expected to launch next month.

After some thought, Stream CC decided not to limit itself to selling Ripple Maker and settled on the option of package support for the proprietary Barista application. The cost of an annual subscription that gives the right to use the Barista application is $75, which is practically negligible for any operating company, cafeteria or restaurant.

It is worth recognizing that today the company is positioning Ripple Maker as a commercial product aimed at business and the mass consumer. In addition to the coffee machine itself and the content, the creators of Stream CC also offer to buy the Ripple Pods coffee mixture, which, according to them, guarantees not only the excellent taste and aroma of a latte or cappuccino, but also the best picture quality.

As the developers assure, with Ripple Maker, sending any image to a coffee foam is no more difficult than posting a photo on a social network, which, however, is reflected in the cost of the device. Already in the basic configuration (without the cost of the service pack) it is $999.

How is printing done? How the coffee printer works

The operation of this device is very similar to the operation of an ordinary printer. You need to install a special program on your gadget (tablet or mobile phone), through which you can download various images and send them to the coffee printer for printing. The software has its own database of plots. They have several thematic sections:

Love;
trips;
neutral.

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In a number of programs you can edit the image, add some inscription, heart and other decorative elements.

For some devices, the software is included in the basic package, but for others it must be installed separately, for an additional fee.

There is a certain sequence of actions that allows you to properly prepare a coffee drink:

Coffee is made according to a standard recipe. The presence of milk foam is mandatory. Without it, drawing will not be possible.
The desired image is selected in the device, or it is additionally downloaded.
A glass or cup with a drink is installed in the coffee printer holder.
The image selection is confirmed, after which the “print” button is pressed.

The coffee printer works quite simply; its operation can be compared with inkjet printing from a conventional printer. Through the Wi-Fi network, the specified image enters the device and through it is reprinted onto the surface of the drink. Coffee extract or food coloring comes out of small holes. An image is applied with this composition.

The principle of printing or how a coffee printer works

First of all, we need to talk about the device software. This is an important point. On some models the software is included, on others you need to install it separately. The same principle applies to the image database. Almost every model has a set of pictures in its built-in memory. But if necessary, you can upload your own sketches that meet your needs.

The process of creating a picture takes place in several simple steps:

Brew any coffee with milk foam. You will need a cappuccino recipe and how to make a Frappuccino.
Through the printer control interface, select the desired image. Please use the instructions for your model.
Place the glass with the drink in the starting position (see cappuccino cups).
Start the printing process by clicking on the appropriate button.

This process can be seen clearly.

Coffee stamp from Ripple Maker

The European brand operates on the basis of an application connected to Wi-Fi. It has a convenient and understandable design that allows you to select, reproduce images, and also send them to a coffee printer. A tablet is attached to the device, on which images are also selected and sent.

The application allows you to add your own images. The visitor can choose from the options offered or take a selfie, a regular photo, or text on the phone.

The guest sends data to the module, and the barista confirms his order. A cup is placed on a height-adjustable platform. On the touch screen, users can specify the desired parameters, select pictures from those presented, and upload their own images from the phone.

The design on the drink will appear in just 10 seconds. The device costs about $1000. An annual subscription to the Barista database can be purchased for $75. Not all establishments have access to such a purchase, especially considering that they will have to purchase additional consumables. There are service centers that rent out devices. The price is about 6,000 rubles per month.

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The Evebot Fantasia compact coffee printer has a touch panel and a Wi-Fi module. The device runs on the Android system. You can upload photos and pictures from the gadget. The following products are suitable for printing:

beer;
ice cream;
milkshakes;
cookie;
coffee;
cake.

The coffee printer will draw anything, incl. portraits, creative drawings and even landscapes.

Coffee syndrome. Is the coffee shop market at risk of oversaturation?

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Vera Kheifetz

In St. Petersburg, there are now six coffee shops operating under the Stories brand: on Malaya Morskaya Street, Bolshaya Konyushennaya Street, on Nevsky Prospect, etc. The seventh location will open within a week on Aptekarskaya Embankment. There are currently three network points in Moscow. All establishments are owned by the founder.

In the future, the entrepreneur intends to develop the network as a franchise. In the near future, 15 chain establishments should open in St. Petersburg under the management of franchisees. Another 25 coffee shops of the Stories chain will be added to the Moscow market. According to the owners’ estimates, a total of 55 million rubles will be invested in expanding the network.

Where to buy?

You can find coffee printers from Chinese or domestic companies on sale.

AliExpress

The popular online store AliExpress offers a wide range of printers for printing on drinks and desserts. Prices for a good quality device start from 45,000 rubles. At the same time, they print a design on 2-8 portions, depending on the specific model.

When ordering from a Chinese online store, the main thing is to find a product with the highest rating and positive reviews from real users. However, even in this situation, there is no guarantee that the goods will arrive in one piece. In order to return the money, you will have to open a dispute with the seller.

"Coffee print Moscow"

It is not necessary to order a coffee printer from another country and wait several months for delivery, which may not even be successful.

The Moscow company purchases coffee printers from well-known Chinese factories and optimizes them for use in Russia.

Engineers carefully research and test devices and improve them. The fuses are replaced with domestic versions.

Manufacturers of coffee printers. Models and prices

When choosing a device, you need to determine two main points:

Number of flowers. Budget models only work with one color. Expensive coffee printers can create color drawings.
How many cups can you decorate at a time? Cheap models only work with one glass of coffee. In expensive ones, you can install several cups at the same time and print an image on them.

Depending on your tasks, a model is selected. Below are popular options.

Ecoprint

A fairly common option. Price from 100,000 rubles. The kit includes the device itself, a tablet with pre-installed software, and a set of dyes.

You can buy it using the link - https://www.coffee-printer.rf/

SelfiePrint

Produced by a Russian company. Good equipment - device, paint and software. Provides color printing. Cost - 120,000 rubles. The advantage is responsive support and service.

To purchase, go to the manufacturer’s website - https://selfiprint.rf/

Ripple Maker

An inexpensive option - about 60,000 rubles. Can only draw with one color and on one cup at a time. The downside is that you have to buy software separately.

You can view and order on the website - https://www.drinkripples.com/ru

ABC Roasters

It would seem that ABC only recently appeared in Moscow, but they have already managed to open five coffee shops throughout the city. Each of them is a small island of Scandinavian minimalism. White walls, light furniture, a lot of light - nothing will irritate you here. In addition to fresh coffee (for example, a latte here costs 250 rubles) and other hot drinks, here you can treat yourself to pastries and salads.

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