System and method of printing indicia onto armored cable

A printing system for printing marking indicia on a sheath disposed around a conductor assembly, wherein an exterior surface of the sheath defines spaced apart crowns and valleys, wherein an oil layer is applied to the exterior surface of the sheath, the system comprising:

• a first ink jet print head configured to print a first portion of the marking indicia on the oil layer on the exterior surface of the sheath, wherein the first portion of the marking indicia is printed from an outlet of a first ink jet print head positioned on a first side of the sheath adjacent the sheath at an angle including and between about 60 degrees to about 120 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the sheath;
• a second ink jet print head configured to print a second portion of the marking indicia on the oil layer on the exterior surface of the sheath, the second portion being visually positioned opposite the first portion, wherein the first portion of the marking indicia is printed from an outlet of a second ink jet print head positioned on a second and opposite side of the sheath adjacent the sheath at an angle in a range including and between about 60 degrees and 120 degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the sheath;
• wherein an angle of 0 degrees represents a ray extending collinearly with the sheath and in one direction, and with an angle of 180 degrees representing a ray extending collinearly with the sheath and in an opposite direction;
• and
• wherein the marking indicia indicates at least one characteristic of the electrical cable assembly.