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How to choose a print head for you?

Published by November 12,2024

Ricoh, Kyocera, Konica, Seiko, Toshiba

With so many different brands and models printhead in the printing market,  a big confused and difficult to choose the print head, especially for those who just in UV industrial printing business.

The following are currently widely used : Ricoh printhead, Kyocera printhead, Konica printhead, Seiko printhead, Toshiba printhead, Epson printhead. they are all industrial class head for UV printers.

Below are the information for you: 

Brand Ricoh Konica Kyocera Seiko Toshiba
Model Gen5 GH 2220 KM 512 KM 512i KM 1024i KJ4A Series SPT 1020 CE4
Nozzle Number 1280 384 512 512 1024 2656 1020 636
Effective Printing Width 54 mm 32.4 mm 36.1 mm 36.1 mm 72 mm 108.25 mm 71.9 mm 53.7 mm
Weight 155 g 26 g 95 g 95 g 150 g 420 g / 174 g
Ink Droplet 7-35 pl 3-21 pl 42 pl 30 pl 13 pl 6-14 pl 35 pl 5-35 pl
Max Number of Ink Colors (1 pc) 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Lifespan 3-5 years 2-3 years 2-2.5 years 2 years 2 years 2 years 2-3 years 1-1.5 years
Compatible Ink Type UV / Solvent / Water-based ink Solvent / UV / Oil-based / Water-based ink UV ink UV / Solvent / Oil-based ink UV / Solvent ink
The First UV Printer Time to Market 2012 2015 2014 2017 2013 2016

Ricoh Gen5 print head : The most widely used in uv printers, especially in China uv flatbed printer field.                  

  • Spec: 1280 nozzles, 7-21pl  droplet,  2 colors for 1 head, compatible with UV/ solvent/ water-based ink.
  • Pros: High stability and longevity. Suited for embossing effect printing.
  • Summary: when you wanna buy a uv printer, first choice is RICOH GEN5, The technology in China is the best according to others. price is competitive.. 

ricoh gen5 print head

RICOH GH2220 PRINT HEAD High cost-effective head, better than Epson                                                             

  • Spec: 384 nozzles, 3-21pl variable drop, 1 color for 1 head, compatible with UV/ solvent/ water-based ink.
  • GH2220 is one kind of small Ricoh industrial head with better cost-performance , specifically designed for UV printing. Over strict tests and feedback, it’s recognized better than Epson printhead in precision and longevity, suited for clients demand for quality printing.
  • Compared to  Ricoh Gen5 printhead, GH2220 is in a weak position, half that speed, and lifespan is 2-3 years. But you will get more than you pay for.
  •                                                 RICOH GH2220 PRINT HEAD

Kyocera KJ4A series: Expensive & fast printing                                                                                                     

  • Spec: 2656 nozzles, 6-14pl ink droplet, 1 color for 1 head, compatible with UV ink.
  • Kyocera printhead is mainly used in textile printing market. For UV printing market, its technology is getting more and more.  It performs well in precision and speed, even though the head itself is expensive, as well as 1 color for 1 head, more and more clients can afford . By contrast, Ricoh printhead is more cost-effective, flexible and affordable in the same grade 
  • Many high technology company making uv printers with this kyocera print head.
  •                                                              kyocera print head

Seiko SPT 1020 Print head: Low precision can not satisfy many customers.                                                         

  • Spec: 1020 nozzles, 35 pl droplet size,1 head 1 color, compatible with solvent/ UV/ oil-based ink.
  • Seiko printhead earlier emergence from the industrial head. But currently, with Ricoh and kyocera print heads grows, Seiko printhead is less and less.. . It’s equal to Konica head in a large droplet, in a result of the low resolution, already could not meet most users’ requirements. 

 

                                                    seiko 1020/35 print head

Konica 512i Printhead: mostly in solvent printers.                                                                                                     

  • Konica KM512i: 30pl  KM512: 42pl   KM1024i: 13pl
  • Konica 512i widely use in solvent printes.. but still a lot of factorys works with konica 1024I head, mostly using 1024i 6pl & 13pl.. 

 

                                               konica 512i print head

Toshiba CE4M print head:  75*90 small size uv printing machine , printing beautiful, and cheap price                   

  • Spec: 636 nozzles, 5-35pl variable droplet, 1 color for 1 head, compatible with UV/ solvent ink.
  • Toshiba CE4 head once was popular in 2016 and 2017 with the advantage of 2-year warranty. But now, most of those users are transformed into Ricoh and Epson printhead supporter. Not bad, but no remarkable superiority. In comparison, Ricoh printhead performs better in speed, stability and maturity. There is no much difference in price.

                                                   toshiba print head

Any more questions, feels free to contact us.. we are very glad to help.. Thanks. we look forward to receive your comments.

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