Choosing the right printhead is one of the most important decisions when purchasing a UV printer. This guide explains the features, advantages, and applications of Epson, Ricoh, Seiko, Toshiba, Kyocera, and Konica printheads to help you select the best solution for your printing needs.
There is a wide variety of printheads available for UV printers; the main types include:
Epson printheads (Japan): Epson printheads are widely used in domestic UV flatbed printers, primarily valued for their high precision. However, their printing speed is relatively slow.
Ricoh printheads (Japan): Ricoh printheads are commonly used in industrial-grade UV printers. While their printing precision is second only to Epson’s, their printing speed rivals that of Konica. Since a single printhead can control two colors, Ricoh-based UV printers are available in standard configurations of 2, 3, or 4 heads; for higher speed requirements, 8-head models are also an option. Ricoh printheads are favored by many UV printer manufacturers due to their excellent cost-performance ratio.
Seiko printheads (Japan): Seiko printheads are another type of industrial printhead; UV printers equipped with them typically range in price from just over 100,000 to slightly above 200,000 RMB. Models such as the SPT510 and SPT1020-35PL offer lower printing precision and coarser ink droplets, but the printheads themselves are priced at approximately 8,000 to 12,000 RMB each.
Toshiba printheads (Japan): Currently, few domestic manufacturers use Toshiba printheads. These are primarily grayscale printheads, and their market share remains relatively low.
In addition to these, there are printheads from other brands on the market—such as Kyocera and Konica—though they are less commonly used in UV printers.
It is worth noting that the types and performance specifications of UV printer printheads may evolve with technological advancements and market changes. Therefore, when purchasing a UV printer, it is advisable to consult professional vendors or manufacturers for the latest information regarding printhead types and performance.
