Printhead Basics — 10-Part Comprehensive Guide ARTJET 2026

Printhead Basics — 10-Part Comprehensive Guide

Quick finder table included · Ink jetting principle → Resolution concept → Spec interpretation → Brand-by-brand head summary

Many printer users — and even service engineers — hold misconceptions about print heads.

“This is a 6-pico head, so the resolution must be great, right?”
“They say it’s the same head but it can do 2400 dpi?”
“Does the head have a lifespan? Is a warranty possible?”
“What’s the difference between a KM1024i and a KM1024?”

The print head is the core component of a UV printer. Once you properly understand jetting principles, resolution concepts, spec interpretation, and brand-specific characteristics, your judgment on everything from equipment selection to troubleshooting will fundamentally change.
If you understand only the content explained here, you will know more about inkjet heads than the inkjet manufacturer salesperson or equipment distributor engineer.

Goal of this article: To organize all 10 parts of printhead basics by topic, so you can quickly find the information you need and apply it in the field.

Who should read this?

Those who want to compare equipment by reading head specs before purchasing a UV printer
Those who want to know the exact meaning of “6-pico head”
Those confused by terms like variable dot, grayscale, and multidrop
Those curious about head lifespan and warranty conditions
Those who want to understand the differences between Ricoh, Konica, and other brand heads

Precautions

Pico liters (pl) represent ink drop volume, not the value that directly determines resolution. Resolution is determined by the diameter of the ink drop on the substrate.
Max jetting frequency on the spec sheet differs from actual operating frequency. Do not mistake spec values for real-world performance.
Head warranty is currently almost impossible. Negotiations were possible in the past, but manufacturer policies have changed.
New heads like MEMS and KM800/1600 are not yet field-verified. Always confirm real-world usage from other manufacturers before adopting.

Key Summary (5 Points)

Ink jetting works by applying an electrical signal to channels inside the nozzle to push ink out. Force and timing determine straightness, speed, and stability.
In “6-pico head,” the omitted unit after pico is liter (volume) — resolution is determined by the ink drop diameter on the substrate.
Variable dot (multidrop) is a technology that jets different-sized ink drops from a single nozzle to improve print quality.
In head specs, prioritize checking NPI (nozzle density), jetting frequency, and ink volume.
Konica naming convention: KM (manufacturer) + number (nozzle count) + i (Independent) + S/M/L (volume) + H (heater)

I. “I Want to Know About This” — Quick Finder Table – Printhead Basics

Find the article you need based on what you want to learn about print heads.
Click a reference number to jump to the detailed guide below.

Recommended Learning Order
Jetting Principle (①) → Resolution Concept (②) → Variable Dot (③) → Lifespan & Warranty (④⑤) → Reading Specs (⑥⑦) → Brand-by-Brand Summary (⑧⑨⑩) — this sequence is the most efficient.

Question	Key Terms	One-Line Summary	Ref.
How does ink come out?	Nozzle, Jetting, Electrical signal	Electrical signal → wall movement → ink ejection	①
Does 6-pico mean high resolution?	Pico liter, dpi, drop diameter	Pico is a volume unit; resolution is determined by drop diameter on substrate	②
What is variable dot?	Grayscale, Multidrop	Technology that jets different-sized drops from a single nozzle	③
Does the head have a lifespan?	Head lifespan, Warranty period	Manufacturers listed it in the past but no longer do	④
Is a free warranty possible?	Warranty request, Manufacturer response	Negotiations were possible in the past, now almost impossible	⑤
I don’t understand spec terminology	NPI, Frequency, Ink volume	Every spec term from the brochure explained one by one	⑥
What should I look at in specs?	Practical points, Brochure reading	Key points and meanings explained using an actual brochure	⑦
What Ricoh heads are available?	Ricoh, Gen5, TH series	Complete Ricoh head lineup summary	⑧
Are Gen5i and Xaar1201 the same?	Ricoh, Xaar, OEM	Logical explanation of why they are the same head	⑨
What do Konica model names mean?	KM1024i, Independent, Shared wall	Naming rule: KM + nozzle count + i + S/M/L + H	⑩

II. Category Classification Table (Structural Overview) – Printhead Basics

A classification table for understanding the overall structure of printhead knowledge.
Learning in order — jetting principles → spec interpretation → brand-by-brand summary — is the most efficient approach.

Category	Topics	What’s Covered	Characteristics	Ref.
A. Jetting & Resolution	Ink jetting, Resolution, Variable dot	Jetting principle, dpi concept, grayscale & multidrop	The most fundamental knowledge for understanding heads	① ② ③
B. Lifespan & Warranty	Head lifespan, Free warranty	Manufacturer lifespan claims, actual warranty request cases	Realistic warranty possibilities with past case studies	④ ⑤
C. Spec Interpretation	Spec terminology, Brochure reading	NPI, frequency terminology explained, key points identified	How to judge head performance from brochures alone	⑥ ⑦
D. Brand-by-Brand Summary	Ricoh, Xaar, Konica	Ricoh lineup, Gen5i=Xaar1201, Konica naming convention	Major industrial inkjet head comparison and summary	⑧ ⑨ ⑩

III. Printhead Basics — 10 Detailed Guides

Printhead knowledge guides based on field experience. Click each card to read the full article.

A. Printhead Fundamentals
— Essential knowledge for understanding heads: jetting principles, resolution concepts, and variable dot technology.

① How Ink Is Jetted from the Print Head

Fundamentals | Ink Jetting Principle

When an electrical signal is applied to channels inside the nozzle, the walls move and ink is ejected. The force and timing determine straightness, speed, and stability.

[Read More →]

② The Exact Concept of Inkjet Print Resolution

Print Resolution Concept — Printhead Basics

Caution: “6-pico = high resolution” is a misconception

The omitted unit after pico is liter (volume). Resolution is determined not by ink volume, but by the diameter of the ink drop on the substrate.

[Read More →]

③ Variable Dot Technology Explained

Variable Dot Explained — Printhead Basics

Fundamentals | Grayscale · Multidrop

A technology that jets different-sized ink drops from a single nozzle to improve print quality. A 7pl variable dot head can produce better quality than a 6pl fixed dot head.

[Read More →]

B. Head Lifespan & Warranty
— Realistic information on head lifespan standards and free warranty possibilities.

④ Print Head Lifespan and Warranty

Field Knowledge | Lifespan Standards

Head manufacturers used to list lifespan figures, but no longer do. This article explains the past standards and practical ways to judge head lifespan.

[Read More →]

⑤ Head Free Warranty Request and Actual Response Cases

Reality: Free warranty is now almost impossible

In the past, partial warranty was possible through negotiation, but manufacturer policies have changed and it is now nearly impossible. Actual request and response cases are shared.

[Read More →]

C. Spec Interpretation
— How to understand brochure spec terminology and identify the key points that matter.

⑥ Printhead Spec Terminology Explained

Spec Reading | Terminology Guide

A detailed explanation of each item in the head brochure — NPI, jetting frequency, ink volume, and more — broken down one by one.

[Read More →]

⑦ Why You Need to Understand Print Head Spec Values

Spec Values and Key Points — Printhead Basics

Spec Reading | Practical Points

Using an actual head brochure, this article explains which spec items to prioritize and what those values really mean in practice.

[Read More →]

D. Brand-by-Brand Head Summary
— Comparison and summary of major industrial inkjet heads: Ricoh, Xaar, and Konica.

⑧ Ricoh Printhead Description

Brand | Ricoh Lineup

A complete summary of Ricoh’s print head lineup. Comparing characteristics across models including Gen5 and TH series.

[Read More →]

⑨ Ricoh Gen5i and Xaar1201 — The Same Head

Brand | Ricoh × Xaar Relationship

Although rarely used today, this article logically explains why the Ricoh Gen5i and Xaar1201 are the same head.

[Read More →]

⑩ What Konica Print Head Model Names Mean

Brand | Konica Naming Convention

Decoding Konica head model names: KM (manufacturer) + number (nozzle count) + i (Independent) + S/M/L (volume) + H (heater). Also explains the difference between Shared wall and Independent drive structures.

[Read More →]

IV. UV Printer Basics · Troubleshooting · Product Guides

We have organized our UV Printer content below. Click an item to read the full post.

1) Ink Supply

23 articles on ink supply issues, including cleaning and pumping

Printer Cleaning Problems — 23 Articles ARTJET 2026

2) Print Head Issues

12 articles on head-related problems, from replacement methods to symptoms

UV Printer Head Issues — 12 Articles by Symptom ARTJET 2026

For deeper printhead study: Printhead Basics — 10 Articles

3) Electronics / Software Issues

UV Printer Electronics / Software Issues — 12 Articles ARTJET 2026

4) Mechanical Issues

UV Printer Mechanical Issues — 10 Articles ARTJET 2026

5) Sai Flexi RIP Installation, Spot Color, Troubleshooting

Sai Flexi RIP Tips — 10 Articles

6) UV Printable Products — Full Summary

26 Products You Can Make with a UV Printer — Full Guide

V. ARTJET UV Printer

After selling and maintaining ARTJET UV printers for over 5 years, we have learned one vital lesson.

The most important factor next to product stability is accumulating troubleshooting data.

Problems can occur with any equipment depending on the environment, working conditions, and user skill level.
What matters in the field isn’t “trouble-free equipment,” but:

How fast and how accurately you can find the cause and solve the problem when it occurs.

ARTJET continuously collects and organizes real-world problem data from the field to support faster and more accurate problem resolution.

🎥 View Print Quality Samples

[Print quality sample by video]

💰 Pricing & Sales Conditions

[Pricing & Sales Condition]

(Note: Exterior design has been updated)

🧾 Full List of UV Printable Products

[UV Printable Product Guide]