Ricoh Gen5i and Xaar1201 same head ARTJET 2025

• The photo on the left is the Ricoh Gen5i head; the one on the right is the Xaar1201.
• It’s unclear where the name “Gen5i” originated, but Ricoh’s official model name is TH5241.
• The two heads look identical except for two areas.
• The ink inlet where ink enters, and the connection point where the data cable attaches.
• Aside from the ink inlet and data cable connection, the identical appearance indicates these heads are manufactured by the same company.

2_1. Gen5i vs. Xaar1201 Brochure Comparison

2_2. Physical Dimensions

• The Gen5i measures 52.7mm x 45.8mm x 55.4mm.
• The Xaar1201 measures 52.7mm x 45mm x 76.2mm.
• Only the height differs — due to the ink inlet — while the width and depth are identical.

2_3. Total Usable Nozzles for Printing

• The Gen5i has 1,280 nozzles with a print span of 27.1mm.
• The Xaar1201 also has 1,280 nozzles with a print span of 27mm.
• Both share the same nozzle count and the same printable width.

2_4. Nozzle Pitch and NPI

• The Gen5i has four nozzle rows in total. Using a different color in each of the four rows gives 300 npi; using the same color across two rows gives 600 npi.
• Looking at the Xaar1201 photo, it also has four nozzle rows. While only a maximum of 600 npi is listed in the spec, using a different color in each of the four rows gives 300 npi — the same as the Gen5i.
• NPI values are identical between the two heads.
• The inter-row nozzle distances — A (2.2856mm) and B (6.0948mm) — are also identical.
• If you’re unfamiliar with the difference between NPI and DPI, the link below explains the concept in detail.
• The Exact Concept of Inkjet Print Resolution

1_1. The Samba Head

• The leftmost image shows the Dimatix Samba head.
• Its ink drop volume is 2pl, and it actually achieves 1200 x 1200 dpi.
• Looking at the 2-font text, there is no visible dot pattern — it doesn’t even look like inkjet output.
• This head is not used in general signage; it’s an extremely expensive head reserved for high-speed label printing equipment.
• It shouldn’t be directly compared to heads used in standard sign printers, but we’ve included it to show what’s achievable at 2pl for the sake of quality comparison.

1_2. Gen5i Quality Surpasses the XP600

• When using UV ink, the Ricoh Gen5i head jets at roughly 3pl to 3.5pl, achieving an effective resolution of 900 x 1200 dpi.
• While its detail falls short of the Samba head above, we consider it — aside from the Samba — the best print quality achievable among heads used in sign printers.
• The video below compares print quality between the Epson i3200 head and the Gen5i head.
• Epson i3200 vs. Ricoh Gen5i Print Quality Comparison
• For comparison, we placed a sample from the XP600 head — which achieves 720 x 1080 dpi at 4.5pl — on the right.
• Think of the Gen5i’s quality as sitting in between: not as fine as the Samba, but better than the XP600.

• We sold printers equipped with the Xaar1201 head right up until its discontinuation became official in 2020.
• Since it’s a Ricoh OEM head, we expected good durability — but in practice, heads began showing abnormal symptoms after as little as 6 to 9 months of use.
• This didn’t happen to every unit, but roughly 20–30% of heads exhibited this issue.
• Because the Xaar1201 was discontinued, we stopped selling that printer model — but it had always been a source of concern.
• The Xaar1201 — essentially the same head as the Gen5i — was ultimately discontinued in 2020, and units are no longer available on the market.
• We’ve heard that customers who purchased Xaar1201-equipped printers from other vendors up until about a year ago are now told they must pay an additional fee for a Gen5i upgrade (including a board replacement) before the head can be swapped.
• We also understand that Ricoh has never mass-produced the Gen5i — they produce it only in small batches, seemingly just enough to meet existing demand.
• Our guess is that this limited production is itself related to the Gen5i’s stability or durability concerns.