Glossary · Part

UV printing

Print head (inkjet)

The component of a UV printer that sprays the ink onto the material in tiny droplets. It has hundreds to thousands of fine nozzles.

Explained in more detail

An inkjet print head has several rows of nozzles, and each row is assigned to one colour channel. The droplets are only a few picolitres in size, and many heads work with variable droplet size for finer gradients. UV printing almost always uses piezo print heads, and heads from Epson and Ricoh are common. The head is the most expensive wearing part: dried or cured ink clogs nozzles, and stray light from the UV lamp can cure ink on the nozzle plate. Regular cleaning and nozzle checks extend its life.

Where does the term come from?

"Inkjet" is composed of "ink" and "jet". It refers to printers that shoot ink in droplets onto the material without contact.

In practice

• Common Epson heads such as the XP600 or TX800 have 6 nozzle rows with 180 nozzles each; the i3200 has 3,200 nozzles in 8 rows.
• As a spare part, an XP600 costs around 325 to 625 US dollars, an i3200 around 1,380 US dollars, and Ricoh heads considerably more.
• No manufacturer states a binding service life, as it depends on care, ink and use; plan a reserve for replacement.
• Never rub the nozzle plate with pressure; use only lint-free foam swabs and approved cleaning fluid.
• Reflective objects and light-coloured stencils throw UV light back and can cure ink directly on the nozzle plate.

Not to be confused

Not every inkjet head is suitable for UV ink: thermal heads from office printers heat the ink, and UV printing uses almost exclusively piezo heads.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a print head last in a UV printer?

There is no binding manufacturer figure for this. Regular nozzle checks, daily cleaning and well-maintained white ink extend the lifespan considerably, while long periods of inactivity shorten it.

How can I tell that the print head is broken?

If the same nozzles or whole channels keep failing despite several cleanings and a pause, the head is probably permanently damaged. In that case, ask the manufacturer's support before you replace it.