Different Inks, Different Heads: Water, UV, and Solvent Compared
Printhead Design is Limited by "Ink Properties"
Inks can be divided into three categories, with completely different requirements for printheads:
| Ink Type | Liquid Properties | Printhead Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Water-Based Ink (DTF / Sublimation) | High conductivity, low corrosion, fast evaporation | Water-resistant materials + High-frequency control + Precise heating |
| Solvent Ink (Photo / Oil-Based) | Medium volatility, slight corrosiveness | Neutral materials compatible with solvent penetration |
| UV Ink | High viscosity, larger particles, photo-curing, strong corrosiveness | Fully corrosion-resistant structure + Special channels + High-pressure tolerance |
Different Ink Properties, Different Printhead Structures
Water-based Printhead
The channels are fine and dense, and the particles are smaller than 1 μm;
High precision, requires pre-heating treatment (35–50°C);
Not corrosion resistant, can only print water-based ink.
UV Printhead
Anti-corrosion channel + light-resistant curing material wrapping;
Support 3–6 grayscale control, compatible with white ink/varnish;
The ink drop control has high tolerance and is suitable for high viscosity UV ink.
Solvent Printhead
Made of corrosion-resistant materials, no UV-sensitive components inside;
Mainly used for solvent-based advertising ink, vehicle wraps, and outdoor printing.
Printhead Structure Selection Must Match Ink Properties
Common Printhead Models
Water-based ink: Epson XP600, i3200-A1, 4720, DX5 (water-based).
UV ink: Epson i3200-U1, Ricoh Gen5 / Gen6, Konica 1024i, Toshiba CE4M.
Solvent ink: i3200-E1, DX5, 5113.
Most Common Misuses
Using a water-based head to print UV ink → Causes metal corrosion inside the head, delamination, and direct damage to the board.
Using a UV head to print water-based ink → Poor results and short lifespan because UV nozzles are structurally fine and difficult to clean with water-based ink.
Using a solvent head to print water-based ink → Incompatible viscosity, poor atomization, blurry images, and faded colors.
Tips for Choosing the Right Printhead
Identify your ink type → Then determine compatible materials.
Identify your printing accuracy needs → Then choose a nozzle type.
Identify your printing speed and budget → Then choose a printhead model accordingly.
PS: The wrong match may cause issues such as corrosion, blockage, poor adhesion, and excessive maintenance costs.