Are you in the market for a new printer? Are you overwhelmed by all the terms, technology, and jargon of purchasing one? If so, this post is here to help! We know making an informed decision regarding printing devices can be confusing. That's why we put together this guide – so that you can figure out which printhead is best suited for your applications and ultimately ensure you get the best printing quality and productivity from your device. Read on for a beginner's guide to Printer Printheads 101!
1. Overview of Printheads and Their Types
2. How to Select the Right Printhead for Your Application
3. Common Mistakes when Choosing a Printer with an Inappropriate Printhead
4. Tips for Maintaining Your Printer's Print Head
5. Wrap Up - What to Keep in Mind When Purchasing a Printer
Overview of Printheads and Their Types
Printheads are an essential part of any printing process and come in various types to cater to different requirements. Thermal printheads, commonly seen in point-of-sale printers, use heat to activate chemicals in the ink ribbon to create an image. Piezoelectric printheads, on the other hand, use electrically charged crystals to push ink through tiny nozzles for precise and consistent printing. Another type is the Continuous Inkjet (CIJ) printhead, which uses a jet stream of ink to create tiny droplets that form the desired image. Moreover, Drop-On-Demand (DOD) printheads produce ink droplets in a controlled manner to ensure accurate printing. Regardless of the type, printheads play a crucial role in the quality and efficiency of printing operations.
How to Select the Right Printhead for Your Application
Selecting the suitable printhead for your printing application can make all the difference in achieving high-quality, accurate results. The type of printhead you choose will impact the resolution, the speed, and the overall performance of your printing system. First, consider the ink type you will use and whether the printhead is designed to handle that particular ink. Next, evaluate the printhead's print width and drop size options to ensure it suits your specific printing needs. Other factors to consider include the viscosity of your ink, the frequency of your print jobs, and the environment in which your printer operates. By carefully selecting the suitable printhead, you can maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of your printing operations.
Common Mistakes When Choosing a Printer with an Inappropriate Printhead
When it comes to choosing a printer, there are several common mistakes that many people make, with one of the most significant being selecting a model with an inappropriate printhead. It's important to understand that different printheads are designed for other purposes and types of printing, and if you choose the wrong one for your needs, you may be left with subpar results. Whether you're looking to print high-quality images or text, it's essential to carefully consider your options and choose a printer that boasts a printhead designed to deliver the results you're looking for. So if you're in the market for a new printer, take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the different types of printheads available and choose one that's right for you.
Tips for Maintaining Your Printer's Print Head
Maintaining your Piezo Electric heads is critical to keeping them printing accurately. We'll discuss three proven methods to keep your printheads clean and functioning correctly. It's important to remember that how often you should clean your printheads depends on the volume of work they do. Some tips are:
- Manual Cleaning – This is done manually with a soft cloth or swab soaked in isopropyl alcohol. It should be used on the whole length of the print head, not just the nozzles. Depending on the amount of work done by the printer, manual cleaning should be done at least once a week.
- Printer's Cleaning Cycle – This is a very effective method where the printer has unique internal processes to auto-clean the printheads. Some models, like the latest models of Mimaki, have a sensor to detect missing nozzles, and the printer starts an autocleaning process automatically. Also, most large format printers have built-in cleaning routines when missing nozzles are present.
- Ultrasonic Cleaning – This specialized method utilizes an ultrasonic cleaner and a particular cleaning solution to clean the Piezo Electric heads. It requires less frequency than manually cleaning, but it also requires more attention since improper use may damage the print heads. This method is most beneficial for very stubborn clogs and primarily for printheads that use white ink. Since White ink is dense than CMYK colors, it causes more clogging issues and is the number one cause for printheads to get clogged.
Wrap-Up - What to Keep in Mind When Purchasing a Large Format Printer based on its Printheads
When purchasing a large format printer, selecting the suitable printhead is crucial to achieving high-quality prints. There are a few key factors to remember, such as the type of ink the printer uses and the size of the droplet it produces. Pay attention to the printhead resolution to ensure that it can handle the level of detail you require, and consider the longevity of the printhead - as it will need to be replaced periodically. Also, choose a printhead compatible with various media types that can handle heavy-duty printing tasks. Considering these factors when purchasing your large format printer will help ensure that you make an informed decision that meets all your professional printing needs.
For more information on how to choose the ideal printer for your application needs, choosing the right printer, with the "RIGHT PRINTHEAD" is key to achieve your goals in term of productivity and quality. Printheads are the most important factor when deciding which printer to buy!.
Contact our highly specialized team to guide you in your purchasing process at sales@allprintheads.com or call us at 800 616 0584.