Epson vs Konica vs Ricoh vs Starfire Printheads: A Complete 2025 Comparison Guide
When choosing a printhead for UV printers, DTF printers, eco-solvent machines, or industrial inkjet systems, the printhead technology directly determines image quality, printing speed, ink compatibility, and long-term stability.
At Chenhui Technology, as a reliable supplier of printheads and inkjet spare parts, we are often asked:
“Which printhead is better — Epson, Konica, Ricoh, or Starfire?”
To help you select the right model, here is a professional and easy-to-understand comparison.
1. Epson Printheads — High Resolution & Cost-Effective
Typical Models: I3200-A1 / I3200-E1 / I3200-U1 / XP600 / DX5 / DX7
Best For: UV DTF, eco-solvent printers, small–medium UV flatbed printers
Key Features
• High resolution up to 1440 dpi
• Affordable price, easy to replace
• Fine droplet size (1.5–5pl) for smooth gradients
• Very good color performance
• Widely used in small-to-mid productivity printers
Limitations
• Not designed for extremely high-speed industrial environments
• Shorter lifespan compared with Konica / Starfire
Recommended if you need:
High-quality image output, photo-grade printing, soft gradients, and reasonable cost.
2. Konica Minolta Printheads — Built for High-Speed Production
Typical Models: KM512 / KM1024 / KM1024i / KM1800i
Best For: High-speed textile printers, signage printing, heavy-duty production
Key Features
• Large droplet sizes (6–30pl) for faster coverage
• Very long lifespan and stable industrial-grade design
• High-speed jetting with consistent performance
• Ideal for pigment, dye-sub, and industrial UV
Limitations
• Lower resolution than Epson
• Higher price
Recommended if you need:
High-volume production, long-term stability, and fast output speeds.
3. Ricoh Printheads — Balance Between Resolution & Durability
Typical Models: Ricoh GH2220 / G5 / G6
Best For: UV printers, label printers, industrial coding printers
Key Features
• Great balance: good resolution + industrial durability
• Reliable for 24/7 industrial printing
• Suitable for UV inks, solvent inks, and aqueous inks
• G5/G6 models deliver stable high-speed jetting
Limitations
• More expensive than Epson
• Droplet size larger than Epson, not as photo-grade
Recommended if you need:
Durability similar to Konica but still want good resolution.
4. Starfire Printheads — True Heavy-Duty Industrial Performance
Typical Models: Starfire SG1024 / SG1024SA / SG1024M
Best For: Coding, ceramic printing, industrial UV, high-viscosity ink systems
Key Features
• Extremely robust and designed for harsh environments
• Works with high-viscosity & high-flow inks
• Excellent for large-format industrial printers
• Very long working lifespan
Limitations
• High investment cost
• Resolution lower than Epson
• Not necessary for small-format/photo-quality printing
Recommended if you need:
Heavy-duty industrial output, large-volume continuous production, and high-viscosity ink compatibility.
5. Quick Comparison Table
Printhead Brand | Resolution | Speed | Lifespan | Ink Compatibility | Best Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Epson | ★★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★☆ | UV / Eco-solvent / DTF | Photo quality, small–medium printers |
Konica | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | Textile / UV | Industrial textile & signage |
Ricoh | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | UV / Solvent / Aqueous | UV printers & industrial systems |
Starfire | ★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | High-viscosity inks | Heavy-duty ceramic & large-format |
6. Which Printhead Should You Choose?
Choose Epson if you want:
✔ High resolution
✔ Low cost
✔ Photo-quality printing
Choose Konica if you want:
✔ High-speed production
✔ Long working life
✔ Textile or large-format printing
Choose Ricoh if you want:
✔ Industrial reliability
✔ Good balance of resolution and speed
✔ UV printing
Choose Starfire if you want:
✔ Maximum durability
✔ Harsh-environment performance
✔ Industrial high-viscosity ink support
7. Why Buy Printheads from Chenhui Technology?
• Reliable supplier & manufacturer of printer spare parts
• 100% original printheads with warranty
• Professional technical support
• Stable supply chain & competitive price
• Global shipping
If you need printheads, ink systems, capping stations, dampers, or printer boards, our team is ready to assist.
✅ FAQ Section
1. Are all printheads compatible with UV, eco-solvent, and water-based inks?
No. Each printhead has its own ink compatibility.
• Epson I3200-U1 → UV ink
• I3200-A1 → Aqueous ink
• I3200-E1 → Eco-solvent ink
Always match the correct model to avoid damage.
2. Which printhead lasts the longest?
Generally:
Starfire ≈ Konica > Ricoh > Epson
Industrial printheads offer longer lifespans than desktop-grade Epson heads.
3. Which printhead offers the highest resolution?
Epson printheads lead in resolution and fine image quality due to smaller droplet sizes.
4. Is Ricoh G5/G6 better than Epson I3200?
Not better—just different.
• Epson → Higher resolution
• Ricoh → Better durability & industrial reliability
Choose based on application.
5. Can I upgrade my printer from an Epson head to Konica or Ricoh?
Usually no.
Different printheads require different:
• mainboards
• ink systems
• waveforms
• mechanical mounts
Upgrading requires a full system redesign.
