The Ricoh G6 printhead is now more affordable because the G5 has been discontinued. For Mimaki machines, customers are forced to purchase G5 printheads directly from Mimaki due to the integrated proprietary chips; third-party G5 heads simply cannot be installed. More importantly, Mimaki charges a premium for their printheads, often priced 2 to 4 times higher than a standard G5 head on the market.
Crucially, the Ricoh G6 printhead possesses greater firing power. The standoff distance (gap) between the nozzle and the printing surface can be expanded to 3mm, whereas the G5 is limited to only 2mm. This is one of the most critical physical advantages of the Ricoh G6 in actual production, especially when printing on uneven surfaces.
In industrial UV printing, this 1mm difference often defines the scope of your business. Below is an in-depth comparative analysis of this advantage:
1. Firing Energy and High-Gap Printing
- G5 (2mm Limit): The G5 has relatively lower firing energy. When the printhead distance exceeds 2mm, the ink droplet’s velocity decreases mid-air, making it susceptible to “air turbulence” caused by the carriage movement. This results in overspray, blurring, or “ghosting” effects.
- G6 (3mm+ Advantage): The G6 utilizes a more advanced firing frequency and internal structure, providing a higher initial velocity and impact force for the ink droplets. This means that even at a 3mm distance from the surface, the droplets travel like bullets, maintaining a straight flight path to strike the target point with precision.
2. Why is this 1mm gap so vital? In the Toronto market, this increased clearance allows you to take on higher-margin specialized jobs:
- Curved Products: For example, printing on the rounded edges of phone cases, tapered gift boxes, or slightly sloped wood. While the G5 might blur at the edges, the G6 maintains razor-sharp clarity.
- Material Warp Tolerance: Many substrates (such as affordable PVC foam boards or thin wood) tend to warp upward when exposed to UV lamp heat. If a G5 head is too close (2mm), it risks a head strike (scratching the expensive head); if it is too far, the print becomes blurry. The G6 allows for a 3mm safety margin, protecting your investment while ensuring print quality.
- Textured Surfaces: When printing on canvas, leather, or textured stone, the 3mm gap handles the natural peaks and valleys of the material surface much more effectively.
Technical Comparison Table
| Feature | Ricoh G5 (The Classic) | Ricoh G6 (The High-Speed) |
| Min. Droplet Size | 7 pl (picoliters) | 5 pl (picoliters) |
| Firing Frequency | 30 kHz | 50 kHz |
| Physical Resolution | 600 npi | 600 npi (Optimized placement) |
| Ink Compatibility | Wide (UV, Solvent, Aqueous) | Enhanced (Supports high-viscosity) |
| Overall Speed | Standard Industrial | 30% – 50% Faster |
1. Accuracy and Detail (5pl vs. 7pl)
- G5: With a 7pl minimum droplet, it produces great commercial quality. However, you might see slight “graininess” in very light gradients or tiny text.
- G6: The 5pl droplet is significantly smaller. This allows for much sharper details, smoother skin tones, and professional-grade photographic quality. It is the gold standard for high-end labels and fine art.
2. Production Speed (50kHz vs. 30kHz) 30% Faster!!!
- G6 is built for productivity. Because the firing frequency is nearly double that of the G5, the printhead can eject ink much faster.
- In a production environment, a G6-equipped machine can complete jobs significantly faster than a G5 machine without sacrificing image density.
3. Durability and Ink Handling
- The G6 features an improved internal structure that handles high-viscosity inks better. This is crucial for UV printing where white ink and varnish (clear coat) can be thick and prone to clogging.
- The nozzle surface of the G6 is more resistant to the chemical corrosion of strong UV inks, leading to a longer lifespan in heavy-use scenarios.