Epson I1600 vs DX5 Printhead: A Practical Comparison for Industrial Integrators
Compare Epson I1600 and DX5 printheads: nozzle count, grayscale, ink compatibility, speed, and real-world suitability for industrial printing. Technical guide for engineers and OEM integrators.
For engineers and OEMs designing or upgrading industrial inkjet systems, choosing between the Epson DX5 and I1600 isn’t just about specs—it’s about matching printhead capabilities to your application’s speed, ink, quality, and lifecycle requirements.
Below is a concise technical comparison followed by real-world decision guidance.
1. Core Specifications at a Glance
| Feature | Epson DX5 (F152000) | Epson I1600 Series |
|---|
| Model Reference | F152000 | I1600-A1 / E1 / U1 |
| Nozzle Count | 1,440 (8 rows × 180) | 1,600 (4 rows × 400) |
| Native Resolution | 1440 dpi (marketing-native; typically used at 360–720 dpi effective via interlace) | 300 npi per row → 600 dpi effective (with 2-row interlace) |
| Droplet Control | Variable size (1.5–21 pl), but binary firing (single pulse per drop) | True 4-level grayscale: 3 fixed droplet sizes per model (e.g., 3.8/6.2/9.3 pl for U1) |
| Max Drive Frequency | 8 kHz | 21.6 kHz (in grayscale mode) |
| Ink Compatibility | Water-based dye/pigment, eco-solvent | • A1: Aqueous
• E1: Weak solvent
• U1: UV-curable |
| Technology | Micro-Piezo (legacy thin-film) | PrecisionCore MEMS (thin-film piezo on silicon) |
| Form Factor | 70.2 mm × 59.4 mm × 35.6 mm | 69.1 mm × 59.4 mm × 35.6 mm |
| Typical Applications | Photo printers, signage, entry-level textile | High-speed UV flatbed, industrial textile, OEM production lines |
Note: Both heads use similar width/depth, but internal ink path materials and electrical interfaces differ significantly.
2. Which One Fits Your Project? Decision Matrix
Answer these questions to narrow your choice:
| Your Priority | Favors DX5 | Favors I1600 |
|---|
| Low upfront cost & fast integration | ✅ Mature ecosystem, abundant third-party driver boards | ❌ Requires custom waveform development |
| Printing speed > 25 m²/h | ❌ Limited by 8 kHz frequency | ✅ 21.6 kHz enables higher throughput |
| Using UV ink | ❌ Not officially supported; high risk of clogging/corrosion | ✅ I1600-U1 designed for UV with compatible materials |
| Need smooth gradients (e.g., photo, fashion) | ⚠️ Relies on software dithering | ✅ Hardware-level grayscale reduces banding |
| Building a new product for 3+ year lifecycle | ❌ Legacy platform, limited future support | ✅ Current-generation industrial head from Epson |
| Servicing in field-heavy markets (e.g., LATAM, SEA) | ✅ Widely available replacements & techs | ❌ Requires trained support for diagnostics |
3. Critical Integration Considerations
- Don’t be misled by “1440 dpi”: The DX5 achieves this through multi-pass printing. In single-pass industrial modes, it often runs at 360×720 or 720×720, while the I1600 delivers true 600 dpi in fewer passes—improving speed and reducing media handling complexity.
- UV users: avoid DX5 retrofits: While some claim UV compatibility, Epson never validated the DX5 for UV chemistry. The I1600-U1 uses UV-resistant coatings and optimized flow paths—critical for long-term reliability.
- I1600 demands cleaner ink: Requires <5 µm filtration and stable temperature control. If your system lacks these, the I1600 may underperform despite its superior specs.
- Waveform matters: Even within I1600 variants, drive waveforms are ink-specific. Using an E1 waveform on a U1 head can cause misfire or damage.
Product Inquiry Pages
Epson DX5 F152000 Printhead – 1440 Nozzles, Aqueous/Eco-Solvent >>
Epson I1600-A1 Printhead – 1,600 Nozzles, Grayscale, Aqueous Ink >>
Epson I1600-E1 Printhead – 1,600 Nozzles, Grayscale, Weak Solvent >>
Epson I1600-U1 Printhead – 1,600 Nozzles, Grayscale, UV Ink >>
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