Ricoh Gen6 vs Gen5 for Packaging: Is MH5320 Worth the Upgrade?

Still deciding between Ricoh MH5320 (Gen6) and MH5421 (Gen5) for your packaging line? Compare real-world speed, ink compatibility, and ROI—based on official Ricoh specs, not hype.

In packaging printing—where every minute of downtime costs thousands—speed alone isn’t enough. You need stable jetting, broad ink compatibility, and long service life under harsh industrial conditions.

Ricoh’s Gen6 (MH5320) promises a leap over Gen5 (MH5421). But does it deliver real ROI on your corrugated, flexible film, or label line?

This guide uses only data from Ricoh’s official specifications to compare:

• Real throughput at production speeds
• Ink flexibility for diverse packaging substrates
• Total cost of ownership over 2 years

Need the raw specs? → See full Ricoh Gen6 Printhead (MH5320/MH5340): Full Specifications & Global Supply → Compare Ricoh MH5320, MH5340, MH5421 Specs Compared: Differences and Replacement Guide

Speed Benchmark: Gen6 vs Gen5 in Real Production

Forget “max frequency”—look at sustainable jetting performance during 8-hour shifts.

Why this matters in packaging:

• At 50 kHz, Gen6 achieves solid coverage in fewer passes—critical for high-speed lines (>70 m/min).
• Smaller 5 pl base droplet reduces graininess on premium labels or shrink sleeves.
• Higher temperature tolerance prevents thermal shutdown in hot factory environments.

Your takeaway: Gen6 doesn’t just go faster—it maintains quality at speed, where Gen5 often requires slowdowns to avoid banding.

🔗 Source: [Ricoh MH5320_5340.pdf – “Jetting frequency: 50kHz (3 levels)”]

Ink Flexibility & Substrate Coverage

Packaging demands ink versatility—from water-based on paper to UV on plastic.

Real impact:

• With Gen5, you’re locked into water-based inks—unsuitable for non-absorbent films or outdoor durability.
• Gen6 lets you run UV-curable inks for instant cure on PET, PP, or metalized substrates—without changing printheads.

Key insight: If you serve food packaging, cosmetics, or industrial labels, Gen6’s ink flexibility opens new markets Gen5 can’t touch.

🔗 Source: [Ricoh MH5320_5340.pdf – “Compatible ink: UV, Solvent, Aqueous… service life more than double that of MH5421”]