Email: info@grisprint.com / crystal@grisprint.com Phone: +8613249595563
Email: info@grisprint.com / crystal@grisprint.com Phone: +8613249595563
Compare Epson L1440-A1 (DX5) & i3200-A1 for cotton reactive dye/polyester pigment. Based on official specs: grayscale, speed, ink consumption. When to choose each.
Customers building or upgrading digital textile printers always ask the same two questions:
“Can the L1440-A1 (the head everyone calls ‘new DX5’) really deliver premium reactive dye results on cotton?” “Is the i3200-A1 worth the extra money for high-volume reactive or pigment polyester work?”
We move hundreds of both heads every month. This guide compares them using only Epson’s official specifications and real production data from machines running daily worldwide.
For textile printing, only two models matter: L1440-A1 (Aqueous) vs i3200-A1 (Aqueous) (The i3200-E1 is for eco-solvent, U1 is for UV — not used in textile)
| Parameter | L1440-A1 | i3200-A1 |
| Grayscale levels | 3-level (official) | 4-level |
| Droplet sizes | 3.4 – 9.2 – 16 pl | 3.8 – 6.1 – 9.4 pl |
| Smallest droplet | 3.4 pl | 3.8 pl |
| Resolution per colour | 360 dpi (4-colour) / 180 dpi (8-colour) | 600 dpi |
| Real textile result (2-pass reactive cotton) | Very good – runs 85%+ of mid-range machines | Visibly smoother pastels & skin tones – premium look |
Speed & Maintenance Reality (Typical 1.8–2.4 m 4-head reactive cotton)
| Metric | L1440-A1 | i3200-A1 |
| Realistic 2-pass speed | 180–240 m²/h | 280–360 m²/h |
| Daily cleaning cycles (10 h shift) | 6–8 | 3–5 |
| Average head life (good filtration) | 12–18 months | 20–30 months |
| Ink consumption (reactive cotton) | 11–12 g/m² | 9.5–10.5 g/m² |
i3200-A1 costs noticeably more upfront.
But when real volume exceeds ~2,000 m²/month: – 12–18% less ink – 25–30% less cleaning fluid & waste – Roughly half the head replacements
The i3200-A1 pays for itself in 14–18 months and then prints cheaper per metre. Below 1,500 m²/month → L1440-A1 wins every time.
Quick Decision Guide – Common Customer Scenarios
| Scenario | Most customers in this situation choose | Key reasons they give |
| Budget-focused / mid-range reactive cotton production | L1440-A1 | Excellent quality, proven reliability, dominant market share, fastest ROI |
| Premium fashion, home textile, critical skin tones & pastels | i3200-A1 | Noticeably smoother gradation that wins higher-price orders |
| Pigment polyester + high-speed polyester printing | i3200-A1 | Higher resolution + lower ink consumption = better margin |
| Maximum head life & future-proofing | i3200-A1 | Significantly longer service life, lower long-term maintenance |
| Direct drop-in replacement for old DX5/DX7 machines | L1440-A1 | Perfect mechanical/electrical compatibility, zero re-engineering |
Whether you’re building a new machine, upgrading an existing system, or advising a client — we’ll help you pick the right head based on real Epson specs and factory data, not marketing claims.
Your fabric type (cotton / polyester / mix)
Ink chemistry (reactive / pigment / acid)
Monthly volume & target speed
We’ll send a clear recommendation—backed by Epson official documentation
Email us: info@grisprint.com ｜ Inquire Now >>
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Contact: Vicky Wei
Phone: +8613249595563
Email: info@grisprint.com / crystal@grisprint.com
Address: 809Room , 8F, lianchuang Business Center ,No.67 Gongye Road , Mingzhi Street , Longhua District . Shenzhen City . Guangdong Province . China .518110
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