Ricoh TH5241 Gen5i Printhead

Ricoh Gen5i Industrial Inkjet Printhead (Model TH5241)

The Ricoh Gen5i (TH5241) is part of Ricoh’s TH series of industrial inkjet printheads, and it is also Ricoh’s first printhead to feature a thin-film piezoelectric actuator. Built on MEMS technology, it delivers excellent clarity, stability, and versatility thanks to its thin-film piezo design, and its compact structure makes it widely used across various industrial printing equipment. In the UV printing industry, it is commonly referred to simply as the Gen5i.

Key Specifications:
The printhead has a total of 1,280 nozzles, arranged in 4 rows of 320 nozzles each in a staggered layout. The print width is approximately 27.1 mm, and by jetting fine ink droplets it achieves a maximum resolution of up to 1,200 dpi. Nozzle density is 600 npi for single- or two-color modes and 300 npi for four-color mode, with a single head capable of outputting up to 4 colors simultaneously. Because the ink channels for each nozzle row are isolated from one another, a single printhead can perform four-color printing on its own. It offers strong ink compatibility, supporting UV, solvent, and aqueous inks. A common part number is J381-0038 (four-color, 3PL version).

Applications:
It is well suited for sign graphics, label printing, textile printing, direct-to-garment (DTG) printing, direct-to-shape (DTS) printing, and similar fields, as well as a wide range of compact UV flatbed and roll-to-roll printers.

Purchasing Tips:
When ordering a replacement head, always go by the exact model number on the label of the old printhead rather than selecting based on the generation name alone. Unless specified by the manufacturer, the Gen5i cannot be used interchangeably with the Gen5 or Gen6. Installation should be carried out by a qualified technician, with attention to anti-static handling, keeping the ink path clean, matching the waveform and negative pressure, and avoiding any contact with the nozzle face and electrical contacts.

Gen5i (TH5241), as a general-purpose industrial inkjet printhead, is widely integrated into various types of equipment, including UV flatbed printers, roll-to-roll printers, label printing machines, and textile/direct-to-garment (DTG) systems. Because configurations vary between different equipment manufacturers, when ordering a replacement head, please be sure to verify against the exact model number (TH5241) on the original printhead label on your machine, rather than relying solely on the printer model name.