Epson I1600 Series Printheads – Models, Specs & Applications
EPSON I1600 Series Printheads
The EPSON I1600 series printhead is a high-precision piezoelectric printhead product line launched by Epson for the industrial printing market. It features a compact structure, high printing precision, and excellent ink adaptability. Following the i3200 series, it has become another representative model widely used in mid-to-high-end Epson printing devices.
The I1600 series includes three sub-models, each suitable for different ink types and applications:
I1600-A1: Aqueous inks (dye, pigment, sublimation) – used for textile printing, photography, etc.
I1600-E1: Eco-solvent inks (outdoor signage, lightboxes, vehicle wraps, etc.).
I1600-U1: UV inks (UV flatbed printers, roll-to-roll UV printers, etc.).
Model Code Explanation:
“A” – Represents Aqueous / Dye / Pigment Ink.
“E” – Represents Eco-solvent Ink.
“U” – Represents UV-curable Ink.
Specification Comparison Table
EPSON I1600-A1
Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages:
High printing precision & image quality: Uses Micro Piezo technology, supports minimum 3.8pl droplet and multi-level grayscale printing. Ideal for photography and fine art.
Compact & easy to integrate: Small size, supports dual-head and four-head configurations for high-efficiency platforms.
High compatibility & easy maintenance: Compatible with domestic mainboards, highly adaptable, with a service life of up to 1 year and low maintenance costs.
Stable output & versatile: Suitable for 3–4 mPa·s viscosity aqueous inks, meeting most textile and pigment printing needs.
Disadvantages:
Not compatible with UV or solvent inks; misuse will damage the printhead.
Requires high ink purity; filtered high-quality aqueous inks are recommended.
Needs a negative pressure ink supply system for stability.
Application Scenarios & Recommendations
Applications Scenarios:
Dye sublimation: T-shirts, fabrics, puzzles, mugs, etc.
Dye/pigment printing: Photography, calendars, posters.
Art printing: Artwork, creative prints, calligraphy reproduction.
Recommendations:
Use high-purity aqueous inks.
Regularly check ink supply pressure.
It is recommended to spray once a day during idle periods or use the automatic cleaning function.
Use high-quality boards to avoid compatibility issues.
EPSON I1600-E1
Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages:
Compatible with eco-solvent ink: Supports eco-solvent ink with a viscosity of 3–4 mPa·s, meeting the requirements for weather resistance and colorfastness in advertising printing.
High print precision with smooth gradients: Supports 4-level grayscale and minimum 3.8pl droplets.
High frequency & productivity: 43.2kHz firing frequency for fast, large-volume production.
Cost-effective & stable: Lower operational cost compared to industrial printheads.
Disadvantages:
Not suitable for UV or aqueous inks.
Requires dedicated eco-solvent inks to prevent nozzle corrosion or clogging.
Demands stable negative pressure and temperature control.
Application Scenarios & Recommendations
Applications Scenarios:
Outdoor signage: Lightboxes, vehicle wraps, PVC banners.
Commercial posters / exhibition displays.
Solvent-based photo printing.
Recommendations:
Use eco-friendly mild solvent inks to prevent sedimentation and crystallization.
When installing the ink supply system, avoid introducing air bubbles.
Perform a deep cleaning of the printhead once a week.
Preheat the equipment before starting to improve stability.
Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages:
Designed for UV ink: Suitable for UV-curable inks, supporting printing on non-absorbent materials such as plastic, metal, and acrylic.
High viscosity adaptability: Stable operation at 5–7 mPa·s viscosity, compatible with mainstream UV ink brands.
Supports multi-level grayscale & high precision: Up to 9.3pl large droplet, ideal for varnish/spot UV printing.
Wide application & strong compatibility: Fits most UV flatbed and roll-to-roll printers.
Disadvantages:
Higher price than aqueous versions.
Requires stable UV ink supply & cooling system.
Insufficient cleaning may lead to nozzle clogging.
Application Scenarios & Recommendations
Applications Scenarios:
UV flatbed printing: Acrylic, glass, metal panels.
UV roll-to-roll: Soft films, PP, PVC, PET.
Label / packaging / craft personalization printing.
Recommendations:
Use low-corrosion UV inks to prevent nozzle damage.
Maintain stable ink system pressure & temperature.
When idle, perform proper capping/cleaning to prevent curing and nozzle clogging.
Use nozzle caps or anti-UV covers to extend printhead life.
Product Dimensions
