Ricoh Printheads

JOHOPE supplies a wide selection of Ricoh industrial printheads for UV, DTF, DTG, textile, solvent, and wide-format printing applications. Our range includes Ricoh Gen4 (MH2420), Gen5 (MH5420, MH5440, MH5421), Gen5i (TH5241), Gen6 (MH5320/MH5340), GH2220, G5F (MH5421F), and G5S (MH5220) printheads. We also supply selected Ricoh printhead assemblies for Mimaki printers. Customers can search by printer model or original part number to find the appropriate printhead.

Ricoh printhead selection varies by printer brand, machine generation, ink system, and printhead configuration. The Gen4 (MH2420) is an older industrial option commonly found in earlier UV printing systems. Gen5 (MH5420/MH5440/MH5421) is widely adopted in industrial UV and solvent printers, while Gen6 (MH5320/MH5340) is designed for newer UV applications. Gen5i (TH5241) is a compact thin-film MEMS piezo head used in selected UV and direct-to-shape systems. GH2220 is a compact 384-nozzle printhead used in various UV and DTG platforms. Because different printers may use different versions or configurations of the same Ricoh series, check the part number on your existing head or provide your printer model before ordering.

The appropriate cable length is determined by the printhead carriage design and the distance between the head and control board. JOHOPE supplies Ricoh Gen5 configurations with commonly used cable lengths such as 148 mm, 400 mm, and 650 mm, depending on the specific assembly. Before ordering, compare the cable on your existing printhead and confirm both the connector configuration and required length. A cable that is too short may place unnecessary tension on the connector, while excessive length can create unwanted slack around the carriage.

Ricoh Gen5 and Gen6 are both industrial printhead families with 1,280 nozzles and 600 dpi resolution, but they are designed for different generations of printing systems. Gen5, including models such as MH5420, MH5440, and MH5421, supports applications using UV and solvent inks, with variable drop sizes and high-frequency jetting. Gen6, represented by MH5320/MH5340, is a newer UV-focused generation featuring a minimum 5 pl drop size, up to 50 kHz firing frequency, and an extended service life compared with the previous MH5421/MH5441 generation. For certain configurations, the Gen6 assembly consists of J376-03 (printhead) and J352-04 (cable). Gen6 should not be assumed to be a direct drop-in replacement for Gen5; printer electronics, firmware, and drive settings must support the newer head.

Ricoh industrial printheads are known for their long service life. In typical production environments, Gen5 (MH5420) can last 2+ years, while Gen6 (MH5320) may reach 3 to 4 years with proper maintenance. GH2220 typically lasts around 1 to 2 years. Actual lifespan depends on ink quality, printing volume, nozzle maintenance, and operating conditions.