Ink Jet
A Look at the Common Types of Ink Jet Print Head Designs
Inside your ink jet printer, a print head is the mechanism that applies the ink on to the paper, and is therefore an important part of the printer. There are 2 distinct designs of printer head- the fixed-head design and the disposable head design. Each of course has good points and bad points. Here we will highlight the main features and present as much information as possible so as to give you the choice when you come to buying your next inkjet printer.
Fixed Head Printer Design: The fixed head design involves the print head that is built in to the inkjet. The reasons for having a built in print head is that the print head can last for the lifetime of the printer, and when the ink runs out, the cost of the replacement is less because only the ink tank needs replaced. The downside of this design is that if the print head is damaged or becomes blocked- the entire printer is useless and will then need replaced. Fixed print heads are available in Epson, Canon, Brother, and a few HP printer models.
Disposable Head Design: The disposable print head design means that the print head forms part of the ink cartridge, which is replaced each time ink runs out. This clearly increases the cost of the ink jet cartridge and also makes it more difficult to manufacture a high quality print head cheaply, but it does mean that any issues with the print head mean that it can be replaced for the price of a new ink cartridge. HP uses this design in the majority of printer models, along with Lexmark, Dell, and some early Canon models.
As you can see there are advantages and disadvantages to both designs, and interestingly an intermediate design methodology does exist the comprises of disposable ink tank AND a disposable head (replaced every tenth ink tank or so) This type of design is used in most high volume Hewlett Packard inkjet printers. Which ever type of print head design you prefer it is worth bearing in mind the cost of running that printer over its lifetime will vary quite considerably depending on your choice of print head design, so choose carefully.
About the Author
Stephen Mackie is the owner of an on-line shop that stocks a wide range of printer ink cartridges and toner cartridges, with both compatible and branded cartridges stocked at competitive prices, giving the buyer the widest choice when purchasing new ink jet cartridges.
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Premium Photo Paper- do you own pics nib 8.5×11 inkjet print your own pics NEW $1.99 |
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HP 4×6 Professional Advanced Glossy Photo paper 1260 sht S2 fade resist inkjet $4.99 |
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HP Deskjet 990cxi Color Inkjet printer Wz Duplexer $49.99 |
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Hp DesignJet 2500CP Color InkJet 36” Plotter w/Network Ready FREE SHIPPING $249.99 |
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New OEM HP 56 Ink Jet Cartridge $16.00 |
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HP 4×6 Advanced Glossy Photo paper 1260 sht Q663860014 S2 NEW fade resist inkjet $4.99 |
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Grafix – Ink Jet Film – Adhesive Backed – Clear – 12×12 $14.69 |
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4 New BCI-6 Y BCI6Y YELLOW Ink Jet Cartridge for Canon i9900 PIXMA iP8500 $9.49 |
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4 HP 564XL BK Black CB321WN Ink jet Cartridge for PhotoSmart D7500 D7560 C310a $31.99 |
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Bulk refill dye ink for Canon inkjet printer 4 colors $12.79 |
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Lexmark X2470 All-In-One Inkjet Printer-Manufacturer Refurbished “NIB” $11.00 |
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Brand New Canon PIXMA Pro 9000 MARK II Digital Photo Inkjet Printer w/ Ink $268.00 |
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HP 4×6 Professional Advanced Glossy Photo paper 1540 sht S2 graphic image inkjet $9.99 |
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2 HP 75XL CB338WN Ink jet Cartridge for OfficeJet J5783 J5785 J5788 J5790 J6405 $16.99 |
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Epson PictureMate C11C556001 Digital Photo Inkjet Printer $42.50 |
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HP OfficeJet 470 / H470 Mobile Portable Inkjet Printer, with BlueTooth $51.00 |
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Brand new HP OfficeJet 4500 Wireless All-In-One Inkjet Printer sealed not open $99.69 |
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HP Deskjet D4260 Standard Inkjet Printer $18.00 |
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HP Photosmart A524 Digital Photo Inkjet Printer & Accessories and Free Gift $0.99 |
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HP 4x6in Professional Advanced Glossy Photo paper 1270 sheet PL S2 NEW inkjet $4.99 |
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HP 4×6 Advanced Glossy Photo paper 1260 sht Q663860014 S2 NEW fade resist inkjet $4.99 |
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New * Brand New * Kodak ESP 7250 All-In-One Inkjet Printer $109.88 |
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HP 41 Tri-Color Inkjet Print Cartridge (Expired) $0.99 |
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Dell M4640 + M4640+ M4646 Inkjet Cartridge Series 5 3PK $25.60 |
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HP 4×6 Professional 1320 Sht HP Premium Plus Photo Paper Glossy Q2502 PK inkjet $4.99 |
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BCI-6 G BCI-6G GREEN New Ink Jet Cartridge for Canon i9900 PIXMA iP8500 $3.99 |
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Brand new HP OfficeJet 4500 Wireless All-In-One Inkjet Printer sealed not open $102.99 |
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HP Photosmart Premium C310A All-In-One Inkjet Printer Missing Scanner Lid $24.99 |
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HP 4×6 in 1440 Sheet HP Premium Plus Photo Paper Glossy Q2502 PK inkjet design $9.99 |
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Matthews Jet-A-Mark Large Capacity Ink System LCIS 3-20 psi $150.00 |
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HP DesignJet 500 42″ Wide Large Format Inkjet Plotter $1,695.00 |
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HP DesignJet T1100 44″ Wide Large Format Inkjet Printer $1,995.00 |
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5 HP 74XL HP 75XL Ink jet Cartridge for PhotoSmart C5240 C5250 C5270 C5273 C5275 $35.99 |
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HP 4×6 Advanced Glossy Photo paper 1260 sht Q663860014 S2 NEW fade resist inkjet $4.99 |
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HP DesignJet 4000 42″ Wide Large Format Inkjet Printer Plotter $2,895.00 |
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HP DesignJet 4000PS 42″ Wide Large Format Inkjet Printer Plotter $3,295.00 |
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F1457B 64MB HP Business Inkjet 2200 2250 RAM Memory $4.95 |
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HP 4×6 Advanced Glossy Photo paper 1260 sht Q663860014 S2 graphic design inkjet $4.99 |
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Epson WorkForce 615 All-In-One Inkjet Printer $89.00 |
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Compatible Black Inkjet Cartridge For Use In HP C9351AN New $5.95 |
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2000 Laser Inkjet Copier Labels, 2 3/4″ x 4 1/4″ $35.75 |
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800 Laser Inkjet Copier Labels, 2 3/4″ x 4 1/4″ $19.50 |
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4 BCI-6 BCI-3e Ink jet for Canon PIXMA iP3000 iP4000 iP4000R iP5000 i560 i860 $9.66 |
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5 HP 564XL BK C M Y Ink jet Cartridge for PhotoSmart D7500 D7560 C310a $38.42 |
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10 Dark Fabric T-Shirt Iron On Inkjet Transfer Paper A4 $2.89 |
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HP 4×6 Professional Advanced Glossy Photo paper 1260 sht S2 art design inkjet $4.99 |
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4 HP 940XL M C4908AN Ink jet for OfficeJet 8000 8500 8500a Plus Premium Printer $33.99 |
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HP 4×6 Advanced Glossy Photo paper 1260 sht Q663860014 S2 NEW fade resist inkjet $4.99 |
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HP 60 (300)CC640 Inkjet Black Printer Ink Cartridge 50% MORE INK THAN A NEW ONE! $12.94 |
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New HP Brochure paper Marketspash 150 Glossy inkjet Laser Sealed 8.5 x 11 $18.99 |
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High Quality Inkjet Printer Hard Rugged Defender Cool Case Skin For iPhone 4s 4 $9.98 |
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Q7906A HP Advance Glossy Photo Paper 600 Sheet 4 in x 6 in Ink-jet printer $4.99 |
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Canon PIXMA Pro 9000 MARK II Digital Photo Inkjet Printer $200.00 |
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Avery Ink Jet CALENDAR KIT 3278 DIY Brand New in Sealed Box glossy free shipping $14.99 |
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New Hp Advanced Media Photo paper Glossy sheets 13×19 inkjet $89.99 |
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SQUID INK PZ PILOT INK JET PRINTER 2002056 AND MORE $750.00 |
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HP BUSINESS INKJET 2280n COLOR PRINTER $79.99 |
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PRINT PRO DIAGNOSTIC TOOL 385021 FOR VIDEOJET INK JET PRINTERS $50.00 |
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HP Everyday Photo Paper Gloss 650 sheets 4 x 6 Inches Q8868A Inkjet printer $4.99 |
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Canon PIXMA IP4700 Digital Photo Inkjet Printer w/Extra Color Ink Pack $89.99 |
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256MB HP Business InkJet 2800 2800dt 2800dtn Memory $11.00 |
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Epson WorkForce Pro WP-4590 Inkjet Multifunction Color Printer C11CB31201 $573.61 |
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HP 4×6 Professional Advanced Glossy Photo paper 1260 sht S2 graphic image inkjet $4.99 |
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3 LC-61 Cyan Ink jet Cartridge for Brother MFC-J220 MFC-265W MFC-J270W MFC-J410W $6.89 |
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HP Business 1200DTN Inkjet Printer 1200 P# C8155A $188.00 |
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4 HP 564XL Y Yellow CB325WN Ink jet Cartridge for PhotoSmart D7500 D7560 C310a $30.99 |
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Decal Paper Inkjet(3 Clear Sheets/3 White Sheets) We combine shipping 9203 $10.10 |
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Lexmark X73 Inkjet All-In-One Printer Scanner Copier + CD + Manual Parts Repair $19.99 |
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Epson Stylus R1800 Digital Photo Inkjet Printer – NICE PRINTER! $86.00 |
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4 BCI-3e Ink jet Cartridge for Canon S520 S530D S600 S630 S750 BJC-3000 BJC-6000 $8.49 |
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Canon S530D Standard Inkjet Printer $28.00 |
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Lexmark X5320 All-In-One Inkjet Printer $15.00 |
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HP Photosmart C3180 All-In-One Inkjet Printer $28.00 |
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HP Deskjet 3940 Digital Photo Inkjet Printer $16.00 |
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HP 901 Black & Color Inkjet Refill kit $7.59 |
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HP Q1989A Premium Glossy Photo Paper 960 Sheets 4X6 In creative design inkjet $4.99 |
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HP DeskJet D2660 Standard Inkjet Printer $7.99 |
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HP 4×6 Advanced Glossy Photo paper 1260 sht Q663860014 S2 graphic design inkjet $4.99 |
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HP Q8933-10004 8.5×11 inkjet Glossy Marketsplash & Brochure Papers (650 sheets) $9.99 |
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Harman Matte Cotton Inkjet Paper, 24in x 49 Ft Roll #10646004 $176.10 |
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Grafix – Ink Jet Film – Rub-Onz and Adhesive Film – Use to Create Rub-Ons $8.99 |
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Canon SELPHY CP740 Digital Photo Inkjet Printer $9.99 |
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8 HP 564XL BK C M Y Ink jet Cartridge for PhotoSmart D7500 D7560 C310a $59.91 |
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HP 4×6 Professional Advanced Glossy Photo paper 1260 sht S2 design new inkjet $4.99 |
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4 BCI-6 Ink jet Cartridge for Canon S9000 i900D i9100 i950 i960 i9900 s800 s820 $9.19 |
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C6602A HP Inkjet Print Cartridge $45.00 |
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JetTec Black Inkjet Cartridge Refill Pack R16 New/Sealed + Service Station $19.00 |
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840 Sheets HP Q1989A Photo Creation Premium Glossy Photo Paper New 4×6 In inkjet $4.99 |
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HP Photosmart C5280 All-In-One Inkjet Printer $15.00 |
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MARSH LCP/ML8 IJCML13449 INK JET SYSTEMS CONTROLLER WITH KID 5 PROGRAMMER 41523 $199.15 |
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1250 sheets HP CG813-60001 Glossy Advanced Photo PaperPacks 4×6 in for Inkjet $4.99 |
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HP 4×6 Professional Advanced Glossy Photo paper 1260 sht S2 graphic image inkjet $4.99 |
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2 HP 75XL (CB338WN) COLOR Ink jet for PhotoSmart C4345 C4348 C4380 C4382 C4383 $16.99 |
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HP Photosmart Premium C309G All-In-One Inkjet Printer $1.85 |
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650 sheets HP Q8933-10004 8.5×11 in inkjet Glossy Marketsplash & Brochure Papers $4.99 |
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HP Photosmart 145 Digital Photo Inkjet Printer $19.00 |
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24 BCI-6 Ink jet Cartridge for Canon S9000 i900D i9100 i950 i960 i9900 s800 s820 $34.98 |
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NEW Epson UltraChrome K3 Ink Cartridge – Inkjet – Light $55.24 |
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High Quality Inkjet Printer Hard Rugged Defender Cool Case Skin For iPhone 4s 4 $9.98 |
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HP Q1989A Photo Creation Premium Glossy Photo Paper New 960 Sheets 4×6 In inkjet $4.99 |
