What is a printer with Xaar printheads?

What is a printer with Xaar printheads?

It is a digital inkjet printing machine equipped with printheads manufactured by Xaar plc — a British company specializing in industrial piezoelectric inkjet technology. Xaar printheads are known for their robust design, high jetting frequency, and ability to handle challenging ink formulations, making them a proven choice for industrial packaging printing applications where reliability and five-color capability are essential.

Goking offers Xaar printhead configurations in its industrial-grade printer series, with 6, 9, or 12 printheads supporting five-color CMYK plus white printing. Print widths range from 200 to 400mm, with production speeds from 500 to 1,000 meters per hour. The Xaar configuration provides a cost-effective alternative to Epson for mid-volume five-color packaging printing.

 

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Features

Why Choose Goking?

Plateless, Instant Job Changeovers

No plates, no screens, no setup waste. Operators load a digital file and begin printing in under one minute — compared to hours of plate-making and registration on traditional flexo lines. This unlocks profitable short-run production and eliminates make-ready material waste entirely.

Single-Pass Speed up to 110 m/min

G-series single-pass systems print all colors in one pass through a stationary printhead array. Epson configurations run at 45–80 m/min, while Seiko-equipped machines reach up to 110 m/min — 4 to 10 times faster than multi-pass, matching flexo throughput without any plate-related costs.

Three Printhead Platforms, One Fit

Epson (8–32 heads, 600/1,200 DPI, five-color CMYKW) for premium detail. Xaar (6–12 heads, grayscale) for high-viscosity reliability. Seiko (4–18 heads, up to 1,800 mm) for large-format speed. Every machine is configured to the converter's exact requirements — no one-size-fits-all compromise.

Seamless Inline and ERP Integration

Goking machines connect directly to die-cutters, folder-gluers, and stackers for continuous production flow. ERP connectivity enables automated job dispatch, real-time tracking, and digital inventory management — turning a manual print floor into a data-driven operation.

about Goking

We Have The Best Solutions for Your Business

Goking is a leading manufacturer of industrial digital printing machines for the packaging industry, headquartered in Dongguan, China, with a 10,000-square-meter production facility in Huangjiang Town. We specialize in UV-curable inkjet printing systems that eliminate the need for traditional printing plates, enabling on-demand production with near-zero setup time.

Our product portfolio spans three core series: the J-series multi-pass printers for high-resolution short-run production, the G-series single-pass systems delivering 45 to 110 meters per minute for high-volume packaging lines, and the innovative GJ series 2-in-1 machines that combine both multi-pass and single-pass modes in a single platform. All systems feature flexible printhead options — Epson, Xaar, or Seiko — supporting resolutions up to 1,200 DPI and print widths from 200 to 1,800 mm across CMYK plus white color configurations.

Goking machines handle corrugated board, kraft paper, coated paperboard, and honeycomb board with CE-certified quality. Key advantages include one-minute job changes, CMYK digital color matching, inline converting line and ERP connectivity, and eco-friendly UV LED curing technology with low energy consumption. With OEM and ODM customization capabilities, Goking delivers production-ready solutions tailored to converters' specific needs across the global packaging market.

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Xaar Printhead Technology Explained

Xaar printheads use a piezoelectric inkjet architecture, but with a distinctive design approach that differentiates them from other piezoelectric heads. Understanding this technology helps converters evaluate whether Xaar is the right choice for their application.

The core of Xaar's technology is the shared-wall piezoelectric actuator design. In this architecture, each piezoelectric element is shared between two adjacent ink chambers, driving two nozzles. When the element deforms, it creates pressure in one chamber while simultaneously creating suction in the adjacent chamber. This shared-wall design allows high nozzle density and efficient use of the piezoelectric material.

Xaar printheads used in Goking industrial-grade systems include the Xaar 2002+ platform, which features 1,536 or 2,560 active nozzles per head, native nozzle resolution of 360 npi (or 180 npi in two-color mode), and jetting frequencies up to 28-40 kHz. The drop volume range of 13-100 picoliters provides grayscale capability — variable droplet sizes for smooth tonal transitions and solid coverage from the same printhead.

Parameter Xaar 2002+ Specification
Active nozzles 1,536 / 2,560
Drop volume 13-100 pl / 25-215 pl / 9-30 pl
Print width per head 108.3mm
Native resolution 360 npi / 180 npi x 2 colors
Jetting frequency Up to 28-40 kHz
Max productivity 1500 / 2500 / 2300
Dimensions 180.0x47.6x123.0mm / 198.0x47.6x123.0mm

Why Choose Xaar Printheads for Packaging Printing?

Xaar printheads offer several characteristics that make them well-suited for industrial packaging printing applications. These characteristics stem from Xaar's focus on industrial-grade reliability and challenging ink handling.

Five-color capability — Xaar printheads in Goking configurations support CMYK plus white, the essential color set for packaging printing on diverse substrates. The white ink channel enables accurate color reproduction on kraft paper and dark boards by providing an opaque undercoat. Xaar's ability to handle the higher viscosity of white UV ink is a key advantage — white ink is the most challenging color to jet reliably because of its pigment load and viscosity.

High jetting frequency — At 28-40 kHz, Xaar printheads can eject up to 40,000 droplets per second per nozzle. This high frequency translates directly to production speed — more droplets per second means more substrate coverage per unit time. For a multi-pass machine, higher frequency means more passes per minute and higher throughput.

Grayscale capability — The variable drop volume range (13-100 pl) allows Xaar printheads to produce different droplet sizes from the same nozzle. Small drops for fine detail and smooth gradients, large drops for solid coverage and vibrant colors. This grayscale capability is essential for achieving photographic quality on packaging without banding or visible half-tone patterns.

Industrial durability — Xaar printheads are engineered for continuous industrial duty. The robust construction, corrosion-resistant materials, and thermal management design ensure reliable operation in production environments where downtime is costly. Xaar's nozzle plate design resists damage from substrate contact and cleaning procedures.

UV ink compatibility — Xaar printheads are fully compatible with UV-curable ink formulations. The piezoelectric jetting mechanism does not heat the ink, preventing premature polymerization. The printhead's internal fluid channels are designed for UV ink viscosity and surface tension characteristics, ensuring consistent droplet formation and trajectory.

Goking Xaar Configurations

Goking's industrial-grade printer series with Xaar printheads offers three head-count configurations, each targeting different production volumes and print widths.

Config Heads Colors Print Width Speed
Entry (6 heads) Xaar 6 CMYK + W 200mm 500m/h
Mid (9 heads) Xaar 9 CMYK + W 300mm 800m/h
Production (12 heads) Xaar 12 CMYK + W 400mm 1000m/h

All Xaar configurations include the five-color CMYK plus white capability, ensuring that converters can print full-color designs on any substrate — from white coated board to brown kraft paper. The machine weight of 3,000 kilograms provides the structural stability needed for consistent print quality during continuous production.

The scalability from 6 to 12 heads allows converters to match the machine configuration to their production volume. The 6-head entry configuration is ideal for converters entering digital printing or serving niche markets with moderate volumes. The 12-head production configuration handles higher volumes with wider print width and faster throughput. Goking's modular design allows head count expansion in many cases as production volume grows.

Xaar vs Epson vs Seiko: Choosing the Right Printhead

Goking offers three printhead platforms — Xaar, Epson, and Seiko — each with distinct strengths. Understanding the differences helps converters select the printhead technology that best matches their application requirements.

Feature Xaar Epson Seiko
Head range 6-12 8-32 4-18
Colors CMYK + W CMYK / CMYK + W Single color
Native resolution 360 npi 600/1200 DPI Industrial grade
Print width 200-400mm 264-1050mm 400-1800mm
Grayscale Yes (13-100 pl) Yes Yes
Best for Mid-volume 5-color All-round quality + volume Wide-format high-speed

Xaar printheads occupy a specific niche: five-color capability at moderate volume and width. They are the economical choice for converters who need white ink for kraft paper or dark substrate printing but do not require the wider format or higher head count of Epson configurations. For wide-format single-color work, Seiko is the appropriate choice. For maximum quality and scalability, Epson offers the broadest range.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Xaar print quality compare to Epson?

Epson offers higher native resolution (600/1200 DPI vs Xaar's 360 npi). For premium packaging requiring fine text and photographic detail, Epson has an advantage. For standard corrugated and carton printing where viewing distance is greater, Xaar's resolution is adequate. Xaar's grayscale capability helps smooth transitions despite lower native resolution.

Can Xaar printheads handle white UV ink reliably?

Yes. Xaar printheads are specifically designed for industrial ink formulations, including high-viscosity white UV ink. The robust fluid channel design and high jetting force handle the pigment load and viscosity of white ink without the clogging issues that affect less robust printhead designs.

What is the maximum print width with Xaar printheads?

Goking's Xaar configurations support print widths of 200mm (6 heads), 300mm (9 heads), and 400mm (12 heads). These widths are suited for folding cartons, small-format corrugated, and kraft paper bags. For wider formats, Epson or Seiko configurations are available.

How long do Xaar printheads last in production?

Xaar industrial printheads are rated for billions of actuations per nozzle. Under normal production conditions with proper maintenance, this translates to several years of service. The modular design allows individual printhead replacement when needed, minimizing spare parts cost.

Why Goking for Xaar Printhead Printing

Goking integrates Xaar printhead technology in its industrial-grade printer series, providing a cost-effective five-color digital printing solution for mid-volume packaging applications. The 10,000-square-meter Dongguan manufacturing facility assembles and tests each machine, ensuring that the Xaar printhead array is properly configured, aligned, and calibrated for production.

The Xaar configuration shares all the core advantages of Goking's digital printing platform: no plate-making, one-minute job changes, CMYK digital color matching, eco-friendly UV ink, ERP integration, and inline converting line capability. Combined with Xaar's industrial-grade reliability and five-color capability, this provides packaging converters with a proven, production-ready digital printing solution.

For converters evaluating Xaar printhead technology against other printhead options, the decision ultimately depends on the specific production requirements. Xaar printheads excel in applications where ink robustness, grayscale printing capability, and continuous-duty reliability are prioritized. The TF Technology ink recirculation system ensures consistent performance across long production runs without nozzle clogging interruptions. When configured in Goking's industrial-grade platform with five-color CMYKW capability, the Xaar-based printer delivers a compelling combination of print quality, substrate versatility, and operational dependability that mid-volume packaging converters require.

Explore Xaar Printhead Printers

Discover Goking's industrial-grade digital printers with Xaar printheads — five-color UV inkjet for reliable packaging production.

View Xaar Series Machines

Learn more: Industrial Printhead Series | Key Features | Manufacturing | Contact Us

In conclusion, a printer with Xaar printheads offers a proven industrial inkjet solution for packaging converters who need five-color (CMYK plus white) capability at moderate production volumes. Xaar's shared-wall piezoelectric technology, grayscale capability, high jetting frequency, and robust UV ink compatibility make it a reliable choice for packaging printing on corrugated board, kraft paper, and coated paperboard. Goking's integration of Xaar printheads in its industrial-grade printer series, with 6 to 12 head configurations and 200 to 400mm print widths, provides a cost-effective alternative to Epson for converters whose quality and width requirements align with Xaar's capabilities. For packaging businesses seeking a reliable, five-color digital printing solution with proven industrial performance, a Goking printer with Xaar printheads is a production-ready choice.

User Reviews

What users say about Goking

We switched from flexo to Goking's G-series single-pass last year. The 80 m/min speed handles our daily corrugated volume with zero plate costs, and job changeovers that used to take an hour now finish in less than a minute. Our short-run revenue has doubled.

Martin Keller, Production Director, a corrugated packaging plant in Germany

The GJ series 2-in-1 gives us exactly what we needed — multi-pass quality for our premium gift box orders and single-pass throughput for standard carton runs, all from one machine. We no longer have to outsource short runs or turn away small-batch customers.

Thomas Rivière, Operations Manager, a carton converter in France

We print on brown kraft paper bags with full-color designs, and the Epson CMYKW configuration with white undercoat has been a game-changer. The colors pop even on unbleached stock, and the 1,200 DPI resolution is indistinguishable from our offset samples.

Javier Mendez, Owner, a kraft packaging factory in Mexico

What sold us was the inline connectivity — our G-series feeds directly into the die-cutter and slotter. Continuous production from blank board to finished boxes with no manual transfer between stations. Our labor per thousand units is down by over half.

James Thornton, Plant Manager, a corrugated box manufacturer in the United States
Frequently Asked Question

Do you have any question?

Epson offers higher native resolution (600/1200 DPI vs Xaar's 360 npi). For premium packaging requiring fine text and photographic detail, Epson has an advantage. For standard corrugated and carton printing where viewing distance is greater, Xaar's resolution is adequate. Xaar's grayscale capability helps smooth transitions despite lower native resolution.

Yes. Xaar printheads are specifically designed for industrial ink formulations, including high-viscosity white UV ink. The robust fluid channel design and high jetting force handle the pigment load and viscosity of white ink without the clogging issues that affect less robust printhead designs.

Goking's Xaar configurations support print widths of 200mm (6 heads), 300mm (9 heads), and 400mm (12 heads). These widths are suited for folding cartons, small-format corrugated, and kraft paper bags. For wider formats, Epson or Seiko configurations are available.

Xaar industrial printheads are rated for billions of actuations per nozzle. Under normal production conditions with proper maintenance, this translates to several years of service. The modular design allows individual printhead replacement when needed, minimizing spare parts cost.

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