Konica Minolta’s New Inkjet Printhead Capable of Jetting Two Colors of Ink – Raising Productivity in Sign Graphics, Packaging and Logistics
21 October 2025: Konica Minolta, Inc. has announced the launch of KM1800iSHK-DC, which is capable of jetting two colors of ink from a single printhead, as a new product of the KM1800i series of industrial inkjet printheads with an extended print width suitable for high-resolution, high-speed printing. The product was exhibited at PACK EXPO Las Vegas, NV, USA.
Values Provided by the KM1800iSHK-DC
Installation Process and Space Reduced by the 24 mm-Thick Two-Color Printhead
Printers for sign graphics such as posters and signboards, and packaging, including labels and packages, use four colors of ink, which are indicated by CMYK. Each of Konica Minolta’s conventional inkjet printheads is capable of jetting one color of ink. In contrast, the KM1800iSHK-DC can jet two colors of ink from a single printhead thanks to the new structural design. In addition to this two-color capability, the printhead also features a thin profile with a thickness of just 24 mm, making it possible to reduce the number of printheads in a print head carriage.
High-Resolution Printing on Curved and Rough Surfaces Realized by Superb Long Throw Distance Performance
The KM1800iSHK-DC also features a superb long throw distance performance, which enables printing with high image quality on target objects 10 mm away from the jetting nozzles. The long throw distance enables printing even on base materials where the distance from the nozzles to the printing surface varies, such as curved and rough surfaces, making the printhead suitable for printing on three-dimensional objects as well.
Saving Time by a Mounting Structure That Facilitates Alignment
Printing with high image quality is crucial in the field of sign graphics. To realize printing with high image quality, ink must be jetted to accurate positions from nozzles. This requires precise alignment between the inkjet printhead and nozzles. The KM1800iSHK-DC employs a mounting structure that facilitates printhead alignment, reducing the time required for alignment.
Product Design for Current Customers’ Usability, in Addition to High-Resolution Printing by the Thin Structure
The narrow width between nozzle rows due to the thin product structure enables high-resolution printing when two colors are used. To enhance usability for customers who use the conventional KM1800i printheads, the product is designed to make it easy to upgrade from these printheads.
About the KM1800i Series
The series embodies Konica Minolta’s key inkjet printheads which are widely used in such applications as sign graphics, labels and packaging, coding and marking, printed circuit boards (PCBs), and flat panel displays (FPDs), including LCDs, because of their suitability for high-speed, high-resolution printing.
Capable of High-Speed Printing, in Addition to Top-Tier Resolution Among Konica Minolta’s Printheads
The proprietary structural design, in which 1,776 nozzles are arranged (on the printhead) with a high density of 600 npi, featuring an extended print width of 75 mm, is combined with high-speed driving technology to realize fast printing and excellent productivity.
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