Buying guide · Condition grading
Used Printhead Condition Grades Explained
How are used industrial printheads graded? Below is the condition scale PrintWay applies to used Epson, Konica Minolta, Ricoh, Kyocera and Seiko industrial printheads — five grades, from 95/like-new down to parts-only, defined by working-nozzle ratio, accumulated use, appearance and warranty, each with a typical price range versus new. Understanding the grade before you buy avoids most disputes.
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| Grade | Working nozzles | Use | Appearance | Warranty | Price vs new | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 95 · Like-new | 100% firing, no missing lines | Under 10% of rated life | Virtually no marks | Nozzles guaranteed · 7-day trial | ≈ 60–75% of new | High-quality production, main head |
| Grade 90 · Good | 100% after routine cleaning | Under 30% of rated life | Light wear | 30-day nozzle warranty | ≈ 45–60% of new | Daily production workhorse |
| Grade 80 · Usable | ≥95%, minor recoverable clogs | 30–60% of rated life | Visible wear | Powers & fires; nozzle state as-described | ≈ 30–45% of new | Backup head, lower-speed jobs |
| Grade 70 · Functional | ≥85%, fixed missing lines | Over 60% of rated life | Older | Power & fire only, no nozzle guarantee | ≈ 15–30% of new | Non-critical channels, practice, parts |
| Parts · For repair | Not guaranteed, fault described upfront | Varies by unit | Varies by unit | Sold as-is for repair | ≈ 5–15% of new | Refurbishing, harvesting parts |
Grade 95 · Like-new
- Working nozzles
- 100% firing, no missing lines
- Use
- Under 10% of rated life
- Appearance
- Virtually no marks
- Warranty
- Nozzles guaranteed · 7-day trial
- Price vs new
- ≈ 60–75% of new
- Best for
- High-quality production, main head
Grade 90 · Good
- Working nozzles
- 100% after routine cleaning
- Use
- Under 30% of rated life
- Appearance
- Light wear
- Warranty
- 30-day nozzle warranty
- Price vs new
- ≈ 45–60% of new
- Best for
- Daily production workhorse
Grade 80 · Usable
- Working nozzles
- ≥95%, minor recoverable clogs
- Use
- 30–60% of rated life
- Appearance
- Visible wear
- Warranty
- Powers & fires; nozzle state as-described
- Price vs new
- ≈ 30–45% of new
- Best for
- Backup head, lower-speed jobs
Grade 70 · Functional
- Working nozzles
- ≥85%, fixed missing lines
- Use
- Over 60% of rated life
- Appearance
- Older
- Warranty
- Power & fire only, no nozzle guarantee
- Price vs new
- ≈ 15–30% of new
- Best for
- Non-critical channels, practice, parts
Parts · For repair
- Working nozzles
- Not guaranteed, fault described upfront
- Use
- Varies by unit
- Appearance
- Varies by unit
- Warranty
- Sold as-is for repair
- Price vs new
- ≈ 5–15% of new
- Best for
- Refurbishing, harvesting parts
Note: grading standards vary between sellers; this table is PrintWay’s. Every used printhead is unique — the final grade is set by each listing’s real photos and description.
Key terms
- Nozzle warranty vs power warranty
- A "nozzle warranty" means the seller guarantees the nozzles fire (in full or at a stated ratio). A "power warranty" only guarantees the head powers on, fires and drives correctly — it says nothing about nozzle health. Most disputes over used printheads come from confusing the two.
- Missing lines
- A white gap in a nozzle-check pattern caused by a nozzle that no longer fires. The count of missing lines is the most direct indicator of condition.
- Clogging (recoverable vs fixed)
- A nozzle blocked by dried ink or debris. A recoverable clog clears after cleaning; a fixed clog does not, and usually means physical nozzle damage.
- Rated life
- The manufacturer's stated total number of firings, which varies widely by model. A used head's accumulated use is usually estimated as a percentage of rated life.
- One unit, one condition
- Every used printhead is unique. Each listing in the shop corresponds to the exact unit photographed, and its grade is defined by that listing’s real photos and description.