Sato® printers

FAQ on Sato® printers

How long do Sato printheads last?

The life expectancy of a Sato printhead is measured in km. The average distance each head can print before it needs to be replaced is 30km. However, this depends a lot on how you treat it. Printer heads are delicate and subject to wear. It’s important to maintain them well, to get the longest life and best print quality from them.

What can I do to get the longest life from your printheads?

Clean the printhead often with a certified cleaning product. Sato recommends to wipe the printhead with every few roll changes. In addition, your printer settings can have a positive impact on the life of a printer head. Also, consider printing in thermal transfer mode, using a thermal transfer ribbon. Because of the smoother surface of the ribbon, the printhead experiences less friction and wear. Using 4U thermal transfer ribbons, the printhead may last up to 3 times longer.

When should I replace my Sato printhead?

When you see spots, white lines, light images or unreadable barcodes, it’s time to take action. Clean the printhead. Test if that solves the problem. If it doesn’t, then your printhead could be at the end of its life. These are indications that it needs to be replaced.