Spectra Polaris PQ-256 85PL Printhead

The Spectra Polaris PQ-256 85PL is a piezoelectric industrial printhead in the Polaris family, used for commercial and industrial inkjet systems. It is commonly described as the 256-channel half of a PQ-512/85 assembly, with the full head made from two PQ-256/85PL units.

Key details

•     Native drop size: 80 picoliters, with adjustable binary jetting up to 150 picoliters.
•     Nozzles: 256 per PQ-256 unit; the combined PQ-512/85 assembly has 512 channels.
•     Resolution/spacing: about 400 dpi max for the full assembly, with 127 micron spacing for 1-color use and 254 micron spacing for 2-color use.
•     Firing frequency: around 50 kHz for the PQ-512/85 assembly, while related PQ512/85PL references are often listed lower in some third-party overviews.
•     Ink support: UV-curable, solvent, and aqueous inks.
•     Operating temperature: up to 60°C.

Practical comparison

Compared with smaller-drop printheads in the same family, the PQ-256 85PL is built for higher throughput and larger drop volumes, which makes it a better fit for graphics, industrial coding, and other applications where speed and durability matter more than very fine detail.
Compared with XAAR-style heads, third-party industry commentary often describes Spectra Polaris heads as more rugged, with better corrosion and pressure resistance due to a steel-based structure.

Compatibility note

The PQ-512/85 assembly is listed as compatible with systems such as Kornit Avalanche 1000 and Kornit Storm Hexa, and that assembly can be separated into two PQ-256/85PL heads if needed.