“This is a very exciting time for us at Roland – as the personalisation market gets bigger, we’re building machines that can slot perfectly into pretty much any business, big or small, and give them what they need to grow,” says Roland DG. At the Printwear and Promotion 2020 trade show in the UK this week, the company showcased a range of technologies including its TrueVIS SG2-300 printer/cutter, the VersaUV LEF-12i and its new LV series of laser engravers.
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| Printwear and Promotion 2020 in Birmingham |
“Roland DG are perhaps better known for their wide-format print-and-cut solutions, but in recent years the Japanese manufacturer has invested their R&D efforts in the growing field of product personalisation,” says a company statement. “These technologies include UV printing, direct-to-garment printing and, as of Autumn 2019, laser cutting.”
Ronee Gillett, personalisation specialist for Roland DG UK: “If you need to boost your production for heat transfer printing or you want to branch out into engraving, we’ve got something for you. Even if you’re looking for some high-end, customised packaging – we can help you with that too.”
Part of Gillett’s job is to liaise with businesses to help them identify the best equipment to invest in. “It’s a massive industry and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution – the most important thing is to make sure you have the right equipment," he says.
Roland DG invested in a larger stand at Printwear (19-21 Jan, Birmingham UK) to demonstrate a wide range of technologies.
Direct Printing
In the printing area, Roland demonstrated the VersaUV LEF-12i, a compact UV printer that can print on an array of materials and objects, from wooden frames to phone covers. With the addition of gloss ink, it’s possible to print 3D tactile effects, reproducing wood grain or printing Braille, for example.
“This is the ideal entry point for businesses looking to branch into UV printing,” says Joe Wigzell, Roland’s Academy and Creative Centre manager. “Even in the short space of time since last year’s exhibition, we’ve seen lots of UV newcomers attending our VersaUV LEF course, each one with some exciting product ideas.”
Wide-Format Print and Cut
Released in 2019, the TrueVIS SG2-300 printer/cutter builds on the success of its predecessor to produce a highly versatile print-and-cut solution. “This is the most compact device in the TrueVIS range and that makes it perfect for people looking to invest in some real, premium kit,” says Rob Goleniowski, head of sales for UK & Ireland. “The scope of products is really impressive, with heat-transfer vinyl, bumper stickers and labels just a small selection of what’s possible.”
Compact Garment Decoration
Heat transfer is one of the most popular methods of garment decoration and for those just starting out, Roland’s VersaSTUDIO BN-20 makes a great desktop print-and-cut solution when space is limited.
With a footprint not much bigger than a typical microwave oven, the Roland BT-12 is a compact, self-contained direct-to-garment printer and heating unit. The BT-12 prints directly to cotton garments like T-shirts and baby clothes in a matter of minutes with a user-friendly cartridge-slot system.
Mark, Engrave and Cut with Lasers
Roland DG recently launched the LV series of laser engravers, compatible with leather, wood, acrylic and more. “Since we’ve installed the LV-290 in our Creative Centre, we can barely keep up with all the great application ideas we keep having,” says Dan Lathall, product specialist, “We’ve created everything from build-it-yourself wooden model kits to acrylic sculptures with super-fine detail. Coupled with the LEF range, this is basically an instant personalisation business.”
Small but mighty
Roland also displayed compact devices like the LD-80 decorator, which uses a laser to produce crisp details in a range of metallic and holographic foils. Users can add monograms to leather diaries or a logos to premium gift boxes.
For metals, the Metaza MPX-95 impact engraver can etch images and messages on metals including gold, silver and titanium. Business owners can add jewellery, keepsakes, hip flasks and lighters to their catalogue.
“At the end of the day, businesses need to look at the long-term return they’re going to get from their investment,” says Gillett. “You might start off with something very affordable, but the reality is, if you really want to grow your business, you need reliability, versatility, quality and speed – and for that, you need to spend a little more. Looking at the short term, it’s scary to invest 10 or 15 grand in a machine, but if you can get the orders in, you can rest assured that our devices will take anything you can throw at them and you’ll have your investment repaid in no time.”
