I am on the verge of purchasing a Roland BN-20 Printer but would appreciate sone simple ideas if the types of products which can be achieved but also what other sellers make ?
What type of products can be made using a Roland BN:20/Solvent printers
I am on the verge of purchasing a Roland BN-20 Printer but would appreciate sone simple ideas if the types of products which can be achieved but also what other sellers make ?
If you are buying new don't forget in year 2 it will cost you £972 for warranty or if buying used it will cost you a service visit (~£380) plus parts to asses the machine to take out warranty. If you have no warranty and the head goes look at a bill of near 2K to have the head changed.
You can produce vinyl stickers/decals and heat transfers with them but bear in mind that the max print width is 480mm and if you put 500mm media in it then the max print size is just over 460mm and they are slow..... Did I mention they are S L O W
With all due respect, why are you even looking at a BN-20 when you haven't a particular use for it?
If you want to get into the print & cut game, go for something reliable yet cheaper. I have an 18" Silver Bullet cutter and a Canon A3+ printer which does well for everything I've ever needed them for. Silver Bullets are available up to 24" in width, ample for most needs.
The beauty of having a separate printer is that you can choose which printer you like. They are also far cheaper than the Roland option and it's usually more cost-effective to replace the printer rather than change a duff print head. You can also use the printer for office printing jobs between cutting jobs.
Also, if the BN-20 printer packs in in the middle of a job then you'll be out of action until it is repaired. With a separate printer/cutter arrangement you could use another spare or begged/stolen/borrowed printer to complete the job.
Just my opinion.
What other machines do you currently run?
It can print anything the bigger machines can print, but is limited to 20" media. It is also very slow, but if you are looking at premium product or want to bring production "in house" then it might be the right step for you.
If you are able, buy something bigger/faster.
The BN20 is a solvent ink printer, so is not quite the same as a conventional inkjet printer. It prints onto specialist solvent media for all manor of uses. Your best bet is to look at the Xpres website, among others, to see what is available. It can be used for anything from garment transfers, small signs, stickers etc.
The BN20 is expensive, too small and slow. For 'only' a couple of thousand more you can get a wider format Mimaki or similar. You will then be able to include banners,signs,vehicle and retail graphics to your product portfolio.
The more you can do with it, the more easily you can pay for it.
I currently have a Canon IX6850 inkjet printer which does not print vinyl I have tried many types of media inc Photo paper and the results don't appear to be good, I have also been informed this is due to my printer being water based.
I would like to create domed/resin badges, decals, vinyl stickers for mainly outdoor use but some interior, I also occasionally print of technical plans due to my profession. The speed for me is not essential as I do not have a huge client base on average 30-40 orders a week as the business is fairly new hence why I was considering the Roland BN-20.
I have also attached some images of the types of products I would like to produce.
All information would be helpful,
Thank You
Current set up
Canon IX6850 inkjet printer
Silhouette Cameo 3 Cutter
Liquid Lens Doming kit
Would it not be more cost-effective for you to outsource the printing, and perhaps even the cutting, and just concentrate on the doming yourself?
I have tried prior and it gets extremely complicated when you have 30 orders all different colours and sizes and when you receive the item you are disappointed with the quality.
I do agree it is definitely cheaper but I would rather a quality product which I am happy with and customers than to save money and get lots of complaints.
Are you able to clarify to achieve printing on media vinyl for outdoor use you would need a solvent based printer is that correct as I have a inkjet which I have been told is inadequate for my needs.
Last edited by Focus1; 15-02-2017 at 11:10 AM.
Sorry, I'm not into vinyl printing myself, but I'd imagine you'd need solvent or eco-solvent inks, if only to reduce UV fading in an outdoor environment.
If doming is genuinely all you want to do with the printer, then the BN20 will do the job.
For smaller designs, low volume work - such as doming, stickers, garment logos and small signage - it is fine, and that is what the machine is marketed to do. The main reason it gets some negative comments is that its speed and size will limit you to those kind of small, low volume jobs.
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