Roland BN-20 or Alternative?

[socialgiraffe]

I would personally go for a 300 (or higher spec) Roland. I personally feel they are better made and tend to be built better. That is just a personal opinion though. I will back that up with the fact that I know loads of people that have switched both ways. Those that go Roland to Mimaki tend to regret it, those that go Mimaki to Roland don't. Again, just something I have found as I do not own a Mimaki (anymore) this is a very limited view.

Also, note that if you intend to print bumper stickers you should laminate them. Stickers for outside use really should have a UV protection.

If you want to do stickers I would consider an OKI and GRAPHTEC cutter automated process. I think they are much better for that sort of thing.

[Mrteajunkie]

Hey

just gonna add my 2 cents in here.
I purchased a bn20 for the same reasons as you and it’s been fantastic.

Speed is fine for me and the quality is outstanding.
we make stickers, printed decals, static clings, T-shirt’s and magnetic signs.
it’s perfect for me and easy to use. and as for media I haven’t had a single issue sourcing the media I need anywhere. if you ask almost any supplier they will cut it to size for you anyway.

When your doing small runs the speed is not important.

[UK Printed Mugs]

Yes you know what I am now under the impression that the BN-20 is probably the ideal choice. I think my decision is between this and the Afinia L502 Colour Label Printer but this printer is purely to print onto existing labels rather than getting them cut.
I probably to determine what the most profitable side is going to be initially - regular 2" stickers for business or vinyl cut decals for clings/decals.

[Mrteajunkie]

There are so many people out there that were really putting me off purchasing the bn20 but as I got a good deal I couldn’t pass it up.

Now I’m thinking what are they moaning at?
it’s a cracking machine and the only downside is the width limitations.

And if your only going to produce the items you have listed then you have no issues.
I do have a dedicated graphtec cutting machine but the Roland will do everything in one machine.

[Jabman]

Hey guys,


Really interesting read. I’m thinking the BN20 also looks the way for us to go as well and am tied between this or the SG2 300.

Would we get away with printing on this every 2:3 days or does this need daily printing?

Cheers

Jabman


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mrteajunkie]

Would we get away with printing on this every 2:3

I print on mine maybe 3 out of 5 working days a week.
I have been in isolation for 14 days and then again for 10 days and not touched it so yes it’s fine.

It has a self cleaning routine and needs to be powered on 24/7 to keep the heads from drying up.

[UK Printed Mugs]

Are they solvent inks in the RN-20 and if so do you suffer from any problems (headaches...)?

[pw66]

If the speed is your only issue then don't let that stop you buying it. Print and cut machines 'do their thing' unattended, so no matter how slow it is you can be getting on with something else.

The ability to print signs and banners on a wider machine is nice, but it isn't always that profitable. There are so many doing banners online that you could be lucky to get £25 per sq metre for banner vinyl. A square metre of garment vinyl could easily hold 150 small logos @ £2 each, netting you £300.
Stickers will be somewhere in the middle.

[pw66]

Are they solvent inks in the RN-20 and if so do you suffer from any problems (headaches...)?

How small is your room?
Eco solvent inks aren't to bad for smell or headache. Even the solvent inks in my Mimaki are only a problem when printing larger signs with high ink coverage.
Sublimation inks smell much worse and can hurt the chest without extraction.

If in doubt a simple inline fan with the trunking out the window is all you need.

[Mrteajunkie]

Are they solvent inks in the RN-20 and if so do you suffer from any problems (headaches...)?

Eco solvent inks yes. (Eco solmax)
I agree like pw66 says when I press even a mug in my workshop it stinks to high heaven.
I haven’t had any smell from the bn20 at all not even at full image hi-res print @A2

if you smell the vinyl after printing you can smell it, but it’s not hanging in the air like sublimation.
when I press coasters and keyrings etc I have to have the windows and door open from the smell.