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What printer do you use/ would you recommend?
Hi all,
We are thinking of replacing, our now very old and outdated, Roland SP-540V with a new model, but I am dumbfounded by the options available!
Firstly, which brand should I go for? I’ve only ever used Roland before, and not sure if I should stick with them or switch…
Then of course, there’s which model to buy? I need a printer that will also cut so any that can’t can be ruled out.
I currently use a bulk ink system, do newer printers still allow for this? And would it be safe to use non genuine inks in a new printer?
Should I think about printers that offer white ink, UV or light colours?
If anyone has any recommendations for me, or testimonials about their particular printer and their experiences using them that they can offer me, I would be most grateful!
Thanks in advance!
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11 Replies
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Hi Chris, I have just bought the latest HP Latex print and cut bundle – might be worth looking at that as an option
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I’m in a similar position Chris, I have an old SP300 which I am thinking of changing but like you I am a bit baffled by the choices. Do you go for latex, UV or stick with tried and tested solvent inks?
I’m thinking the Roland Truvis range is the descendant of the Versacamm :- https://www.rolanddg.co.uk/products/pri … er-cutters
And having owned mine for more than 10 years I know how reliable they are so am tempted to go for the same.
Interested to hear other recomendations?
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Hi everyone. I bought a cadet (rebadged sp30) about 14 years ago, still running, paid for itself within 3 months. Soon after bought the sp540v, still running. Added another sp540v about 4 years later second hand, got rid for a Roland pro 3 64” print only, fantastic machine.
Bought a pro 4 print & cut over a year ago, different head & ink to all the others so print looks different to the rest, not worse but different. Thinking of getting rid of the versacams now, love them but pros are phenomenally faster -
I’m another Latex user, not sure I’d ever consider a solvent machine now. front loading means less floor space, prints ready to lam right away, or within an hour or two on heavy load/dark colours, I also find that having the seperate cutter makes for faster production as the printer isn’ttied up doing one job or the other, you just keep printing while laminating previous jobs and cutting them.
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We run a Seiko/OKI colour painter. Belting but of kit, had it 3 years now, not had a problem.
However, when we change it’ll be back to Roland, or maybe a HP Latex.
There are limited profiles for the ColourPainter and Signlab VPM.
There are only 2 UK suppliers of the machines, so when spares or engineers are required there’s not as many kicking about.
Not knocking the machine, it’s brilliant, it’s the longer term considerations.
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Are you definitely set on a print and cut? If you’re busy then a separate printer and cutter is much more efficient that print ‘or’ cut.
I love Roland machines but not convinced by the TruVIS, Mimaki are great but not keen on the 300, Mutoh are OK but don’t last as long as the other 2. Not a fan of the HP latex since the Ricoh came about, Seiko/OKI are cracking but expensive.
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Am a Roland fan. We’ve had issues but then so does every machine. Roland care package is a nice fall back though.
We considered all of the above.
Personally I would look at your current work load, then look at where you want to be in 3-4 yrs time and see which printers can fall into that category. I can print 25m-50m a day at a steady pace across different media’s and graphics etc.. and right now I don’t expect to do anymore so our versacamm is fine. Saves a few bob compared to the top models.
On another note. Roland come to me within 4 days if there is a problem. I’ve not been told so far we need to wait for parts. Plenty of ink supplier knocking around and media profiles.
However if your running 3rd party none of that will be the case. If you break it down per CC it seems bizarre to me to go for that tiny bit more. Margins should not be that thin.
Also just to make this post even longer. If my machine breaks (Roland have spent 6k in parts in last fortnight) my cash flow is fine. That saving of a couple of quid per cart can quickly disappear If your running 3rd party and the worst does happen.
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quote Stafford Cox:Not a fan of the HP latex since the Ricoh came about
Just wasted half an hour trying to find video reviews of the Ricoh latex on youtube, unless I’m missing something there’s very little first hand user info out there, just lots of videos that don’t say much and are accompanied by loud irrelevant music!!
I’ll have a look at it at sign UK I think, looks like Josero are there, I like the additional colours with the orange, green etc. but it’ll have to be ‘really special’ to tempt me from HP if it’s a rear loading machine – as it looks! -
It is a rear loading machine Hugh and we’ll have a 7 colour version on our stand so come and see. There aren’t loads of videos of it but the machine will speak for itself against the HP.
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Which stand is that Stafford?
I won’t be in a position to replace current printer for another 12-15 months but keen to take a look at this machine, I DO really like the front loading of the HP but it has caused a couple of issues with super expensive 3M reflective wrap in the way it loads back on itself.
PS, to the OP, sorry for hijacking your post!
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Yeah, sorry Chris., we’re going off topic.
Hugh, feel free to start another topic about the Ricoh and I’ll answer any question there.
We’re on stand D14 and I’ll be there for the duration.
Stafford
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