IN MY MANY YEARS as an editor in the printing industry, I’ve been fortunate to do some pretty cool things. But this last adventure certainly ranks at the top of the list. Our good friends at Roland DG are introducing two exciting new machines to both the apparel and wide-format digital printing markets. And the way in which the company debuted them to the international media and several of its top VIP European dealers was beyond extraordinary.

European dealers? Yes, that’s where my adventure comes in. Last week, I found myself in Milan, Italy, being bused with my new colleagues and friends to a place I had never heard of. And apparently, I’m the last one on earth not to know where we were going. We were honored to see that the meeting would be held at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, best known for its Grand Prix motor racing circuit, which hosts the Formula One Italian Grand Prix. Monza, as most everyone knows (except me, obviously) is where Formula One racing got its start back in the 1920’s. Wow.

DTF Enters the Wide-Format DTF Printing Arena

First, the important stuff — the new printers. As you know, direct-to-film transfers, or DTF, is the hottest digital printing technology continuing to take the market by storm. And it’s working its way into the wide-format world as well. Both traditional screen printers and wide-format PSPs must diversify and adopt these new technologies to remain competitive — you can no longer just operate in a silo.

The launch of the TY-300 direct-to-film (DTF) high-production transfer printer now is available throughout Europe following its debut in Japan this past September and will be coming to the U.S very soon. It is a high-production machine that is ideal for wide-format PSPs and larger screen printers looking to expand into offering transfers in large quantities to smaller apparel decorators who would then apply them to textile substrates for their clients.

According to Roland DG execs, the TY-300 redefines DTF transfer printing, delivering exceptional image quality, high productivity, and cost performance. Its rich colors and precise detail are tailored to meet the demands of the apparel industry.

Equipped with newly engineered printheads and True Rich Color 3 settings, the TY-300 produces vibrant, lifelike prints with a smooth, natural finish. The printer also offers two white ink density profiles for optimal results on various fabric types. To complement the TY-300, Roland DG provides a dedicated DTF shaker oven for efficient curing.

The S-PG2 DTF ink enhances print quality while reducing ink consumption and waste. Advanced features, including automatic printhead cleaning, a nozzle refresher tool, and user-replaceable parts, minimize downtime and improve operational efficiency. Furthermore, the TY-300’s inks and powders are OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT certified, meeting the highest safety standards for human health and environmental protection.

Click here for more info.

Eco-Solvent Innovations

Next, the TrueVIS XP-640 is the newest addition to Roland DG’s flagship large-format printer series. It is a 64˝ eco-solvent inkjet printer that delivers unmatched image quality and exceptional productivity according to the company. Featuring advanced, high-speed data control technology and newly designed dual-staggered print heads, the XP-640 ejects finer ink droplets at higher density and speed. This combination maximizes performance while achieving high-definition image quality.

The new eco-solvent TH ink, featuring vibrant red alongside CMYK, orange, and green, offers exceptional accuracy in red and orange hues —the most critical colors in wide-format graphics. The expanded color gamut ensures precise reproduction of corporate colors.

Additional features include a 7˝ color LCD touch panel, an automated media setup function for precise gap and compensation adjustments, a media take-up system to reduce skewing, and a perforated sheet cutter for quick post-processing.

Click here for more info.

Your Chance to See It Live!

To learn more about the new printers, you can live stream the event here.

So, my quick excursion to Europe was more than a success. Below, I’ve prepared a fun slide show of our special time in Italia — from the presentations of high-level executives to the machines themselves and the awesome finished substrates they put out, including some playful shots of Yours Truly having fun at Monza. And yes…a shot of ITALIAN FOOD!

Talk about lucky. Roland DG and the racetrack execs gave the media and dealers full VIP access to the venue. So, we got to see everything from the track’s starting line, to the international media center, to the winner’s podium. It was truly the experience of a lifetime. Thank you, Roland DG and I hope the printers reading this enjoy this little bio photo essay. Ciao I miei amici!

Finally, your chance to see your fearless editor participate in the pit crew challenge with members of the Alpine racing team. Professionals, I might add. Other than almost killing my driver when I dropped him and nearly flying over the car myself, I’d say it was a job well done. But I think I’ll stick to journalism.