Roland DGA is selling the new ink under the EcoSOL brand name and using it with its versatile SOLJET Pro II EX series of printers and printer/cutters and economical 30-in. VersaCAMM printer/cutter.
SOLJET Pro II EX Series: The three models in this new series include 54- and 74- in. printers and a 54- in. printer-cutter. All three printers in the Pro II EX line can either quickly output 450-dpi graphics for signs, banners, P-O-P displays, and vehicle wraps or be switched to a 1440 x 1440 dpi print mode with variable-droplet printing for jobs requiring exceptional photorealism.
VersaCAMM: With a list price just under $14,000, Roland DGA's new 30-in., 1440-dpi, four-color VersaCamm printer/cutter gives signmakers an economical option for producing many types of indoor and outdoor contour-cut graphics. With its integrated media-heating system, the VersaCamm uses second-generation, odor-free mild-solvent inks that can adhere to both coated and uncoated substrates. Graphics producers don't need to install special ventilation or environmental equipment in order to safely use the inks.
Lamination isn't required for many applications, but if the graphics are removed from either the printer-cutter model in the EX series or the VersaCamm, they can still be contour cut. The Quadralign? optical registration system built into all of Roland's newest print-cut devices will automatically realign the cutting path to compensate for any skew or distortion that may have occurred during the lamination process.
All of the Roland's new printers also include RIP software that provides simultaneous RIP-and-print capabilities, enhanced color management, contour-cutting, and several distinctive layout options.
Eco-SOL Media: So that graphic producers don't have to waste a lot of time experimenting with various media and developing new profiles, Roland has tested and profiled a new line of uncoated substrates that will yield consistent print results with the mild solvent inks. Roland's Eco-SOL Media (ESM) includes glossy, matte, and clear calendared vinyls with a permanent adhesive, a view-through vinyl with removable adhesive, a calendared wrap vinyl with removable adhesive, a translucent calendered vinyl with a removable adhesive, and flame-retardant and blockout scrim banner materials. Roland plans to expand the ESM line-up with lower-cost papers and films. Roland estimates that with the ESM media, the cost of ink and media used to produce graphics will average about $0.65/sq ft.
The mild solvent inks can also be used with some of the media Roland has developed for its HiFi JET, CAMMJet, and SOLJet printers. (Roland DGA: www.rolanddga.com)