Roland DG Announces New Direct-To-Film Printer

Roland DG Australia has announced the local launch of a new product in its VersaSTUDIO series. The BN-20D is a Direct-To-Film (DTF transfer) desktop inkjet printer targeting small and medium-sized print shops, apparel businesses and start-ups.

"Our compact, easy-to-use, and affordable desktop products have contributed to the first steps toward digitalisation in many industries. Today, these products are marketed under the brand name VersaSTUDIO and include a broad range of desktop solutions, such as inkjet printers, cutters, engravers, metal printers, 3D milling machines, and foil transfer laser decorators," said Tony Miller, President of Roland DG’s Global Sales and Marketing Division.

The BN-20D, the newest addition to the VersaSTUDIO series, is an inkjet printer using the DTF method to transfer CMYK colours plus White on fabric for vibrant graphics with fine details, photographic reproduction, and superb contrast. DTF transfer has attracted worldwide attention in the apparel decoration industry in recent years due to the ease of customising apparel and accessories with eye-catching graphics. After printing illustrations, photos, and other graphics on a special film, powder is applied to the film, that is then thermally melted. This eliminates the need for labour-intensive heat transfer methods, such as cutting and weeding, which not only makes the work process more efficient, but also allows the production of more complex and appealing designs.

The BN-20D is equipped with the same high-definition print head used in Roland DG’s award-winning large format inkjet printers for outstanding colour output. The machine can transfer onto both light and dark fabrics, including cotton, polyester, cotton polyester, denim, nylon, and rayon, to produce a wide variety of garments. With its included cutting functionality, the BN-20D can be used as a stand-alone vinyl cutter to further expand the application possibilities.

The printer chassis is based on the BN-20 series, which has sold over 20,000 units, ensuring high reliability and stable output. The BN-20D is bundled with the professional VersaWorks 6 RIP software and is backed by a comprehensive manufacturer's warranty for added peace of mind.

"DTF transfer is a new solution that has the potential to revolutionise the apparel business," Miller said. "We believe that improvements in printers, powders, and films will continue to rapidly advance as customer needs increase. By introducing this DTF transfer solution under the VersaSTUDIO brand, we hope that more and more customers will realise new creative and profitable business opportunities with ease."