Author Topic: Entry Level Solvent Printer?  (Read 978 times)

Offline mimosatexas

  • !!!
  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 4221
  • contributor
Entry Level Solvent Printer?
« on: August 31, 2015, 05:14:08 PM »
I currently outsource my solvent printed vinyl transfers, but my orders are small and I would love to bring it in house.  I have a vinyl cutter, so I am open to either a printer or a printer cutter.  I can't seem to find much info on what would be a quality smaller entry level machine or what models might be good to pickup used.  Anyone have any suggestions?  Thanks!


Offline ericheartsu

  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 3540
Re: Entry Level Solvent Printer?
« Reply #1 on: August 31, 2015, 05:29:27 PM »
We use our Roland to print your transfers. You should check them out. They are roughly $13k. They pay for themselves pretty quickly. You can do stickers, and other stuff too. Next time you are in town, come check it out.

They also cut themselves too...
Night Owls
Waterbased screen printing and promo products.
www.nightowlsprint.com 281.741.7285

Offline mimosatexas

  • !!!
  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 4221
  • contributor
Re: Entry Level Solvent Printer?
« Reply #2 on: August 31, 2015, 05:45:05 PM »
$13k is way above my budget for something like this honestly. 

I always see used roland/mutoh/mimaki ones that are huge (like 54"+ wide) for $2-3k on ebay and craigslist, but can't speak to the specific models or their condition of course.  There are also new ones like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/161490515665?item=161490515665 but I know nothing about this brand.

This is similar to the vinyl cutter for me, a fill in technology for short run quick turnaround stuff.  I could easily have spent 2 or 3 grand on my cutter, but my sub $200 machine is making me tons of money right now and I have yet to really need a larger, faster option.  Almost all of these would be printed to be put on hats/bags/left chests and other smaller items, so I really don't need something that prints 4' wide (and honestly, I don't have the space). 

I was hoping there might be something at or under $1k that was like a 13"/15"/17"/24" wide machine that would perform well, but was definitely "entry level" if that makes sense.

In the mean time, the ones you are printing for me are great and my clients have been thrilled with them so far.  Can't thank you enough!

Offline jvieira

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 381
Re: Entry Level Solvent Printer?
« Reply #3 on: August 31, 2015, 06:30:29 PM »
Do yourself a favor and spend a bit more and get a Roland/Mimaki. They're amazing. We run two Roland BN-20 and they just "print money".
Those are the smallest/cheapest ones (also slower) but they can work 24/7 easily.

Offline Itsa Little CrOoked

  • !!!
  • Gonzo Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 1295
Re: Entry Level Solvent Printer?
« Reply #4 on: August 31, 2015, 07:29:28 PM »
Do yourself a favor and spend a bit more and get a Roland/Mimaki. They're amazing. We run two Roland BN-20 and they just "print money".
Those are the smallest/cheapest ones (also slower) but they can work 24/7 easily.

How do those do printing on heat pressed vinyl for garments?? We do very little of that sort of thing, but we do a few laser printed decals that we contour cut on our GX-24. Small quantities...