Xavier Armengou, Managing Director of Roland DG Iberia
Roland DG, a specialist in large-format printers/cutters, cutting plotters, milling machines and 3D printers, will have a prominent presence at Graphispag 2024. Its general manager, Xavier Armengou, previews the new products that the brand will present at the Barcelona trade fair, as well as some trends in the graphics industry, which is looking for new business opportunities in new sectors that incorporate printing into their production processes.
– Personalisation is becoming more important than ever with UV technology. What can you tell us about it?
In the digital age, consumers have become accustomed to personalised experiences and the printing industry is no exception. In 2024, hyper-personalisation is set to be a dominant trend. This goes beyond engraving the customer’s name on an object: it involves tailoring every aspect of the product to the customer’s needs. And in this context, print technology has to be flexible to adapt to consumer demands.
We have recently launched the new VersaOBJECT MO-240 UV printer, the VersaOBJECT COi Series or the TrueVIS LG UV printer/cutter to meet the growing demand for versatile personalisation. These devices print on virtually any surface in full colour at the highest quality, add textures and special effects, offer fast turnaround times, guarantee on-demand printing, and achieve unlimited personalisation.
– Beyond the importance of personalisation, what developments have you noticed in the main demands of your customers?
The printing industry continues to adapt to consumer demands and, in this context, a new era is opening up with some key elements that are shaping the future: internalisation of production, diversification of supply and automation of processes.
On the first point, many companies are re-evaluating their reliance on outsourcing and are looking at the benefits and quality control that in-house production brings. These companies want to grow and have seen their demand for printing products increase.
In relation to diversification of supply, more and more entrepreneurs in the printing sector realise that this is a key factor for growth.
Moreover, thanks to new technologies that are facilitating the development of sustainable and affordable alternatives to create new applications and new sources of profit, diversification of the product offering does not require a large investment.
And finally, process automation is a key element for customers. Artificial intelligence and automation are transforming the printing industry, automating repetitive tasks, streamlining workflows and improving decision-making. This frees up time for employees to focus on more creative and strategic activities.
In response to this trend, Roland DG has launched Roland DG Connect, an equipment monitoring app that helps to understand the entire print process while keeping equipment running at peak performance to reduce downtime and improve work efficiency. In addition, a few months ago the company launched PrintAutoMate, a cloud-based service that simplifies workflow and removes the complexity of template printing.
– Innovation and sustainability are two inseparable concepts, how are you approaching them at Roland DG when thinking about new projects and products?
In 2024 sustainability is not just a keyword, but an essential factor for manufacturers in developing the technology of the future. We print suppliers are taking new steps, from the use of recycled materials and environmentally friendly inks to the implementation of energy-efficient production processes.
Ink formulations are also becoming more advanced and cleaner, opting for water-based solutions that meet the requirements of certification bodies such as Greenguard.
Continuing along these lines, Roland DG equipment has always stood out for its durability, as well as its low level of incidents and interventions, which means a reduction in the carbon footprint levels caused by the movement of goods.
Also of note is the recent launch of the TrueVIS AP-640 printer that is compatible with PVC-free media and environmentally friendly, odourless resin/latex inks that reduce environmental impact and are Greenguard certified, AgBB+ and have the highest indoor air quality rating (A+).
In addition, we recently announced the distribution of DIMENSE. DG DIMENSE is not only impressive technology, but also environmentally friendly.
– This year, Graphispag is looking to expand its reach and connect with companies and professionals in more industry sectors that incorporate print into their production processes. Do you think the industry is also making an effort to embrace more sectors?
Yes, economic factors continue to add complexity to business planning and more and more print entrepreneurs are realising that there is no longer any alternative to product diversification. The digital print industry is expanding into new sectors and applications, taking advantage of the benefits of digital technology to meet an increasing variety of needs. Some of the emerging sectors are the textile and fashion industry, interior decoration, 3D printing, label and packaging printing, personalisation of electronic products and circuits, advertising and marketing, art and photography, food industry, among many others.
The expansion into these new sectors shows the flexibility and potential of digital printing to adapt and evolve, offering innovative and efficient solutions that respond to the specific demands of each industry.
– And related to the previous question, where does Roland DG stand in this respect when considering new markets?
Because our technology is completely versatile, flexible and very easy to use, we have been able to enter sectors that were unthinkable a few years ago. For example, we have recently launched a solution for the full customisation of bicycle frames designed specifically for customisers and bicycle manufacturers.
The Roland DG solution can create water decals, ultra-thin printed stickers, cut-out signs, spray paint masks, bike protectors and frame liners. Roland offers a wide range of affordable and scalable print and cut solutions for fast on-demand delivery, with a quick return on investment. We have a printing solution to meet every need.
Graphispag, showcase for the latest in printing technologies
Roland DG will showcase the latest additions to the VersaSTUDIO Series at Graphispag: the BD-8 desktop UV flatbed printer, which excels as a versatile UV printer capable of direct high-definition printing on a variety of shapes and materials, and the BY-20, which incorporates advanced direct-to-film (DTF) transfer technology. With these two new products, our VersaSTUDIO series, renowned for its compact, easy-to-use and affordable desktop solutions, continues to evolve.
It will also present its UV solutions for higher production: the COi Series, the latest addition to the VersaOBJECT series, which prints high quality designs with vivid, impactful tones on a wide variety of objects and substrates including metal, plastic, cardboard, wood, vinyl and many others, with a maximum height of 242 mm, and the MO-240, designed to enhance direct printing on three-dimensional objects with a productivity of 2.07 m2/h in standard mode, thanks to its large, newly designed staggered printheads, powerful UV-LED lamp and droplet control technology for optimised high-speed printing.
Graphispag visitors will also be able to see impressive applications created with DGDIMENSE’s new Dimensor S printer, a large-format, water-based texture printing machine that opens up a new dimension in printed decoration.
This unique technology enables the simultaneous printing of vivid colour images and complex embossed patterns all in one step, creating multi-dimensional print projects.
Cristina Benavides
Graphispag collaborator
