The TrueVIS range of wide-format printers for the signage and graphic communications industries has received a big shake-up as six new machines are added to the line-up. That’s right, not one, not two, but six new printers have been released making this the biggest product expansion to date for Roland. As a group of European trade press and Roland dealers gathered at the Circuit de Barcelona – Catalunya on a sunny January morning, we knew something exciting was in the air, but we had no clue the news would be quite this big. The event kicked off with a warm welcome from Roland DG executives including President and chief executive officer of Roland DG Corporation Kohei Tanabe and president and chief executive officer of Roland DG EMEA Gregory Bilsen. We, the audience, were reminded of the ethos behind the manufacturer, namely to empower creativity and excitement worldwide with its products. The company has done this by continuously investing in innovative digital solutions with 2021 seeing a strong focus on promoting structural reform and growth under the keyword ‘Shift’. For Roland, this refers to a shift to grow together with customers and partners in the sign and graphics industry. Machines for makers Why the Circuit de Barcelona – Catalunya? Well, Roland has been working with the BWT Alpine F1 Team for some time with the team’s cars being wrapped using TrueVIS machines as well as producing a range of durable stickers and graphics for the team’s cars, hospitality areas, and even the side of the lorries that transport the cars. The benefits of using this method rather than spray painting was highlighted at the event by Bob Bell, strategic advisor for BWT Alpine F1 Team and Joe McNamara, head of paint and graphics for BWT Alpine F1 Team. These benefits include accurate colours which is imperative for branding; the ability to easily replace branding and stickers quickly and efficiently; and the fast output and short drying time of the inks. Another benefit of using graphics to decorate these vehicles is savings in freight costs as there is no longer a need to return the cars to the factory to be sprayed. One example of time savings is a painted stripe which took 30 hours to paint but took only two hours to produce using printed vinyl. The ability to print on demand also comes into its own during anniversaries and special occasions as different graphics and branding can be produced to celebrate these times and then easily removed and switched back. “I’ve been using Roland DG’s printer/ cutters for years now, and they’ve proven to be very good,” says McNamara, adding: “We currently have three printers running at full capacity, including our newly acquired TrueVIS VG3. What do we print on it? Probably a better question to ask is what don't we don’t print on it. A RECORD LAUNCH Manufacturer of wide-format printing technologies, Roland DG, invited press and dealers to a Formula 1-themed track day to make a huge announcement 36 February / March 2023 - Issue 245 www.printmonthly.co.uk EVENT SPOTLIGHT / ROLAND DG TRUEVIS LAUNCH ▼Bob Bell, strategic advisor for BWT Alpine F1 Team gave an insight into the F1 Team’s relationship with Roland DG machines ◄Three new models and six new machines have been added to the TrueVIS portfolio of machines
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