The Roland VersaSTUDIO BN-20 desktop printer-cutter made its UK printwear market debut alongside the VersaUV LEF-12 at the exhibition, which was defined by high visitor numbers, signalling a positive outlook for the industry. Grafityp and Xpres displayed Roland’s range of desktop printers, the VersaSTUDIO BN-20 and VersaUV LEF-12, while KPRayner demonstrated the Metaza MPX-90 impact printer and EGX-350/360 engravers.

Said Rob Goleniowski, Sign & Graphics Business Manager, Roland DG (UK): “It was really pleasing that our solutions proved to be such a draw for each of our partners. The cost-effective and compact BN-20 is the ideal machine for this market and Printwear & Promotion was the first time many in the industry will have been able to see it in action. I met quite a few visitors who had come to the show specifically to see it.

“Some visitors were understandably cautious about the immediate future but the prevailing attitude really was positive. Many arrived keen to explore new technology that could help them to expand and improve revenue streams and, in that respect, the LEF-12 also inspired visitors with the sheer range of applications it is capable of.”

The VersaSTUDIO BN-20 is a complete production studio for promotional goods and garments. This clever solution combines high quality, vivid and durable print with integrated precision cutting, and comes bundled with all the necessary software to bring new levels of versatility to promotional applications and heat transfer jobs. Its ability to print metallic ink quickly and easily also gives gifts and promotional items added “wow” factor, with integrated contour cutting simplifying nested and step-and-repeat designs.

The VersaUV LEF-12 printer places lucrative customisation and personalisation opportunities within reach of businesses of all sizes. As straightforward to use as an ordinary desktop printer, it is an extraordinary machine that enables printing of logos, images and text directly to a huge range of materials and objects up to 100mm deep, including wood, card, papers, films, glass, polyesters, metal, leather and plastics. Users can add value to a vast array of popular consumer items including mobile phone cases, USB sticks, pens, diaries and notepads.

Roland’s engraving and impact printing portfolio was represented at this year’s show by specialist engraving partner KPRayner. On its stand the MPX-90, the fifth generation of the Metaza family of impact printers, was put through its paces personalising metal gift items with text and images. The MPX-90’s cost-effective investment price proved attractive to some visitors and KPRayner was pleased to report taking a number of orders at the show. Also on its stand was the EGX-350 for engraving flat or nearly flat objects from brass plates to corporate gifts and the EGX-360, which also handles cylindrical objects including glassware.