"This is truly the most versatile technology available to garment decorators today," says Xpres, "and is essential for any business looking to extend its current offer". The Versamm VP300 is acclaimed for its superior printing quality, versatility, durability of output and advanced cutting ability, and it is up to 30% faster than previous generation models. 

What is it?

The Roland Versacamm is the world's biggest selling integrated printer and cutter. This versatile and entirely reliable machine is designed for fast, accurate digital cutting and printing in one single device.

Features of the Versacamm VP300 include:

• Full colour printer
• Four print heads giving increased speed against the previous generation machine (SP300)
• Improved engineering features resulting in lower ink consumption
• Ethernet connection for networking
• Improved feeding mechanism
• Lower noise levels
• Improved take up system
• Increased volume of ink cartridges - 220ml each
• Uses Eco solvent ink
• Maximum printing/cutting width of 736mm

Another added feature of the versacamm is that it has an internal monitor that records the printer's period of use and the ambient temperature in the room.

The dimensions of the VP300 with stand are: 1720mm (w) x 770mm (d) x 1275mm (h).  Weight with stand is 125kg.

What does it do?

The Roland Versacamm VP300 prints any image created using a graphics software package (such as CorelDraw) and subsequently cuts around the contour of the image making it ready for application. By using differing types of media, the Versacamm will quickly and expertly produce a hugely diverse range of output including:

• Heat transfers for clothing and accessories
• Labels
• Banners and posters
• P.O.P and window displays
• Package design
• Cut vinyl signage
• Vehicle graphics
• Window stickers
• Durable outdoor signs and billboards
• Backlit signs
• Floor graphics

How does it work?

The VP300 involves a simple process whether creating heat transfers or vehicle wraps. To print and cut the following steps are involved:

The artwork is created or imported into a graphics package, (such as Coreldraw or adobe illustrator) and a cut path or contour lines are created around the edge of the image. The file is then exported into ‘Versaworks', the advanced yet easy to use software programme supplied with the VP300.  Versaworks includes all the features that you would expect in a top flight product including automatic software updates, scaling, cropping, rotating, auto layout, tilting, drag and drop job management, advance colour management, profiling, and direct print hot-folders for both Mac and PC. The file and chosen setting are then sent to the Versacamm, which will produce print only, cut only (used mainly for vinyl) or print and cut (for transfers).

Xpres offers a range of materials to be used in conjunction with the Versacamm, dependant upon the intended use.

Transfers for dark garments whether it is a single colour or full colour image, are best produced using Inkjet dark, that gives a matt finish or colour cut, which produces a semi matt finish. Transfers to go onto white or light coloured garments, should be created using Solvent light matt or Solvent light glossy.

For decorating nylon (100% or slightly less) Nylo print and Dark jet are the two main materials that are most effective when personalising a wide range of clothing and accessories, such as sportswear, workwear, promotional wear, corporatewear, jackets, bags, caps, umbrellas and more.

The benefits

Many garment decorators already incorporate some form of digital transfer system but also invest in a Versacamm because it enables them to do a large run of transfers by printing and cutting with no need to feed the sheets individually from printer to cutter, therefore making the process less time consuming and labour intensive.

By investing in a Versacamm you can add another dimension to your business by offering new services additional to your everyday business.  Many garment decorators or screen printers who have a Versacamm can cross-sell to their customers, for example signage, vehicle wraps and banners.

A key benefit of the Versacamm VP300 is that you can change the ink cartridge mid-print without any affect on the output. 

  The Versacamm uses an ‘Eco Solvent' ink.  These give the same results as a true solvent ink but with added advantages of:

• Easier maintenance - The Versacamm is a self-maintaining automatic machine. No operator maintenance required on a daily basis
• No odour - no special extraction/ventilation involved
• Environmentally friendly - can be disposed of more easily

It is necessary to use a Solvent/Eco Solvent ink in wide format machines such as the Versacamm due to the nature of the materials that are used. If, for instance, a dye/pigment based ink was used on printable sign vinyl, the ink would simply sit on the surface of the material without drying. The solvent within the Versacamm ink penetrates the surface of the material instead.

This machine creates up to 1440dpi resolution, which produces crisp, sharp text and vivid consistent coloured images even on the smallest graphics and the biggest photographic images. The integrated cutter also allows film to be cut at an impressive 300mm a second and is equally competent cutting fine text and graphics. 

 The production costs achievable with the Versacamm enable you to have the ability to produce very cost effective one off or low volume transfers in addition to larger runs of fine detail transfers.

Typically, the cost of ink and materials to print a full colour breast pocket logo is just £0.06p. A chest print for a dark coloured garment using colour cut would cost around £0.30 whilst a transfer for a white or pastel coloured garment costs £0.20 using the solvent light material.

For further information, or to arrange an appointment for a demonstration, contact Xpres on 01332 85 50 85. Visit the website at http://www.xpres.co.uk/