Unleash Creativity with UV Printing on the Roland LG Series
The Roland TrueVIS LG series of UV printer/cutters are sold in 54″ or 64″ printing width. Roland has established itself as an industry leader, combining vibrant, high-definition UV-LED printing with integrated contour cutting. Designed for versatility and speed, the LG series allows businesses to move beyond traditional printing and explore a universe of specialty applications. If you are creating dynamic premium signage, labels, prototypes, or textured graphics, the LG series delivers exceptional quality and durability.
The advantages of the Roland LG UV workflow
Roland’s TrueVIS LG printers provide a host of advantages that streamline production and expand creative possibilities:
- Specialty effects: Go beyond standard color with gloss and white inks. The Roland LG series can add spot gloss for attention-grabbing highlights or build up layers to create unique textures and embossed effects.
- Vibrant, durable results: The ECO-UV inks are cured instantly with energy-efficient LED lamps, preventing bleeding and producing sharp, high-resolution images. This durability ensures prints stand up to the harshest environmental conditions.
- Broad media compatibility: Print onto a wide range of flexible and rigid materials, including banners, posters, vinyl, leather, and even semi-rigid cardboard for packaging prototypes.
- Fast production: The instant UV curing means there is no drying or outgassing time needed. This is a significant advantage over solvent printing, which requires media to sit for up to 24 hours.
- Intuitive software: The LG series works with Roland’s VersaWorks RIP software, which makes managing complex, multi-layered print jobs straightforward.
Leraning the LG printing process with VersaWorks
Roland’s VersaWorks software is the command center for your LG printer. Here are some key tips for an efficient workflow:
1. Prepare your artwork:
- Layer your inks: For specialty effects, create separate layers for CMYK, white, and gloss in your design software. This allows you to apply different inks strategically.
- Use spot colors: VersaWorks includes swatches for white, gloss, and primer inks. Applying these spot colors to your design elements tells the RIP where to lay down the special inks.
- Check your special items: In VersaWorks, you can verify that the software is correctly recognizing your white (
Wh), gloss (Gl), and primer (Pr) ink layers before you send the job to the printer.
2. VersaWorks your goto rip software:
- Create layered jobs: For designs with multiple ink layers (e.g., CMYK, then white), use the “Generate Layer Job” function. The “One Pass Multilayer Printing” feature automates the process for efficient production.
- Manage white ink: Printing on dark or transparent media requires a white ink undercoat to make colors pop. Use the VersaWorks settings to place a white layer behind your CMYK image.
- Create 3D textures: For embossed effects, duplicate your gloss layer and increase the number of passes in VersaWorks. This builds up the ink height, creating a tangible texture.
Best practices for optimal results
To get the most out of your Roland LG UV printer, follow these production best practices:
- Calibrate for each material: The LG series features automated media calibration to save time and material. For items with slight variations in height, use VersaWorks’ Generic Distance mode to slow the printhead and fire larger droplets, ensuring consistent quality.
- Handle substrates properly: For odd-shaped items, create a custom jig to hold them securely on the printer bed. This ensures accurate and repeatable placement.
- Perform nozzle checks: Regularly check your print head nozzles to identify any clogs early. A manual clean can resolve issues before they affect print quality.
- Leverage UV Post Cure: To ensure full curing and a durable finish, use VersaWorks’ “UV Post Cure Job” feature. This sends a second pass of the UV lamp over the print after the inks have been laid down.
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