Roland DG's new VersaSTUDIO BT-12 desktop direct-to-garment printer is designed for printing on-demand personalised products directly onto cotton-based products.
“Consumer behaviour has been shifting from consumption to experience due to the diversification of consumer values,” says Etsuo Harada, division president of COTO Business Division for Roland DG. “As a result, businesses have an opportunity to offer high-value merchandise such as personalised products to meet customer needs and desires."
Harada says that since the introduction of VersaCAMM SP-300 in 2003, Roland DG inkjet printers have increasingly been used in the production of custom apparel and fabric goods. “More recently, in-store personalisation services for printing customer designs have grown rapidly. To meet this demand, the COTO Business Division developed the new DTG printer.”
The BT-12 is an easy-to-use A4 size printer that allows printing directly on cotton* substrates. You can print full colour graphics including photos, logos and text on a variety of products, such as t-shirts, tote bags and interior decoration items. Its compact size and affordable pricing allow businesses to offer personalisation services with a low initial investment and in locations where space is limited, including shopping malls, kiosks, apparel stores, hotel gift shops, tourist destinations and event venues..
* Fabric must be 50~100% cotton.
Harada says the BT-12 is ideal for businesses looking for new revenue opportunities by offering an engaging in-store experience for their customers. “Our goal is to provide our users with tools that help deliver a unique experience and quality time for their customers and to transform their imagination into reality.”
When combined with cotodesign, an optional design and print management software that can be purchased separately, the BT-12 can become a complete design, order and print management solution to open new business opportunities and increase foot traffic at retail locations. cotodesign also supports* additional Roland DG devices, allowing businesses to use it for a wide variety of applications and events.
* cotodesign supports VersaSTUDIO BN-20, VersaUV LEF Series and LD-80 Laser Foil Decorator.
The BT-12 is affordably priced, allowing businesses to explore new opportunities with very low initial investment, Harada says. Capable of producing a product from start to finish in as little as ten minutes, the BT-12 is designed for ultimate ease of use and can be operated by virtually anyone with minimal training. Cassettes are used for holding the items for printing and finishing, ensuring the safety of operators and customers.
With dimensions of 399mm (W) ×760mm (D), the printer unit requires very little space. The optional finishing equipment has been designed to be stacked with the printer unit. This dramatically reduces the installation space that is typically required for a traditional direct-to-garment printer and finishing unit combination.
The BT-12 is bundled with easy-to-use Roland Design Software. With an intuitive interface, users can create unique designs with minimal training. In addition to the BT-12, the optional cotodesign software also supports the VersaSTUDIO BN-20 Printer Cutter, the VersaUV LEF Series Printers that are popular for the production of promotional and one-off personalised products, and the LD-80 Laser Foil Decorator.
