If you're looking for the best desktop DTF printer then you've probably wondered which is better: the Roland BN-20D or the Prestige A3+ or A3+ R?
Given that I have both and have used both, this is a question I keep getting and one that I am hoping I can help answer for you.
I know it's important for you to invest in the best DTF printer and it's not an easy or inexpensive choice! Read on for a comparison between the Roland BN-20D DTF printer vs the Prestige A3+ DTF Printer.
As with anything, there are pros and cons to both desktop DTF printers.
I'll try to cover the pros and cons of features as well as a comparison to the other by major questions that I get including price, print speed, and warranty.
Here's a chart for a quick DTF printer comparison at a glance, with more in depth info below.
DTF Printer Price
Both the sheet fed Prestige A3+ and the roll/sheet DTF Printer, the A3+ R, have a lower price point to get started. To get a full set up with the Prestige A3+ with inks, film, and powder it will cost you about $3765. The R version is slightly more expensive at $3,995 for just the printer (no inks).
A full DTF setup with the Roland BN-20D DTF printer, inks, powder, and film starts around $6750.
There are DTF printer bundles available for both the Prestige and the BN-20D that will get you everything you need immediately including a curing oven and air filter (which I highly recommend). You do not need to use the brand-specific oven or air filter with your printer.
DTF Printer Size
If you are limited on space the Prestige A3+ has a much smaller footprint than the Roland DTF printer, however it also has a smaller printing width. The Roland can print 20" wide, comparison to 13" wide max on the Prestige.
While the Roland DTF printer is much larger, it's still considered desktop but an optional stand is available allowing for easy mobility if you need to move it around your shop.
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Connecting to InLine / Printing Type
The ability for the A3+ R to print off a roll means you can scale your business as you grow by connecting to an inline set up. This means you can add on an automatic powder shaker and curing oven to allow the DTF printing to print continuously.
The Prestige A3+ is sheet fed only and can not take a roll. This max printing width is 13".
The Roland BN-20D only takes a roll of DTF film and you can not feed sheets. The max printing width is a 20", however you can use smaller DTF rolls as well.
One thing that's important to point out is although the Roland DTF printer prints DTF transfers off a roll, you can not connect to an inline system.
The reason is due to how the BN-20D prints. Instead of laying down CMYK and white ink at the same time as the Prestige A3+ does, the Roland DTF printer lays down the CMYK layer first, then rolls back through the machine and then does a second pass to lay down the white. Because of this you are limited in how long you can print to avoid the DTF film rolling back on itself and smearing the ink.
Initial Set up and Maintenance
The Roland BN-20D initial setup and ink charging is far easier and much more automatic than the Prestige. Simply shake the ink cartridges, pop them in and the printer will charge the ink for you (pull the link into the line automatically).
The Prestige A3+ models require the user to use syringes to manually pull each ink color into the dampers in a much more manual and messy process.
The white ink circulation system on the Roland BN-20D also allows for relatively simple and quick daily maintenance - just shake the white ink and print a nozzle check. If any nozzles are missing run an automatic clean and you're good to go. The more involved maintenance can be done on a once a week schedule.
The Prestige also has a white ink circulation system but seems require more overall maintenance.
Printing Speed and Quality
I would not call the printing on either desktop DTF printer "fast", but I will say the Roland is slower with a printing speed of about 5 square feet per hour. The Prestige can print an A3 sheet at 1440 dpi in about 7 minutes.
The Roland BN-20D has a max print resolution of 1440 x 1080 while the Prestige A3+ and A3+R can print at the high resolution of 2880 x 1400.
The Roland BN-20D uses an ink cartridge system with 5 non-refillable 220ml cartridges. The CYMK cartridge replacement cost is $57.99 each. The replacement white ink cartridge is $66.99. You can also get a full replacement set for $298.95.
The Prestige A3+ and A3+ R use a refillable bottle system with 6 lines. Each bottle contains 1000ML and the price is $99.99 for the white and $79.99 each for CMYK. You can also get the full set of inks for $399.
Warranty and Support
The Roland DTF printer is backed by Roland's 1 year warranty which can be extended for up to three years.
The Prestige has a 1 year warranty on non consumable parts and a limited 6 month warranty on the printhead for up to print head replacements.
There is another option and that is the Uninet 100 or 1000 DTF printer. The 100 is sheet feed and the 1000 is the roll version. I have a Uninet 100 DTF printer (that I only just unboxed) so can’t fully compare it yet because I don’t have any experience with it.
With all of that being said, it really comes down to what features/pros/cons matter the most to you. You can use this decision tree to help you further narrow your choice as well by answering just a few basic questions.
If you do decide to go with the Prestige this is the bundle I would recommend. If you go with the Roland this is the bundle I would suggest.
You can learn more on how each of the desktop DTF printers works on my Youtube Channel.
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what would be really great is to do a comparison of all the DTF inks and what is best ie for the prestige model where you can pour any ink into it.
ReplyDeleteI have the poonhod amazon one that I paid 2500 for and works well but still out on what inks have best color and longevity...