68 email: editor@signlink.co.uk Issue 266 - August | September 2026 HYBRID PRINTERS | JONATHAN PERT The Mimaki UJ330H-160 offers a top print speed of 22sq m/h in four-colour mode 22sqm/h rolls. The range also includes the more entry-level TrueVIS MG-640, which utilises tension bars and extension tables to handle thin films and folding box boards up to 1mm in thickness. However, our focus for this particular deep dive moves away from wideformat to focus on the recently released Roland VersaStudio BY2 20, a compact direct-to-film (DTF) printer designed to deliver consistent, high-quality apparel production for daily use. The hybrid solution combines DTF printing with built-in standalone contour vinyl cutting capabilities and versatile finishes. It acts as a standalone contour cutter to process traditional heat-transfer vinyl, while offering metallic, glitter, and holographic finishes without the need to switch machine. Building on Roland DG’s existing expertise in colour science and print technology, the CMYK + white DTF printer is designed to deliver sharp detail, vivid colour, and repeatable results, supporting a wide range of apparel applications from T-shirts and sportswear to workwear, décor, and accessories. One of the key features of the BY2 20 is its connectivity with the wider Roland DG ecosystem. The press is fully integrated with cloud and browser-based graphics design application, Connect Designer, which provides design tools to help print providers to produce custom artwork. VersaWorks 7, the newest generation of Roland DG’s proprietary RIP software, then prepares designs for print, with data hub and app ecosystem, Roland DG Connect, facilitating monitoring and maintenance. Ultimately, this workflow allows users to focus on producing and selling finished products, rather than managing technology. Nimura adds: “By bringing together hardware, software, inks, media, and support into a single workflow, we’re helping businesses protect their reputation by producing professional quality apparel they can rely on.” The intuitive operation of the BY2 20 makes it well-suited to small production spaces and users new to DTF printing, while still delivering the reliability and output consistency required in professional environments. Engineered for stable day-to-day operation, the system supports continuous production while minimising the hands-on intervention often associated with compact DTF systems. This focus on streamlined operations also extends to the printer’s inks, with refined ink flow, internal temperature control, and large-capacity white ink cartridges supporting predictable performance and stable continuous printing. Automatic white underbase generation also helps to simplify production, particularly in demanding environments such as apparel production print shops where consistency is critical. Ultimately, the BY2 20 aims to prove that industrial grade DTF reliability no longer requires an industrial footprint. The Full Ecosystem Ultimately, today’s hybrid hardware isn’t just about survival in a fickle market – more importantly, it’s about expansion. By stripping away the downtime between rigid and roll-to-roll jobs, manufacturers can provide sign-makers with the freedom to pivot, experiment with unusual substrates, and capture higher-margin work that used to require third-party help. Embracing the hybrid model can allow your print shop to be less boxed-in by hardware limitations, ensuring that whatever unpredictable brief lands on the desk tomorrow, your business is geared up to deliver. ▲Check out this edition’s Under the Hood on page 36, which looks at the HP R series, including hybrid printer, the HP R530 As the DTF market continues to expand with many solutions prioritising low upfront costs over long-term reliability, the BY2 20 is positioned as a professional alternative designed for dependable output and predictable performance. By bringing together advanced print technology, integrated software, and a fully supported ecosystem, it aims to remove much of the complexity associated with DTF printing and help businesses focus on larger-scale growth. Speaking about the solution, Ryugo Nimura, executive officer for the Global Sales and Marketing Division at Roland DG, says: “With the BY2 20, we set out to redefine expectations for compact DTF printing. This is a professional, production ready solution delivering consistent quality, integrated simplicity, and dependable day-to-day performance.” By bringing together hardware, software, inks, media, and support into a single workflow, we’re helping businesses protect their reputation by producing professional quality apparel they can rely on
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