I have used Mimaki JV3, Roland VersaCamm, Mutoh 1304 and Mutoh 1604, in that order. I do like the Mutoh the best so far, and I'll tell you why.
#1, and this may be a silly thing to start off with, but the take up option Mutoh offers is BY FAR the best and most reliable out of all 3. No laser looking for media, no clutch system that needs to be tightened. Just a simple bar that lowers as the media advances until it drops so far, and it takes up the media, simple as that.
#2, The simplicity of the media feed adjust. Load the media, tell it to do the initial page feed adjust, measure it and input the info, and you are done. That's it.
#3, I print A LOT of media, literally whole rolls of 54" media at a shot, and the machine is solid from start to finish. If it gets low on ink, it tells me and I can change them on the fly. No lost print, no lost time (the 1304 will pause when you remove the cart, but continue when the new one is replaced).
If I EVER had to buy a printer, it would most definately be from the Mutoh lineup.
And no, I do not work for Mutoh, just have to give credit where it is due.
Look into servicing options before you buy. Is there tech support close to you and how good are they. Service is a big part to consider when buying.
Hello,
Subject: Mutoh ValueJet vs. Roland and the real story…
1. Productivity
I want a printer to print and a cutter to cut. The Roland can't do both at the same time. The printer can only print as fast as the cutter can cut so you lose the speed of the printer. With 2 separate units (Mutoh and lets say a Graphtec Cutter) you can be cutting a large job while printing the next simultaneously for productivity value and demands.
2. Lamination
Many graphics still need lamination. Decals, Vehicle graphics etc. Once printed the print needs to be pulled out of the printer, laminated and then feed back through the cutter. That requires babysitting. With a Mutoh printer and Graphtec cutter separately you can run all prints unattended and cut at your leisure.
3. Media failures specific to Roland
If you ask any adhesive vinyl media manufacturer they recommend a waiting period between printing and cutting. The solvents need to continue to de-gas for a period of time after printing. If not and you want to print full bleed and you cut immediately you can get edge curl after application. It is a major problem for Roland.
With current discounts print and cut bundles are competitive and as far as comparing printers between Roland and Mutoh, Overall the ValueJets win!
When going up against Roland please explain these differences between the Roland and the ValueJet 1304 54".
I hope this information helps
- The ValueJet includes the take up system and most Rolands do not. That's a $2,000 difference.
- The ValueJet has one state of the art - Epson head and the latest technology with the ability to put down half the size dot than a Roland thus achieving higher quality prints. Also, Roland has 4 print heads making it harder to use and more expensive to service if failure occurs.
- Mutoh has the patented Intelligent Interweave for much reduced banding and Roland doesn't. This equals less media waste and costs for Mutoh.
- The ValueJet is 30% faster in production than the Roland.
- The ValueJet 1304 is the quietest eco solvent printer on the market.
- Mutoh and Roland both have a 2 year onsite warranty at this time.
Thank you.
Hello,
Subject: Mutoh ValueJet vs. Roland and the real story…
1. Productivity
I want a printer to print and a cutter to cut. The Roland can't do both at the same time. The printer can only print as fast as the cutter can cut so you lose the speed of the printer. With 2 separate units (Mutoh and lets say a Graphtec Cutter) you can be cutting a large job while printing the next simultaneously for productivity value and demands.
2. Lamination
Many graphics still need lamination. Decals, Vehicle graphics etc. Once printed the print needs to be pulled out of the printer, laminated and then feed back through the cutter. That requires babysitting. With a Mutoh printer and Graphtec cutter separately you can run all prints unattended and cut at your leisure.
3. Media failures specific to Roland
If you ask any adhesive vinyl media manufacturer they recommend a waiting period between printing and cutting. The solvents need to continue to de-gas for a period of time after printing. If not and you want to print full bleed and you cut immediately you can get edge curl after application. It is a major problem for Roland.
With current discounts print and cut bundles are competitive and as far as comparing printers between Roland and Mutoh, Overall the ValueJets win!
When going up against Roland please explain these differences between the Roland and the ValueJet 1304 54".
I hope this information helps
- The ValueJet includes the take up system and most Rolands do not. That's a $2,000 difference.
- The ValueJet has one state of the art - Epson head and the latest technology with the ability to put down half the size dot than a Roland thus achieving higher quality prints. Also, Roland has 4 print heads making it harder to use and more expensive to service if failure occurs.
- Mutoh has the patented Intelligent Interweave for much reduced banding and Roland doesn't. This equals less media waste and costs for Mutoh.
- The ValueJet is 30% faster in production than the Roland.
- The ValueJet 1304 is the quietest eco solvent printer on the market.
- Mutoh and Roland both have a 2 year onsite warranty at this time.
Thank you.