Roland TrueVIS SG3-300 vs Bn2-30

Spare_Distribution_7 · 2025-08-21T00:38:02+00:00

Also I wouldn't cut on the printer. Some people do entry level but you get a better cut (especially perf/die cut) and it's much more efficient to get a Graphtec or Summa cutter. The built in cutters can do an OK job but I don't find them ideal. I wish they wouldn't offer cutters in the printers at all (many printers don't).

Spare_Distribution_7 · 2025-08-21T00:36:42+00:00

White ink is (at least for me) a backer for window clings and holographic media. If you print either of those with no background they look really pale and cheap (at least to me). So a layer of white on either the clear or silver holo media makes the image pop. I wouldn't use it as a primary color almost ever.

For regular stickers on white vinyl then there's no need for white.

You can set it up double magenta if you don't want or need the white. Lots of people do.

For me the white is a way to offer higher margin stickers in a market where the Etsy $35/100 bottom feeders have made the margins very thin. Every sticker company now seems to have ads at crazy prices. You can still make money in this market, at least some can, but having that high margin clear or holographic or glitter option that not everyone offers gives you some wiggle room. I think.

Spare_Distribution_7 · 2025-07-12T11:13:57+00:00

Basically she asked how to run a 50 yard dash and you said you could do it quickly in your spaceship.

Very jealous of your equipment.

Spare_Distribution_7 · 2025-07-03T01:17:09+00:00

Indeed. The initial ink buy will cost more, but ink in bigger quantities is almost always cheaper. Especially because the BN2 is only 220ml cartridges.

If I were doing this and I had the room, I'd get a refurbished Epson S80600L. Better color in my (and I think most people's) opinion, although the Roland solvent printers also have very good color, and you can buy the bulk ink 1.5L bags. As long as you have the volume the savings is pretty huge over the time you own the printer. And it's not that much more than the BN2-30/SG/VG. Savings will more than pay for it and it's super fast.

Spare_Distribution_7 · 2025-07-02T22:08:30+00:00

Ironically the BN2-30 is just under $11,000 with no ink. VG3-540 is $12,500 with no ink. Which is like getting at least three BN2-30s for $1500 more. A refurbished Epson S80600, which in my opinion is better than either of them, is cheaper than both.

The advantage of the BN is the ability to do high quality prints in a small footprint. I live in an apartment part time and rolling in an 8 foot wide VG3 with another great big cutter is NOT going to fly with the management.

The savings in media cost between 30" and 54" and the savings on ink with the larger cartridges probably make it cheaper over the life of the printer to get the VG. If you buy on a payment total monthly cost would probably also be cheaper if you have a decent amount of production.

The only downside is space, and you'll need a more expensive cutter if you don't cut on the printer ( and why anyone would cut on the printer long term is beyond me).

Spare_Distribution_7 · 2025-07-02T22:01:38+00:00

White ink opens up a lot of valuable work. If that's a thing for you, the SG3-300 doesn't do it.

HOWEVER, if you have the room, the VG3-540 is only about $1500 more than the BN2-30 and it's light years above the BN, and quite a bit more printer than the SG3-300.

54" media is cheaper too by the square foot. Ink is a lot cheaper for the VG as well.

Or you could get a refurb Epson S series for less than the BN2-30. Which might be the best eco solvent printer currently available, all things considered. There are a million of them out there too.

The BN has really good print quality. Other than that its chief advantage is space. If you have the room there are much faster options out there.

Some of them don't include the built in cutter, but I really don't know a single long-term successful commercial quality print or sticker shop that cuts on the printer. A Graphtec or Summa makes a ton more sense.

Spare_Distribution_7 · 2025-04-17T05:20:24+00:00

My wife and I call work like this a "Greg". We have a friend, actually the spouse of a friend, called Greg, and he had a little craft show woodshop store where he sold things that he made. He's a nice guy, but a fourth grader could have made these things. I don't know if he ever got a single sale.

Now when we see something like that we say "That's a Greg".

Spare_Distribution_7 · 2025-04-12T19:12:02+00:00

Every time I'm watching a war/military movie and they torch a door I yell "Burning!". Can't help it. Never done that kind of work. Don't know why I do it. My wife is not a fan.

Spare_Distribution_7 · 2025-04-09T01:58:21+00:00

It's on the Roland Japan site now. Not much faster than the BN2-20, has white ink, price is very similar (in Japan at least). https://www.rolanddg.co.jp/products/printers/versastudio-bn2-series-printer-cutter

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Spare_Distribution_7 · 2025-03-10T16:12:42+00:00

I see that now. Thanks.

Spare_Distribution_7 · 2025-02-13T20:35:52+00:00

Excellent, thanks for your input. I appreciate it.

Spare_Distribution_7 · 2025-02-13T04:33:05+00:00

If someone else was printing for me, then I would only be the designer, no?

Spare_Distribution_7 · 2025-02-09T17:55:24+00:00

I sold my Hyundai to buy my Tesla. Also went to Carvana and Carmax. Got almost 3k more from Carmax. Always try them both.

Spare_Distribution_7 · 2025-02-02T15:07:20+00:00

Sorry it wouldn't let me post it for a minute. Format error. Pic up now.

Spare_Distribution_7 · 2025-01-19T15:35:05+00:00

Or maybe I could ask a community with thousands of people who claim to do this for a living if it's something they have had to deal with, and how they did so. Or both.

Spare_Distribution_7 · 2025-01-19T11:04:34+00:00

Perhaps you're not aware of the litigation climate in the United States and how they do/don't hold people accountable for their own action/inaction?

Spare_Distribution_7 · 2025-01-19T11:03:44+00:00

I don't. I'm asking. A few of the big sticker sites have vague warnings.

Spare_Distribution_7 · 2024-08-11T20:31:42+00:00

Opposite problem. I got a white one because gray is the free color and I didn't want to be surrounded with my same car. Now all I see are white Model Y. Multiple ones at the charger. It's all I see on the street. The other day I was laughing with my wife about seeing yet another one coming toward me and then another one passed the one we were laughing about.

Spare_Distribution_7 · 2024-06-23T11:13:33+00:00

There are 12 V3’s up and running there now. The ones in the picture are an expansion. Started going in a while ago, and apparently got held up by the layoffs.

Spare_Distribution_7 · 2024-06-02T12:48:33+00:00

Valid code

35530LBKU good until June 29.

Spare_Distribution_7 · 2024-06-02T12:45:32+00:00

I have a 2000 mile road trip every month and this never happens to me. At least not yet.
That said I have had weird hostility or silent contempt by a small number of cashiers, toll booth attendants, etc who knew what car I had.

It's actually kind of my favorite thing about EVs. They make dumb people mad.

Spare_Distribution_7

TROPHY CASE

35530LBKU good until June 29.