Review of the BN20a: The Perfect Tool for Small Printing Businesses?
Getting the right kind of printer is integral to succeeding as a printing business. You don’t want to splurge on something too expensive and get drowned in debt, but you also don’t want to be stingy and buy low-quality equipment. It’s all about striking the balance — something that we found with the Roland BN-20A printer from ColDesi. Is it the ideal printer for small businesses and home-based operations? Read our review and see for yourself!
About the BN-20a
The Roland BN-20a may seem unassuming at first. It looks just like its predecessor, the Roland BN-20. This product is a 20” print-and-cut machine that takes advantage of eco-solvent inks. It’s a true beauty — a larger version of a cutter that most people use to make labels and stickers. However, we found that the Roland BN-20a does everything better than your typical run-of-the-mill hobby cutters.
For one, this printer is much faster than the BN-20. Even though the white and metallic ink cartridge is no longer there, we still were able to print crisp and vibrant images. Best of all, the set-up and installation for both the printer and software were seamless. Even those who only have a rudimentary idea of printers will know how to use the BN-20a.
BN-20 VS BN-20a: Key Differences
Before diving into the features that we think make the BN-20a such a great investment, we want to compare it side by side with its predecessor. That way, you’d know the key differences that may affect how you work and print your products. You’ll get our Review of the Roland BN20.
BN-20
- Printing Method: Piezoelectric inkjet
- Cutting Method: Grit roller feed
- Dimensions: 39.2 in x 23 in x 11.5 in
- Printing Resolution: Max 1440 DPI
- Cartridges: 5 (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, White/Metallics)
- Speed: 6.6 square feet per hour
BN-20a
- Printing Method: Piezoelectric inkjet
- Cutting Method: Grit roller feed
- Dimensions: 39.2 in x 23 in x 11.5 in
- Printing Resolution: Max 1440 DPI
- Cartridges: 4 (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black)
- Speed: 22.6 square feet per hour
At a glance, the most mind-blowing difference between the BN-20 and BN-20a is the speed. We saw an almost four-time increase in printing speed with no significant difference in quality. The BN-20a’s maximum speed is not something you’d need daily, but it’s a significant advantage in case you get large orders. Faster turnaround means happier customers!
Another significant difference is the number of cartridges on either printer. The BN-20a has only four. According to ColDesi, this reduction is highly intentional because the BN-20a is built for what a small business needs to do, and not the possibilities. You won’t need to invest a high amount for a feature you won’t really use. Now that’s practical!
And then What about the Roland BN20D I just heard about?
The Roland BN20D DTF Printer is a powerful and reliable direct-to-film printer that offers superior image quality and detail. With a maximum print resolution of up to 1,440 dpi, the BN20-D provides sharp images with vibrant colors and fine text. It also features an easy-to-use four step process for creating custom t-shirts and other apparel without the need for weeding or masking.
The printer is compatible with S-PG direct transfer inks and S-POWDER direct transfer powder, making it an ideal choice for professional printing applications. Additionally, the manufacturer offers comprehensive support services to ensure customers get the most out of their purchase from our Review of the Roland BN20.
Overall, the Roland BN20D DTF Printer is an excellent choice for those looking for a high quality and reliable direct-to-film printer. Its superior image quality and ease of use make it a great option for both amateur and professional printing applications.
What We Liked: The Printer’s Exceptional Features
Now that you know the basic features of the BN-20a, let’s dive into the features and functionalities that truly make this printer a worth-it purchase for small businesses, start-ups, and hobbyists.
20” Rolls of Vinyl for Some Serious Printing
It may not seem like much, but the 20-inch rolls are super convenient. With more basic vinyl cutter printers, you have to feed them sheet after sheet, so they can continue printing. It’s almost like you’re babysitting the printer itself and making sure that it keeps doing what it’s supposed to do. The time you spent looking after your printer could be used for more productive tasks.
Thankfully, the BN-20a removes this issue with its long vinyl rolls. You won’t need to stay by the printer to ensure that everything is coming out right. You’ll only have to refill every now and then!
Fast Printing That Rivals Industrial Printers
Whether you’re a sign-making business or a small custom T-shirt company, there will be those days when you can’t keep up with the demand. Your small-scale printer and cutter are simply too slow to deliver, leading to customer dissatisfaction. That won’t be an issue with the BN-20a.
As the specifications mentioned, this product has a maximum printing speed of 22.6 square feet per hour. This speed is already close to some of the more heavy-duty printers. During testing, we were able to reach this speed with simpler designs. However, the BN-20a is still miles faster (literally) than the BN-20 even with more complex designs. This speed will be a blessing when you have a large order and a tight deadline.
Quality Prints That Impress Even the Most Discerning Eyes
You can sacrifice speed and convenience, but never the quality of your prints. If the colors are dull and the alignments are off, even your most loyal customers will say goodbye. They want something that looks good, so make sure that you’re offering prints that do look good.
Thankfully, you can never go with the Roland brand. They’ve been producing quality printers for many years, and it shows on the BN-20a’s outputs. We were mesmerized by the stunning graphics and vibrant hues, but these results are not really surprising considering the 1440 DPI prints. With the gorgeous graphics, you’d have something you can proudly put on storefront windows, stick on product containers, and wear on T-shirts.
Print and Cut in a Single Operation
One of the most convenient features we loved on the BN-20a is how it can print and cut effortlessly. We were able to print out the design, laminate it, then put it back into the BN-20a for cutting. It was so seamless and accurate! Those who need to make custom apparel and wall graphics will find this process a game-changer. There are no worries about the cutting process, too. Instead of solenoid and voltage to control cuts, the BN-20a takes advantage of a motor and bearing system that results in more precise and consistent cuts!
Intuitive Software That Everyone Can Use
Perhaps the one factor that could make or break your experience with a printer is the software. Having one that isn’t intuitive makes printing a chore, and you could even make expensive errors that lead to delays and loss in profit. Well, you won’t have to worry about these issues with the BN-20a.
We found that the printer uses VersaWorks 6, the same program that most Roland VersaStudio printers use. This software has a modern and easy-to-use interface that allows us to effortlessly control print quality, layout, color, and many other elements. Even if you don’t have much experience with printing software, you’ll find the VersaWorks 6 easy to work with.
Drawbacks You Might Want to Consider
Overall, we enjoyed using and doing a review of the roland BN20 and BN-20a. The printer is packed with functionalities and features that allow us to print and cut beautiful designs — all within a short time frame. Still, no two businesses have the same needs. You might find the BN-20a as the ideal partner for your printing needs, while the next business will find its features too limited. To help you decide, we’ve included some drawbacks you’d want to take into account before investing in the product.
Lack of Cartridge for White and Metallics
As we mentioned before, the BN-20a is made for what a business needs to do, not the possibilities. Still, there may come a time when CMYK may not be enough. You’ll need white ink or a metallic color because your customer requested it. Unfortunately, you’ll have to refuse the request — unless you have another printer lying around that has white and metallic cartridges, like the BN-20.
The reduction in available cartridges is a small sacrifice, in our opinion. Let’s be realistic: how often would customers need glittery designs? Even better, fewer cartridges also mean less maintenance work.
Printer Might Still Be Too Slow for Heavy-Duty Printing
BN-20a’s speed is plenty enough already for a small printing business’s needs. However, the rate may still be too slow for companies that need to print hundreds of designs an hour. You might be better off investing in a bigger printer if you’re printing at this scale.
Pricing Options
The BN-20a on its own is available at only $5,295, which is much less compared to the BN-20 at $6,797. The savings alone was enough to convince us that the BN-20a is the most cost-effective solution for a small business’s needs.
ColDesi also offers other pricing packages to give you as many options as possible. The BASIC package includes the machine, inks, software, and even training and support. That’s already a lot, in our opinion. You can get even more with the Essential and Professional packages.
The Final Verdict
We can only give praise to the Roland BN-20a from ColDesi. While testing the product, we enjoyed the compact design, high-quality prints, speedy operation, and so many other features. Small businesses that need a cost-effective option for custom apparel, stickers, and labels can depend on this product.
Our verdict? After our Review of the Roland BN20, the Roland BN-20a is a must-have item! It’s a worth-it investment that will provide significant returns in the long run. Order yours now!
