Roland BD-8 UV Printer: First Impressions & Printing on Lunchbox

[@KarimBenabd]

Subbed! I can’t wait to see more too !!

[@Ira-117]

Completely new to UV printing so I bough this printer to learn, this video is very helpful! Thank you so much, you earned a new subscriber, I hope to see more videos on the bd8 in the future

[@PrintBestie]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you :)

[@briannajazmin7144]

Subbed! I can’t wait to see more 😊 I’ve been searching & searching for a video like this & thankfully you popped up in my recommended

[@PrintBestie]

Glad you made it here!

[@skifisk]

some info I have this printer and i print a lot so here are my thoughts: Before buying this printer beware that the INK cartriges for this printer come only in 220ml! The white color will run out within a month if you print or not. The printer will use around 4-5ml a day for self cleaning. The printer is cleaning itselft before, within and after printing and wastes about 80% of all ink. Unless you print more than half a day you will never catch up with the waste ink used for cleaning so be ready to send 500€ of ink to the drain. A 220 ml color costs 90€ and the white about 60€ .. for the bigger printers this is how much you pay for like 500ml... so the ink in this printer is extremely costly and most of it will be wasted. The other thing I really don´t like is the printer is missing very basic bed positioning buttons on the front. You have to readjust from your pc.. if it´s not next to it and just 5m away be ready to walk a LOT! A single print run if you print 1 item or full A5 will cost you 1-2€ so the print is EXPENSIVE becasue the printer will clean, and even clean again. Per day this printer will waste around 5€ of ink if idle and not used. The printer is Cheaper and has the same print quality is the top tier Roland printers BUIT. The ink cartriges are only 220 ml and will run out fast basically within a month (white) and others max 2 months even if you don´t print. The printer cleans itslef almost all the time.. it´s actually quite annoying. 8 hour cycle but if you print even more. Negatives: No positioning buttons on the front for moving the bed, Only 220ml ink, too much cleaningand most of ink wasted*. Positives: the software is great, Roland color palette! White and Primer cna be controlled separately in versaWorks or in Illustrator, Print quality is TOP, Somwwhat Affordable* I would expect an upgrade to the selfcleaning by some firmware to extend it to 12hours or at least to remove a few within printing cycles. A bigger cartridge would be strongly appreciated (at least 500ml). Especially for white. Tip on how to save ink if you print little: buy a mechanic electric plug timer and only set up the printer to run (give it power) 1,5 hours a day it will do 1 cleaning so you can be away even 2 months.

[@PrintBestie]

Thanks for sharing your experience! I think there are some variables that make it a little different. I've heard that environment also plays a part in it circulating/cleaning a lot. But yes it does seem to clean right before a job if left idle for some time. I've had my machine since late March (about 4 months) and have yet to replace CMYK, though I've put in a new white and primer. I appreciate the tip as well! I've never done that or have thought about using an electric timer so it sounds like an interesting work around.

[@skifisk]

@@PrintBestie I just printed 400 pens I made the stats 21 print cycles and 7 major cleans so every 3 times you print it will do a major clean.. so from 90€ worth of "profit" wasted ink cuts about 25-30€ .. so this was the last time I printed pens on this one (18 at a time). Can only use the printer on high value small items and print as many as possible becasue it does not matter if your print uses 0,01ml or 3,5ml of ink per print the 3rd clean cycle will waste 2+ml and the little cleans I think 0,7 per clean so a lot of ink maybe 5% will be used to generate just 90€ for pens. So fdefinitely not worth it.. 1ml of ink costs around 0,5€ (5% of all ink is 50ml = 25€) I had to replace white ink already 3weeks after purchase.. I guess I print more =) Primer also. Primer is only there to add profit for EPSON .. 95% wasted as I barely need it for any print so I just wste all of it...

[@skifisk]

UPDATE: buy 750 ml Roland UV cartridges to refill the used 220 ml cartridges with a ball needlle .. you just need to transfer the ink form the 750ml cartridge to the 220ml .. the 750ml costs 110€ the 220ml costs 90€ ... you can save 200% on the ink! This is typical scam from printer makers to suck moeny from you when buying a "low cost" printer which in the end will cost you more thanthe high end printer becasue the cleaning cycle goes every 4th cycle and 80-90% of all your ink will be WASTED in cleaning so 400€gone every cartridge change and the more you print the more they earn and the more you lose! Aftera few month I do not recommend this printer or any other prointer from ROLAND due to this fact alone. 80% of ink ends in waste and there is nothing you can do .. I am already looking at a replacement from Mutoh.

[@foodhead4677]

​@@skifiskmutoh is trash from what I've seen

[@mylenevandenberg2841]

Great video. Just what I needed. I've seen mixed info online about the max height of an object - do you know what the max height is? Thx

[@PrintBestie]

Thanks! It should be 4 inches max and if you use a rotary rack it takes up space so the cylindrical item is limited to something like 2 inches according to the info on the website. I haven't tried it out myself yet but hopefully soon!

[@lllpearlslll]

Nice video thanks ! I would like to know if it prints on mirror , shinny metal, rubber items like rubber bracelets or rubber slippers or erasers, and does it print on 3D printed objects ? And is it scratch resistant for these materials ? Thanx again

[@PrintBestie]

I have not printed on any of those and it makes me look forward to trying all of them out! UV ink is pretty scratch resistant, it's like a hard coated ink. I think it will crack though if printed on something that can bend such as a rubber slipper. But likely I will be trying all these and sharing the results!

[@melnakabayashi2712]

Is this a good machine for a beginner mostly DIY with tiny Etsy shop?

[@PrintBestie]

i would say so! it is on the pricey side but its so low maintenance so there is a lot less worry with whether you are cleaning it etc. i think its fairly user friendly if you have video guidance to start :)

[@melnakabayashi2712]

@@PrintBestie thank you 😊

[@UnderwaterMaryland]

My concern is that you have one chance to get it right. Printing on a transfer gives you multiple chances to get sizing, colors etc correct.

[@PrintBestie]

this is true! Roland does sell some uv dtf sheets that you can print on but it needs to be cut down to fit this print bed specifically.

[@Mr_Chuckles]

Do you have to run it every day to keep it flowing smoothly? That's always been my major gripe with these printers, very high maintenance...

[@blakerobinson257]

Following. Curious to this as well

[@PrintBestie]

I don't run it everyday. I was away for 5 days and it printed just fine when I got back. I would just recommend pulling out the white cartridge and giving it a shake once in a while.

[@Mr_Chuckles]

I had a Chinese UV printer and that did have to be used daily. The culprit is always the white, it doesn't just settle in the cartridge but in the lines too. And clogs up the head. I don't know why they don't keep white on a separate system and have it form a closed loop when the head is parked, it could then just circulate automatically every couple of hours. My BN20 does this in a way, it cleans the head every 4-6 hours. Wasteful of course, but it beats having to replace a head!

[@PrintBestie]

@@Mr_Chuckles I totally understand! I bought a used dtg printer and it was the same story. even had to teach someone what to do while we were away. I'm glad there are improvements to new machines in general. and you're right, I would also pay for ink vs a dried and damaged head or having someone come to baby sit the machine while we're away

[@skifisk]

I sum it for you here: Before buying this printer beware that the INK cartriges for this printer come only in 220ml! The white color will run out within a month if you print or not. The printer will use around 4-5ml a day for self cleaning. The printer is cleaning itselft before, within and after printing and wastes about 80% of all ink. Unless you print more than half a day you will never catch up with the waste ink used for cleaning so be ready to send 500€ of ink to the drain. A 220 ml color costs 90€ and the white about 60€ .. for the bigger printers this is how much you pay for like 500ml... so the ink in this printer is extremely costly and most of it will be wasted. The other thing I really don´t like is the printer is missing very basic bed positioning buttons on the front. You have to readjust from your pc.. if it´s not next to it and just 5m away be ready to walk a LOT! A single print run if you print 1 item or full A5 will cost you 1-2€ so the print is EXPENSIVE becasue the printer will clean, and even clean again. Per day this printer will waste around 5€ of ink if idle and not used. The printer is Cheaper and has the same print quality is the top tier Roland printers BUIT. The ink cartriges are only 220 ml and will run out fast basically within a month (white) and others max 2 months even if you don´t print. The printer cleans itslef almost all the time.. it´s actually quite annoying. 8 hour cycle but if you print even more. Negatives: No positioning buttons on the front for moving the bed, Only 220ml ink, too much cleaningand most of ink wasted*. Positives: the software is great, Roland color palette! White and Primer cna be controlled separately in versaWorks or in Illustrator, Print quality is TOP, Somwwhat Affordable* I would expect an upgrade to the selfcleaning by some firmware to extend it to 12hours or at least to remove a few within printing cycles. A bigger cartridge would be strongly appreciated (at least 500ml). Especially for white.

[@philrodenbeck6424]

I’m curious about using one of these for low volumes of watch dials, but the alignment of the print area with the dial blank would need to be pretty precise. Is there any alignment method beyond eyeballing it with the laser?

[@PrintBestie]

For that I would get a jig built that holds the dials. That way you'll get much more accuracy and you can do multiple at once if you need to

[@philrodenbeck6424]

@@PrintBestie thank you so much for the helpful reply!

[@Mr_Chuckles]

​ @PrintBestie Along those lines, is the table steel ie. could one use magnets to affix the jig? If not you could prob put a magnetic-friendly plate there and then affix items as well (eg. your lunch box could put strong magnets inside)

[@blakerobinson257]

Can you do multiple items on the print bed if all fits under 8 inches?? Or only 1 at a time?

[@PrintBestie]

You can definitely print more than one at a time :) I usually print a template of the copies so I know where to position the multiple objects.

[@doni082]

What is the print head type in the BD-8 printer? Is it still use epson print head similar to the old model?

[@PrintBestie]

Hello, I'm sorry I actually don't know what the print head type is and not sure where to find that info

[@snakebite210]

Commented for AL Gore's Rhythm

[@k-12clothing23]

Looks great and seems like it’s well made but because of the size, it doesn’t seem like it’s made for production. Maybe a tiny Etsy shop at best. Am I right?

[@PrintBestie]

I wouldn't consider it high production - but maybe so if you're printing on a lot of small objects

[@k-12clothing23]

Thanks.

[@ikku07]

Rotary possible?

[@PrintBestie]

@@ikku07 yes but it eats into the space so your cylindrical object max is around 2in

[@andrew-i1l3k]

hi what program do you use for this printer is this photoshop you use ?

[@PrintBestie]

Hi, yes you can use Photoshop or Illustrator. Any program that you're able to save a .PDF file will work for printing.

[@andrew-i1l3k]

@@PrintBestie ok perfect caues since this printer is so expensive i want to makesure before i buy it

[@skifisk]

@@andrew-i1l3k use only illustrator for best quality in roland color palette, this printer must print daily and must be always plugged in , it will waste about 5ml of ink per day to maintain itself = 5-10€ gone if oyu print or not. Color ink costs 90€ (need 4) Primer is 90€ white is 60€ .. white ink lasts 1 month if you print or not.. it will 80% go to waste with cleaning. This printer is not for hobby it´s for a small printhouse that has daily work for it. Comapred to chinese A4 printers this is probably 100x more expensive printing +4x more expensive printer but 10x better quality.

[@kamildabkowski6271]

hi im thinking about getting one but cos im not really good with computers im not sure if its for me ?? is there any book for dummies or something similar for people thats really dont have a clue how to operate one but really want to get into printing please?

[@PrintBestie]

Hello, there's two parts two it - learning the machine but also learning a design software like Illustrator or something similar. There are a lot of video resources where you can learn. Are you looking to learn the specific printer or digital printing in general?

[@kamildabkowski6271]

@@PrintBestie I’m actually buying BD-8 tomorrow,no idea how to use it but I’m really determined to learn,yes I’ve seen your little clip on KZbin but I probably need some more step by step how to actually print some on it

[@PrintBestie]

@@kamildabkowski6271 Gotcha! I will work on making some more in depth videos :)

[@kamildabkowski6271]

@@PrintBestie thank you I would really appreciate it

[@yodazhang69]

How scratch-resistant is the finished print?

[@PrintBestie]

I think it depends on the surface that's being printed on. Is there a specific surface you want to know about? I know that some don't work as well as others but wiping it with an adhesion promoter can help.

[@yodazhang69]

@@PrintBestie Basically wood (mdf) or acrylic.

[@rosemariegonzales8720]

Will it work with a Mac?

[@PrintBestie]

no :( I primarily use my Mac and then google drive my files and print from pc

[@imadsyed6417]

Hi how r u how do i get roland product for only lease for one month .Do u know kwow any who is selling used.

[@PrintBestie]

Hi I don't know about leasing for 1 month - but I am from USA. I think some countries might be offering that though.

[@undeuxtrois123]

How much does it cost ?

[@joditrovato9348]

Nine grand

[@PrintBestie]

the msrp in usa is $9,995

[@maxtipex]

Price ?

[@FireFoxxy]

10 grand plus a little over a grand for the roller attachment.

[@PrintBestie]

thanks!

[@skifisk]

@@PrintBestie expect to cost another 600€on ink per replacement of which 400€ or 80-90% ends up in waste. You can buy cheaper 750ml UV cartridges and refill the 220ml by using special needles. You can save 800€ per refill this way! I calculated that if you print a lot this printer will waste around 5000€ ink a year = half it´s value = all that money goes to Roland. After a few month I would reccoment to invest that additional money into a Mutoh printer that is refillable etc... not reccomend this money burner.