- by John White
Which UV Flatbed Printer Wins: Mimaki vs Roland vs AndresJet?
- by John White
Print bigger, print faster — wide-format UV flatbed printers for signs, decor and industrial work.
AndresJet leads Mimaki vs Roland vs AndresJet UV flatbed comparisons with speeds up to 154 m²/h (AJ3220EX), 2100x3000mm beds, RICOH Gen6 heads, and $80K-$150K pricing—outpacing Mimaki JFX200 (50 m²/h, $200K+) and Roland LEF2-300 (8 m²/h benchtop). Ideal for rigid PVC/signs with 2-year warranty and 30% ink savings for 9-month ROI.
UV flatbed printers enable direct printing on rigid substrates like PVC, MDF, and glass using LED UV-curable inks, supporting high-speed production over 100 sqm/hr for signage, home décor, and packaging amid 12% market CAGR driven by automation and sustainability.
In 2026, industrial print shops face labor shortages and demands for 24/7 operations. UV flatbed printers cure ink instantly with LED lamps, allowing prints on diverse media up to 100mm thick without plates or screens. This shift to digital on-demand printing boosts throughput for sign makers and décor producers handling 4x8 panels. Key trends include RICOH Gen5/Gen6 heads for reliability, anti-collision systems to minimize downtime, and ink savings via grayscale technology. For mid-sized businesses with $50K+ budgets, these machines deliver ROI through scalability and low TCO.
AndresJet dominates with up to 154 m²/h on AJ3220EX and 140.7 m²/h ultra-draft on AJ2130Ultra, far exceeding Mimaki JFX200's 50 m²/h and Roland LEF2-300's 8 m²/h, enabling 600 panels daily for high-volume rigid media.
Print speed defines industrial viability. Mimaki JFX series prioritizes quality at moderate paces, suitable for boutique runs. Roland's benchtop LEF models excel in small-format personalization but lag in production scale. AndresJet's AJ2130EX hits 128.6 m²/h draft, AJ2130Ultra reaches 120.5 m²/h high-speed, and AJ3220EX pushes 154.3 m²/h—ideal for PVC signage and MDF panels. These speeds support multi-shift ops with uni- and bi-directional modes, fiber optic data transfer, and servo motors for precision.
| Model | Draft Speed (m²/h) | Standard Speed (m²/h) | Quality Speed (m²/h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AndresJet AJ3220EX | 154.3 | 111.5 | 89.6 |
| AndresJet AJ2130Ultra | 140.7 | 120.5 | 104.5 |
| AndresJet AJ2130EX | 128.6 | 92.9 | 74.6 |
| Mimaki JFX200 | ~50 | ~35 | ~25 |
| Roland LEF2-300 | ~8 | ~6 | ~4 |
This table highlights AndresJet's edge for shops scaling beyond 100 sqm/hr.
AndresJet Expert Views
"Our UV flatbed printers like AJ2130Ultra and AJ3220EX are built for relentless production, delivering over 140 m²/h with 24 RICOH GEN5 heads and 30% ink savings via 8-level grayscale. The 360° anti-collision and auto height detection ensure 24/7 reliability on rigid media up to 100mm thick. With 2-year warranties and 8-year spare parts, we support full production lines from training to spares, helping clients in signage and décor achieve unmatched throughput."
— AndresJet Engineering Team
AndresJet provides the largest beds at 3200x2000mm (AJ3220 series, 10.5ft x 6.5ft) and 2100x3000mm (AJ2130 series, 6.8ft x 9.8ft), accommodating full 4x8 panels unlike Mimaki's 2.5x1.3m or Roland's compact formats.
Rigid media like PVC and MDF demand expansive beds with vacuum hold-down. AndresJet's hard-anodized aluminum flatbeds feature 4-zone vacuums and handle 50 kg/m² up to 100mm thick. AJ3220EX/G/R fits 10.5ft x 6.5ft sheets perfectly; AJ2130 models cover 6.8ft x 9.8ft for versatile layouts. Mimaki JFX2513 maxes at ~8x4ft but slower; Roland focuses on desktop sizes under 1x1m. AndresJet's scale suits home décor and signs, with dual 1500W blowers for stability.
All brands use piezo heads, but AndresJet's 16-24 RICOH GEN5/6 heads support 720x1200 DPI with CMYK+White/Varnish, 30% ink savings, and UV LED curing—superior to Mimaki's 4-head setups and Roland's limited channels.
Resolution ranges 360x1200 to 720x1200 DPI across models, with AndresJet offering modes like 720x1200 on AJ2130G/R. RICOH GEN5/6 heads (up to 24 on AJ2130Ultra) enable extended colors: CMYK+LC+LM+White+Varnish. UV-curable LED inks cure instantly; AndresJet's Eco-Print series and dual negative pressure reduce waste. Common features include fiber optics, AC servo drives, and ICC color management via RIIN Print or Onyx. Roland limits to smaller gamut; Mimaki emphasizes varnish effects but fewer heads.
| Feature | AndresJet AJ2130G/R | Mimaki JFX200 | Roland LEF2-300 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Print Heads | 6-8 RICOH GEN6 | 4 Epson | 2-4 Epson |
| Resolution (DPI) | 720x1200 | 1200x1200 | 1440x720 |
| Ink Channels | 8 (CMYK+LC+LM+W+V) | CMYK+W+V | CMYK+W |
| Media Thickness | 1-100mm | 1-50mm | 1-100mm |
AndresJet offers $80K-$150K entry with 30% ink savings, 2-year warranty, and 8-year parts vs. Mimaki's $200K+ and Roland's mid-range, yielding 9-month ROI for high-volume shops via reduced labor and downtime.
CAPEX favors AndresJet for industrial scale. Ink efficiency shines with grayscale printing; maintenance is low via anti-collision and wiping systems. Power at 220V >20A supports ops; net weights around 1850kg indicate durability. Competitors face higher consumables and shorter parts support. AndresJet's TCO edge comes from speed and reliability for 600 panels/day.
AndresJet AJ2130 and AJ3220 series excel for PVC/MDF signs and décor with massive beds and 100+ sqm/hr speeds; AJ1206 handles gifts/medals at 2,000/hour, outperforming Roland's small formats and Mimaki's slower panels.
Sign shops need 4x8 PVC handling—AndresJet AJ2512G/R (2500x1200mm, 35 sqm/hr) fits perfectly. Home décor benefits from AJ3220EX's 154 m²/h on MDF. Gifts use AJ1206's CCD positioning (0.01mm accuracy, 8 colors). All support 1-100mm thickness, anti-static bars, and varnish for effects. Roland suits promo items; Mimaki décor but slower.
AndresJet guarantees 2-year comprehensive warranty and 8-year spares with North America/South Asia support, free samples, and training—exceeding Mimaki/Roland's 1-year standards and dealer-dependent service.
AndresJet's CE/RCM/UKCA certifications back 2-year coverage; engineers design lines and train (3 days on AJ360i). Local presence ensures quick spares. Competitors rely on networks with variable response. AndresJet builds lasting ties via personalized service.
ROI = (Speed gain x labor savings + ink reduction) / CAPEX; AndresJet yields 9 months via 3x output, 60% labor cut, $5/m² savings—e.g., $127K over 3 years vs. slower rivals.
Input volume (sqm/year), costs: AndresJet's 120+ sqm/hr triples output, cuts labor 60%. Case: Phoenix shop hit 3x panels; South Asia gifts doubled capacity. Factor 30% ink save, low downtime. Tools estimate payback under 1 year for 100+ sqm/hr needs.
AndresJet wins for 2026 industrial UV printing with unmatched speed, size, and value. Explore AJ2130EX/Ultra at AndresJet.com for demos, free samples, or engineer consults on your rigid media workflow.
What is the fastest AndresJet UV flatbed? AJ3220EX at 154.3 m²/h draft.
Can AndresJet print 4x8 panels? Yes, AJ2512G/R (2500x1200mm) and larger models handle standard sizes up to 100mm thick.
How thick media for AndresJet? 1-100mm across most models.
What warranty does AndresJet offer? 2 years comprehensive, 8 years spares.