Watch this before buying a budget UV printer from China (or anywhere for that matter)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ธ.ค. 2019
- eBay and Alibaba are full of UV Printers based on the Epson DX5 or 1390 print head. With an A3 or A4 form factor and a sub $4000 price tag including AcroRIP software, this promises to be a cheap UV Printer option. However is it? This particular printer is branded as "ACHI", but there are other brands of the same physical printer such as "EraSmart" etc.
Please watch and give me your own opinions below. - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
Few Things here,
-Regardless of brand most UV printers are a headache to maintain. There are specific steps that one must take to keep the printer in a running condition, over the weekend we drain all the tubes/line including waste ink lines, flush the print heads and dampers.
- Software, modified epson printers use ACROrip as default software, named brands use more higher end softwares with better support. Furthermore Acrorip can not be downloaded, it must be purchased from authorised dealers only and customers are given 6 months update ONLY. I think you have to pay extra if you want any further updates. As a business one must use legit software.
- Print quality: There are several reasons for having bad quality prints, from resolution to ink saturation levels to distance between print head and printing surface, it takes some time to get perfect prints. There is a bit of learning curve involved here, even with our Mimaki flatbed, the learning curve was a bit steep but compared to these modified ones it was relatively easier because of the the training and trouble shooting provided by the manufacturer. We do replace our printheads roughly every 5 to 6 months, even after such vigorous maintenance, so brand makes no difference.
- There are 3 types of machines you can choose from when buying from China, Top Tier, Mid tier and low tier. Your machine is based on R2000, so it is most likely mid tier machine. It should come with auto levelling mechanism, including collision avoidance systems and auto cleaning and circulation for white inks. Since you didnt talk about that, I am assuming may be those functions were missing.
- All inks stink, even with higher end suction pumps and closed ink systems, having a well ventilated area is a must for both UV and Ecosolvent ink jets.
In conclusion, I am not gonna look down on Chinese low cost printers, you are getting what you pay for. I know several businesses using those printers and getting great results, but it took time and effort. Your life wont be any different even if you decided to buy a 30k UV printer, it will still make you pull your hairs from time to time, just make sure you are aware of what you are getting yourself into.
It is always good to read meaningful comments like this one.
is there a few higher end models you could recommend, looking to buy my first one and need some guidance :) thanks in advance!
@@eclipsedigi well... it's not "higher" or "lower". they 're mostly the same, except of some details. seriously, there is only one thing you should keep in mind except of price (it must not be too low) - a printing head. all of the mid-end and low-end printers past several years till now (2023) has two heads - epson xp600 and tx800. and... it's totally shit, that you have to replace every 3-6 month. good news - it's a really chip shit at about 200-250usd and you need only 1 for 4 colors, 1 for white and optionally, 1 for varnish))
good and not much expensive heads (you should ask your supplier) - are, for example, ricoh gen4, and much better toshiba ce4m. for sure, you will not find these heads in a4-a3 printers... maybe from 60*90cm, if you lucky...?))
most of disadvantages in video - are fair enough for all uv. except of stink - original uv inks from roland and mimaki stinks much lower. but cost of machines and inks too high, at least 10 times from chinese ones.
btw, i'd better prefer to hire some person, which would smell this for money and future cancer, instead of doing such work by myself...
do you know if we can use any other program other than ACRO rip?
@7BlackOx I am really impressed by your comment, which highlighted few points I wasn't aware of. I am new to this type of technology and due to sp😮ecific business requirements I was about to buy chineese mid level printer at 3K. Now I stopped and think - may be better not. I will print once a week or twice and the rest of time need to be slave and keep cleaning. And that ink - is really that cancerous? I had some serious thoughts on it. Thank you again for your post.
Those "trojants" might not be "trojans" at all, there is such a thing as heuristic based detection, that flags software as suspicious if it uses certain OS api's, and it is often wrong. "Occamy" is one of the generic names for heuristic detection. So they might not be lying to you after all. I mean I had antiviruses detect my own writting programs as "Occamy" and such, which I for sure know is not trojans/viruses because I have written it.
Very well said, this has been my experiance as well.
Lots of cracked/cracking software has this problem. OTOH, if one were to engage in industrial espionage, this might be an excellent cover.
@@ronnetgrazer362 if you have a problem with software just buy the original acurip11 is only £320 +vat tot £408 works on every software from win 7 to 11 if you are paying £4000+ for the printer £408 is nothing
Hello, maybe you are new to uv printer world. I have a chinese uv flatbed printer (modified from epson printer) and japan uv flatbed printer for 5 years now. The 5 bad points you're listed are the common trouble for all uv flatbed printers. The printers are big and super heavy, especially large format uv flatbed printer. Trial andd error is a yes for all kind of printers, especially when you try a new material to print. Every printers with white ink usually have a high maintenance requirements, like uv flatbed printers, uv roll to roll printers and DTG printers. you need to clean the carriage area after a day print and soal the print head in cleaning liquid. You need to use the printers almost every day to ensure the ink don't clog the ink tube, especially the white ink. The cleaning process is quite messy for first time but I sure you will get used to the process as time flow. Don't forget to clean the uv lamp glass once every few days to maintain the lamp quality. And many inks are stinks not just uv inks. The ink odor can damage your lungs slowly for a long period of time, so better use air purifier even though it's not a big help to remove the odor. Maintain your health with proper nutrients and workout. Be careful when you clean the waste ink, don't let the ink touch your skin because it can damage your skin especially if you have sensitive skin. The cracked software mostly paired with chinese uv flatbed printers that modified from epson printers. If you have more bugdet, i recommend to use WhiteRIP, a nice program to make your printer works even better, but the matter is WhiteRIP is quite expensive than AcroRIP. Don't let the head gap more than 1.5milimeters to ensure good print results. Check your nozzle before you start the job in the morning. Use a stabilizer to prevent electricity damage.
The good news for chinese modified epson uv printers is the spareparts are cheaper than japan or europe uv printers. Much more cheaper. My japan uv printer cost around 3k just for one print head (the machine use 3 or 4 print heads), a 5k uv lamp also more expensive ink cost than chinese uv ink. Even the small parts is expensive. The difference is japan or europe uv printers prints a great result and capable of a long working time. But when trouble comes, it's a pain for all uv flatbed printers.
Hope you get your machine working better now. Thank you for sharing this video.
I just got a printer from China, and it is not bad at all. I am new to a UV printer, but I know, it is common sense to clean a printer for maintenance. I just don't know how. If you have a link or a video on how to do this, that would be great. Also, I really like your comment. It is all I am experiencing right now.
@@yazzydesigns5955 which printer did you purchase? Cost?
Thanks
@@yazzydesigns5955 how is your machine running after a year of use and why brand did you get I m planning on get one but I don’t know which one.
@Doni Are you able to provide contacts for further information and advice?
Thank god i seen this vid,,i was shopping around and still am for a uv printer,,,plz anybody out there type in reviews on the product your thinking about, orelse you will do your hard earned money,,a big thankyou to the people who took time to make this vid
Have been through such.I can listen to software commentary for hours 😄😄😄
Thanks for the review!
Thanks!! I've been toying with the idea of getting one of these and this helped me decide to look another direction
@Yon van Raders OR no printer at all. I only need one of these now and then and it's too much of a hassle to clean the ink and heads out every time I want to print one little thing. So I crossed the UV off my list of options. lmao
@@buttonwizard6644 same as u buddy I need a print here or there, so what did u come up with instead?
@@mrs.conscious Not much. For one project I played a little with inkjet tattoo stickers applied to the item rather than trying to print directly on it.
@@buttonwizard6644 wow that's soo funny lmao I actual purchased tattoo paper last week and that's what I started testing with last week. But even that is a drag lol. I think I might spend the money on something like this... Good luck!
The points you mentioned are common for UV printers regardless it is China made or elsewhere. Some suppliers only offer cracked software. There are many high quality products made in China if you carefully choose and pay for the relevant prices.
I've been running a larger WER printer for a few years now and love it
Thanks for the info. Great job & keep up the good work.
Thanks so much for the valuable info! This is what I'm looking for to make an informed decision.
Such a useful review - thanks for doing it!
Thank you so much! Learned a lot
All UV printers are high maintenance. Its the nature of it
All ink printers are too! Only a thermal printer can be left without running it regularly
Most UV printers (even expensive ones) have the same issues (except for the software). Most UV ink stinks but some of the higher end printers capture overspray. They all require maintenance when not used for numerous days. Still just part of the tech these days.
I think if someone is serious about UV printer (vs "occasional use") they should / will plan around ventilation and maintenance. It's a good call-out because that might be a huge surprise for someone getting a UV printer for first time. That said, the smell is probably worse for these budget printers because the containers are partially open vs what I see to be good sealed solutions on professional UV printers.
We have a quality UV printer and that also smells a little bit. It also requires that it would be used frequently. Don't buy UV printer without checking the support and servicing, because you will need it! Just imagine you have a big order and the printer breaks. Chinese won't repair it, local UV service won't repair it, because noone want's to repair cheap printers, that's why they sell branded printers.
Where can I get the driver to work this printer 🖨
I use a Roland LEF-200, which is a relatively high-end UV printer ( $25,000 new ), and it has all the issues mentioned in the video ( except for the cracked software )! You do need to baby it, and run it every few days, otherwise the printheads can clog on their own if left unused for too long. The branded solvent inks ( Roland $$$ -- $500 for a full set of 220ml cartridges ) have a definite smell, though it's not too bad if the printer is not in your living area, and if you empty the waste ink bottle regularly. The maximum recommended printing distance is... 2mm, otherwise you get mist. And the printheads are actually made by... EPSON ( three DX4 printheads at $500 a piece )! So, yeah, it's all the same hassles mentioned in the rant video.
The benefit of Chinese UV printers, however, is that they are a *whole lot* cheaper; but the biggest negative is that if something breaks, you are on your own - pretty much. ...Though bringing in a Roland-certified tech to fix our issues can cost one or two grands + parts, forcing us to become increasingly good at fixing them ourselves, as much as possible ( stuff like: replacing printheads, manifolds, dampers, wipers, and cap-tops ).
CONCLUSION: It's not a 'budget UV printer from China' issue. All UV printers are like that, including high-end ones. Owning a UV printer is basically like looking after a baby: you can't really walk away from it! It is a constant, nagging, and expensive concern - but with a budget Chinese model, the stakes are way lower! ☺☺☺
@@Sunillewynter did you get the software for the printer? I am looking for wellprint
No UV printer is for home use, inks don't last very long to start with, a year or less and all printers need cleaning after each use. Just shipping and the inks and a print head would eat up most of the price, amazing it works at all.
Good info. I've been wanting a UV Printer, but after watching this I realize I need to be better prepared with actual products and designs otherwise I'll end up with a clogged mess. I already worry about my converted ET-8550 sublimation printer.
uv printer works perfectly in certain jobs, and it requires regular maintenance. I have been using mine from a chinese supplier for 2 years, and it's been working way better than a modified printer. I guess we can't put all chinese brands in the same basket, cuz there are a few good ones. You can take a look at rainbow inkjet, they have quality machines and professional solutions.
This was a great video, just outlining the basics- thanks
The details in this video are really great.
I already bought the same printer, and I'll start using it soon, your videos really help, thank you!
Cost?
@@kollikattai $2000-$4000 for a printer like this (depends if you include shipping or not)
Did you start using it yet? How is it going?
How is the printer now? I am thinking about buying an A3 uv printer from China. I need to know how you're doing too before I buy one.
@@hyang1980ify I'm planning to buy it too. And use it for business
I agree with every singel one of your observations. I have 2 and both are amazing when they work, not so much the other 90pct of the time. Even with US made ink the clogging is a nightmare. Mine does not have white ink circulation like other more expensive printers and that is the key downfall. As you said they are only useful if being unsed constantly and they do not like to sit ...not even for the 3 days that you seller claimed. Sadly mine have sat for months and the work required to get them going, if even possible will be huge.
Shame to hear that you've left this for months :( I wonder if there is some solvents you can use to help rescue print heads.
These usually use Epson print heads that are usually about $100
If there is no white inc circulation maybe using a agitator like they use in labs might be a good alternative
might need to change all the way from ink tubes to printhead, a nightmare
@@GreysonDavis-wp3dn Sadly I tossed it, not worth the trouble in the end. Even If I had fixed it then I would have needed to use it daily and that was not in the cards.
i bought acrorip 11 from inkfuse for £408 inc vat we haven't had a problem win 7 to 11 we have an extractor for the smell so £4000 for the dx5 version is 1/3 of the price of the branded printers you still have to have to clean it and the ink still smells as a starter thay are good value i still recommend buying original software as it has some extra pieces in the software i.e. having the ability to assign colors to each canal so if one of your channels block you can switch it to another canal IT IS A GOOD STARTER IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND AND JUST LEARNING
thank you so much !! I consider between good one about 7500euro and this machine, price so good but after seen this video I decide to buy a good one :)
the good one will give you same problem... you to maintanace every 3 days...
I went through the same thing as her! My supplier said the same thing to me too!
Very cool experience to follow along with. Nice storytelling!
Thank you, it was fun to put together and rewarding to see how many views.
We never really got to see the results of the print jobs. If you read this could you show us some?
This is a blessing compared to the multi million dollar 12 Colour presses I got to work on
wondering how adequate UV printing would be for printing original fine art works. For example, if I would print using a Ultrachrome / Pigment method on a quality acid-free paper, and then I learn that UV printing can print on other interesting surfaces, but questions come up like: is the ink durable? are colors accurate? etc. Obviously the surfaces would weight on these factors, I was considering surfaces like aluminum, some woods, or ceramic.
Very good video. Made me laugh multiple times, very good approach - Thank you. I am currently looking at this one and a Funsun - after research it is the same exact software situation as you reported. So the plan would be to use a clean laptop NOT connected to the internet just like you said. However, I am curious about your experience now it has been 3 years later. If you have a moment. Thanks
I've now sold the printer - I would have to use it regularly to be worth the maintenance. That's really the question you should ask..
1/ will I use this often enough (if not, outsource it)
2/ do I have a space that can handle smell (too strong for garage, ok in dedicated space)
3/ if I plan to use it heavy enough, would a more professional printer make sense? (I could get good prints, but with a lot of waste, no confidence of "right first time")
Thank you for being very informative with your experience on this printer. Appreciate the honesty and taking the time to share it. Sorry you and your significant other had to go through this. Subbed! 👍
Thank you. We had a "lets try it, at worst we will make a video out of it" attitude, and video was fun to make.
Thank you - this was really helpful
So here is my personal experience: In the place i used to work they got a Nocali printer ( 60 x 90 cm) it costed around 25k USD, the quality wasn´t that great but that was just the tip of the iceberg, we later found out that the suction system wasn´t working properly, the flatbed surface wasn´t even, it will oftenly lose pressure on the print head forcing us to perform cleaning process (that would result in wasted ink), the print head life spawn was only 4 months (sometimes less) and we had to pay around 500 USD for the new print heads plus almost 150 USD for each ink color (with a life spawn of 6 months) we also had to pay for service fees every time tech support had to come and check the printer for cleaning and maintenance ( around 200 USD per visit) So if you are considering to buy a Flat Bed printer invest a little more in a well-known brand and not a cheap chinese rip off, in the long run it will save you a lot of money
Dear Roger, may I know from where did you buy the printer? Thanks.
Dear friend, it is too bad. Who is the printer supplier? Can you share the supplier's full name?
I am interested to know too please
I really don't know what you have against Nocai. maybe it's something you're not mentioning... but i'm really happy with that company. i bought 2 printers and i will gladly buy a 3rd and 4rth. this is the best company out there to buy a printer from. period.!
We cant afford to spend 25K on a pos machine. $2500 was doable, but now i think we will forget the whole idea.
Quite informational. Thanks
You modified printer heads, and only after that you started tackling software connections? Sounds like a good plan
Great video, I liked it. You managed to retain your humour, whilst having to deal with the issue. As the old saying goes: Pay peanuts, expect monkeys. As you said at the end, invest your money somewhere else if you want good quality. And a note to anyone thinking of doing their own UV modification on an inkjet - UV ink will dissolve the tubes feeding the head and also some of the plastic inside the pump and headstock.
Thank you. We knew we were taking a risk, so we are not upset. The fact that our experience is helping others make an informed decision is worth it.
Gracias por la recomendacion, ya me estaba calentando la cabeza estos equipos chinos, un favor te agradeceria de antemano tienes informacion sobre como cuidar o extender los cuidados de los cabezales en epson. Ya que no son tan baratos su reposicion. Y tengfo entendido estos dicen durar apenas los 2 años.
How are you getting your files on to your Trojan compromised laptop? A read only usb stick?
Thank you so much I learned a lot from your experience!
제가 영어를 잘못해서 그런데... 내용이 중국제 uv프린터 쓸만하단 내용인가요? 한국에서 uv프린터를 사면 1000만원은 기본으로 넘어가길래 알리에서 200정도 주고 uv프린터를 살까 고민중이거든요 ㅠㅠ
Thank you so much to show us the risks to from china in sites like Alibaba or Aliexpress it is in fact a gumble and a big risk for our money own security, you help me to be just careful, all the best for you.
To be clear, this was a calculated risk - and purchase was through ebay as part of risk mitigation. Product is effectively as described.
Thanks great information
😮 Wow. Awful what you had to go through. Thanks for the heads up and sharing your experiences and the forewarning.
To be fair, I went into this eyes open, curious how the experience would be. I'm glad this video is useful for you and others.
@@JMePhotoLLC 👌 ok
The reason this are selling is the next name brand printer for sale is a roland uv printer for 16k dollars compared to 3k. Also the roland ink sinks as well.
As a Roland owner I agree
@@BpKoksan Hello. I'm thinking in get a Roland LEF20 UV Printer. Will you recommend it? Thanks.
@@pinochoyoya9712 Yes. I had LEF 12, a little smaller, but great. Nothing compares to Roland's quality. But the price is high, so I am using Epson based with Roland inks. Almost the same quality, but way cheaper to maintain
@@BpKoksan Thanks for the answer. Where do you buy the inks? Have you got a link? I'm afraid of the maintenance.
Thank you so much for this video. I was thinking very seriously about buying a EraSmart printer.
Can you recommend a UV printer made in the USA? Can you recommend a UV printing contractor in the Seattle area.
Just thought I would ask.
if you ask...you cant afford it lol
long live the chinese they revolutionize commerce.
Did you find a US supplier?
@@jennifferbesseau2094 Yup I did and look forward to $30-55 K as in thousands.
i think for you due to lack any education of computer and programs, the simplest id buying from usa
usa sellers are nice, and very patient with customers like you
they are willing to hang on the phone and explain why you have to plug machine into the wall outlet, while it sounds a simple thing for you probably causing issues to understanding
so again the best idea for you buy an american made printer
Thanks for video ! How mutch does it cost ?
Good info.. more expensive than..? What did this printer cost ?
There are no shortcuts in life, just sacrifice & disappointment. No UV printer is made for only occasional use, and no uv printer matches the quality of pro-silkscreen. Sublimation transfers are the way to go on the cheap. Thanks for the Chinesium heads-up though.
Sure wish I would have seen this video before I purchased my Chinese UV printer. Your comments on maintenance are exactly right. I didn't keep up with the need to run the printer every few days and now I've got a head and tubes that are clogged. My prints are very poor! I think I'm going to give it a thorough cleaning and see if I can get it printing again. Then, I think I'm going to find a local print shop that wants it. It's way too large/heavy to ship anywhere. BTW...I installed the cracked software and it's turned out to be fine. The "Trojan" reports from Windows were false.
Where are you located I may ne interested in your printer
@David Burger - What is the name of the printer you purchased(?)
@davidberger did you sell the machine? Are you in the USA?
I have a really nice large Chinese uv printer myself I would probably sell... I didn't realize the ink smelled so bad until I got the machine unloaded in my shop. I live in southwest georgia. I bought it last year second handed and haven't ever printed with it. I am quite sure the print heads will be clogged but I don't know.
Mine is a uv-9060v for anyone interested. I would sell for 2500
Just the same, i bought a expensive Roland UV printer, sold it a year later. The maintenance is costly, you have to waste costly uv inks to protect the head from clogging.
Yup. UV Printing is not for hobbyists.
Buy a chinese UV printer, use Roland inks in it. Thank me later
@@BpKoksan could you explain more?
Hi.. whiskey Charlie.... Are roland printers not worth the price ? Which uv a3 size printer is good.... should we go for chinese printer?
@@TheCutizens quality wise Roland is best, but the cost of print is high. I will risk investing in China printer, its fraction of the cost etc...
Full licence software is around $1000~$3000
Epson good for printing but high maintenance due to print head . Acrorip has limited function (not really user friendly ) especially on create the template . I spend at least 2K USD and it seat comfortable around somewhere . Not sure i want to start it again ;(
Strange... I don't have any troubles with Acrorip and Epson based UV printers... Which version of Acrorip are you using?
Did you have any problem with the color variation? I have the same printer however my percentages are off for CMYK. Its been pretty hard to make a GOOD sample print. Thanks!
Yes, that is a good call out. That depends so much on the ink. If going into this professionally, there is a kit to help color match.
You need to calibrate the colors, also for more expensive printers. It should be possible in the rip software. (We used more expensive Mimaki UJF3024)
This is quality and helpful content. Thanks a lot.
As soon as you said Epson I said FAWK : (. I'm dealing with an Epson XP 970 right now and it is a pain in the butt. Print heads are always getting clogged even when I use it every day, on top of Epson printers always pick-pocketing you. The maintenance box goes out so fast when there isn't a lot of waste ink in it. I want to buy a UV or LED printer as well but man I don't know which way to go and I have a headache while typing this for real. I am trying to get a business off the ground and have not been able to make money yet but it just seems like I'm dishing out so much money trying to find the best way to accomplish everything, ugh : (.
all of the dtf and dtg printers are using epson printheads R-jet 5 Tshirt printer uses epson 4480 a2 guts
Good comments about printer but what else did you end up doing? What are the better options?
non or i should say 3 times the price
The software was probably safe. If it wasn't, you could have easily ran it in something like Sandboxie.
i bought an original acurip 11 £330+vat well worth it
Thanks.
Is there any printer directly compatible with Adobe software? I'm a veteran in Ps, Ai and Illustrator. I've worked with UV printers before where I could just upload an EPS, but that was back in the day using a $200k printer. Im now looking for a simple UV printer to be used for printing on small pieces of plastic.
very informative! thank you. which printer do you recommend for printing photos on cellphone cases? thanks
Our model 6090 will do it
Roland or mimaki.
I can offer you a good one.
Excellent video! I would say Sublimation, all the way! Sawgrass! :)
did you expect full licence software on a 3k machine?
Unless it specify otherwise, yes. Though comparatively cheap, 3k is a good amount of money. If they had custom drivers and software it could be achieved. But they are not that smart.
Problem is not in paying money. I wish they have had normal software and I will happily pay but all they had is some shit. DON'T ever bought one of these
Yes absolutely! 3k is very expensive.
I guess I'll use the UV Printer at the library then.
Would you says if you run a job every few days just to keep the ink "fresh" you wont have to purge it weekly?
I honestly can't believe you didn't research first and were so naive about the ink. All uv and dtg printers will have these same issues regardless of where you purchase them from and what brand they are.
Absolutely! And there are only 2 factories in the world, that produce UV ink, everything else is extra components and branding. I personally tried 3 brands of ink, from "chinese" to Roland's. The quality difference is way less than the price diff
I don't think she is naive... Actually if it wasn't for people like her that took the risk in buy this printers and dtg, we wouldn't know all the trouble this printers can come with. So lucky us she did it, and she lost money but earn lots of experience.
I have been asking sellers on Aliexpress and alibaba for info for months they won’t send it ! They give you the run around . That’s why I haven’t bought one . I think the $6 per unit to have my product printed is looking to be worth it . If I grow then I’ll look into a $5-10k printer but the maintenance and cleaning makes it a big deterrent
happend the exact same way, we experienced the same, but with Audley printers! Cracked Photoprint 12 with the same usb dongle that you also have, bought a 1,8mts printer and a 60x90cm uv flatbed printer, never got them to work, almost 20k out the door.... china is so close, yet so far away from Japan in terms of ease of use, and having the costumers happy, they just want to sell, no technical assistence for real, ok...allways some answer us, by wechat but only after we keep sending messages, they already have our money why should they be bored from us?? they need a mentality change! now we only buy rolls, and raw materials, never we will buy machines! thanks for the video. sorry for the money you and all of us wasted.....
Sorry you had this experience. To be fare, we did go into this knowing it was a huge gamble.
@@JMePhotoLLC so do i, but my Boss, only looked @ how cheap it was.....
As allways, some Chinese brands are good and some are very bad. The problem is to find the good one. Best ways to check printing quality are : 1 - making extensive test by sendind your own tests materials with DHL, Fedex, UPS and ask videos during printing and also print time. Double check their RIP solutions (absolutely avoid AcroRip or pirated software for example) 2 - Better : go to Chinese Exhibition (for example Apppexpo www.apppexpo.com/index/2/en) and make you own tests on different machines. 3 - The best ; good to the factories and take a look at the size of production and build procedures ; make extensive tests and speak with technician to be sure to have a minimum technical assistance.
But NEVER NEVER NEVER buy a chinese UV printer without doing one of this 3 things.
5:40 just never go on vacation!
That too!
i have a question. this or some printer like this has able to print on height differences. let’s say is it possible to print on a phone case that has bumper at the edges like 4-5 mm height difference. any experiene on that with any budget uv printer?
Oh well. I guess i will stick with dropshipping and let my supplier handle the printing
How did you manage to use the varnish instead of the 2 whites?
at least 5 of your 7 "negatives" are just the nature of UV printing, nothing to do with this specific machine, doesn't matter what machine you buy it's going to be a problem, the other 2, well, that's why it's cheap, good software is never cheap.
I think it's fair that Heavy / High maintenance / Ink stinks is nature of UV printing. The "Trial and Error" of this printer I think is worse due to nature of the print head and setup. This printer I think is more messy vs UV printers that have cartridges, and probably smells more also because of the open ink containers. But I agree that there is a lot here that screams that you either need to be committed to UV printing (get a decent printer, deal with it, make a business out of it) or you outlet to someone else who's willing to deal with it. Most people who get a cheap UV printer are thinking it can just sit on a shelf and use as you want/need, which is the main call out.
Wow......, this is really wonderful UV printer!
By the way, please feel free to get back to us, if you will need Smart High Power High Voltage UV Lamp Ballasts, reference at www.uvballastsupplying.com. Thanks
@@PaperPackingMachines .. good to know about you!
@@Andertheil Thanks. Good to know about you too!
@@JMePhotoLLC yes but the "pro" ones cost 10x the price
Are you using this printer now? Or does he not work for you? I want to buy it too, but I have doubts ...
you got what you paid. I love Roland UV.
Thank you for your suggestion. Is your printer easy to use? I am in the printing business. I have a Rainbow inkjet printer now. I think it is ok. I want to buy another printer for use.
If you seriously want to get into UV Printing, make an investment and get a high-end printer. There is a lot of trial and error and TLC with the cheaper printers.
Any issues with the gloss? Did you have to do the same maintenance as the white ink?
My understanding is that the white ink is the big issue. I run a cleaning cycle every few days just to keep all ink moving.
Agree i should listing to you really i bought uva3 from refinecolor printers just dont buy , buy once but buy best , lost 3k $ for nothing , AFTER BUYING printer became a Bp PACENT :-)
Thank you
you should try latex printers
What would happen if i dont use the printer for a week or two? How I can avoid the problem that many people say if I don't use the printer at least everyday It will get bugged......
I print with a UV printer on a daily basic - lets ignore you are buying a product with cracked software. you CAN buy the software from the actual creator at full pop, funny that you went on to buy YET another cracked soft (budget) dongle.. think that should be a clue for you about what software actually should cost.. or pring straight to the epson driver. epson printers have been used as cores in tons of UV printers.. this is not a bad thing, just cheaper than more dedicated cores. and parts are cheaper.. I say that being used to paying $2000 everytime print head need replacing.
But frankly your issues with the printer is standard, there can't be multiple mm's variance in the height. and you DO need to spend a lot of time dialing your inks in.. once thats fairly close its a daily ride.
I have one question I just got this printer where can I down load the driver for this printer pleas send me a link 😫😫
I should see this video before buy it😢
Does any body knows a forum or something talking about fixing errors or something
(Achi uv flatbed Epson 1390 print head)
it is useful video before buying uv print. if it is not good for soho business, what model is good? i want to print design on small glass, wood and fablic like t-shirts. thanks for the video.
I would post a question in facebook.com/groups/224148498043700/ - personally I would recommend sub-contracting out the printing. Particularly for most fabric, you'll want a different kind of printer.
@@JMePhotoLLC I really thank you for your comment.
❤❤❤ Thank you for the informative video! ❤❤❤
Ive been looking for a high quality uv printer. Or any type of printer/cutter that will do t shirts, and multiple types of surfaces. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know. Thanks
Have you found something?
@@thegoddess4172 no i havent yet. I dont want to buy any cheap printer
@@coin_addiction7167 I'm looking for the same
Any recommendations on which UV printer I SHOULD buy?
There are some good forums on Facebook where people talk about UV printers and different manufacturers.
How about the UV LIGHT EXPOSURES? Are they harmful?
u have this opinion coz u dont have experience much about printer,,, its only UV... but if u try DTF then u gonna get more headache.. after all if u use to it its just easy.... software is just basic u can buy it anywere in alibaba or ali express.. buy acro10.3 it can give more fast ripping and faster print also. uv ink is more easyier to maintenance than DTF..
Wish id seen this sooner im having issues just getting the damn thing to get a test print ! i get a RED LED light on the paper trash can button
I tryn to find a machine that prints 360 degrees on spheres can you help
thank you.
Many of them will give u test samples if u request . Also it’s your fault for not asking these questions prior , it’s China and cheaper what do u expect .
Thanks for your review. You note all the things I have seen with really Nice UV printers in some friend's shop. I would like to buy a less expensive unit but I know I will never get my money back and like you, I do not want cracked software!
Just so you know if you plan on doing shirts I wouldn’t recommend any UV printer
Where is this facebook link you keep referencing? I went through a ton of comments trying to find it. What is the link please?
facebook.com/groups/224148498043700
How did you print the grid?
How can you have non cracked software if it's a counterfeit printer????
You need to get in another line of work... You ignore the more expensive option that will hand hold you through issues to buy a cheaper option that doesnt hand hold you then complain they dont hand hold you..did i get that right.?
I concur with you (and conclusion in the video) that someone taking this seriously should take the more expensive option. This is not my line of work, and printer is now packed up to resell :)
After researching, I’d say the complaints raised in the video are not unique to this printer. They’re common to all UV and DTG printers, aside from the software thing.
So the question is, how well does it print?
Confirmed. I use a Roland LEF-200, which is a relatively high-end UV printer ( $25,000 new ), and it has all the issues mentioned in the video ( except for the cracked software )! You do need to baby it, and run it every few days, otherwise the printheads can clog on their own if left unused for too long. The branded solvent inks ( Roland $$$ -- $500 for a full set of 220ml cartridges ) have a definite smell, though it's not too bad if the printer is not in your living area, and if you empty the waste ink bottle regularly. The maximum recommended printing distance is... 2mm, otherwise you get mist. And the printheads are actually made by... EPSON ( three DX4 printheads at $500 a piece )! So, yeah, it's all the same hassles mentioned in the rant video.
The benefit of Chinese UV printers, however, is that they are a *whole lot* cheaper; but the biggest negative is that if something breaks, you are on your own - pretty much. ...Though bringing in a Roland-certified tech to fix our issues can cost one or two grands + parts, forcing us to become increasingly good at fixing them ourselves, as much as possible ( stuff like: replacing printheads, manifolds, dampers, wipers, and cap-tops ).
CONCLUSION: It's not a 'budget UV printer from China' issue. All UV printers are like that, including high-end ones. Owning a UV printer is basically like looking after a baby: you can't really walk away from it! It is a constant, nagging, and expensive concern - but with a budget Chinese model, the stakes are way lower! ☺☺☺
@@namolokaman2393 I've had one of these printers for almost a year now. It prints well, and should be used at least once per day. I run a small, single print on it just to make sure it gets used.
@@mattportnoyTLV I haven't noticed any test print degradation when running it every 4-5 days - _since I replaced the cap-tops and their springs_ ( which keep a nice seal around the printheads, now )! This is helped by the fact that the printer does self-cleaning / ink circulation every few hours, automatically [ as set in the 'service mode' menu ], so long as the main power switch ( behind ) is not turned off ( which also means that the printer uses ink on its own, even when not officially 'in use' - sniff sniff )! We do live in a humid climate, though, with average humidity of 63%. Note: For self-maintenance, like cap-top or damper replacement, I recommend downloading the "CONFIDENTIAL" ( says so on the cover page ☺ ) 'LEF-12 Service Manual'.
@@namolokaman2393 Very interesting tip! Right now I'm dealing with a 'no white ink printing' issue that I can't figure out, lol.
@@mattportnoyTLV ...Ouch. Possibility: Look for cured ink around the white cartridge ink spout, maybe applying a bit of cleaning fluid there. Note: There is a troubleshooting section, titled "6-2 Particular color is not printed at all", in the service manual mentioned. Tip #1: UV inks cure slowest when exposed to lower frequency light ( opposite ultra-violet on the light spectrum ), which is why the acrylic lid of the printer has a yellow tint. To do maintenance work, I wait for nighttime, and use a head-mounted 300 lumens ( not too bright ) *red* LED light. Tip #2: For ordering parts, I look up the Roland part numbers in the exploded view diagrams and associated tables, in the service manual, and order generic, Roland-compatible, parts online ( such as: dampers, o-rings, and cap-tops ).
Agreed!
love the video its hilarious and i love how humble you are when dealing with such absurdity!
now, speaking of absurdity, i haven't slept in 2 days trying to find a solution to how i can direct print on mylar bags, and boxes, to have metallic finish.
is an expensive flatbed UV printer the only way? :(
i just wanna do small mylar bags and small boxes for chocolates and gifts and put some cool design but i NEED it to be metallic!!!
Any alternatives/help would be appreciated, thank you in advance
With hindsight, I would outsource this step.
As someone who has worked in a print production plant and also runs a small print business of my own I can assure you unless you have foil or metallic ink you will not be able to achieve it from a printer. Even a high grade flatbed printer at $25,000.00 will need a specialty ink to get a metallic print on text. Most text of that style requires a press sometimes as well
@@pilotintraining2391 what would you recommend for the cheapest yet most efficient for it's price option available as far as UV flatbed printers go (that is able to emboss/etch and print with metallic ink) ?
@@pilotintraining2391 or do you by any chance offer such services at affordable rates? i also know some people in an industry who need such services i can send them your way
@@zerosyn6035 I’m still in the market doing heavy research for one. Almost all are made in China but I’m okay with that as long as the language and operating system isn’t in Cantonese or anything. I have found that A4 flatbed uv printers are roughly $3000-$5000 USD and I’m not sure the overall quality but I’m purchasing one I found on Amazon in a few months because my printing company needs more equipment to be able to run and sustain the growing volume of orders. I will keep you posted on a printer model once I decide on the company
If i had seen this video before!
Is there one that can print up-to A1 paper? I need one.