Roland TrueVIS AG-640 Review: We Put the World's First Latex Print-and-Cut Printer to the Test

What makes the Roland AG-640 different?

The world's first latex printer with integrated contour cutting combines two production processes into a single machine, giving print businesses greater flexibility without the need for separate equipment.

The Roland AG-640 is the world's first latex printer to include integrated contour cutting, reducing the need for a separate cutting machine. With features such as crop mark recognition, kiss and perforated cutting, and fully adjustable cutting settings, it offers impressive cutting versatility.

"Personally, I think the built-in cutting capability is a strong reason to consider investing in this printer, but it's the combination of contour cutting and a significantly expanded colour gamut that really makes the AG-640 stand out to me."

"We've not seen integrated cutting on a latex printer before, and when you combine that with the impressive colour reproduction of the new TA2 inks, you've got a particularly compelling package. It gives printshops more flexibility to produce applications such as stickers, decals and promotional graphics, without sacrificing the benefits of water-based latex printing."

Beyond the convenience of integrated cutting, Graham also highlighted the level of control available to operators.

"I particularly like the level of control the AG-640 offers – this isn't just an add-on feature. You can make test cuts to establish the right settings for different materials, then adjust the blade force, cutting speed, and blade offset to suit the job. These features simplify the cutting process and reduce the risk of errors interrupting production."

New TA2 latex inks: Colour, quality and capability

An expanded ink set brings deeper blacks, smoother gradients and a wider colour gamut, opening up more possibilities for demanding graphics and applications.

The AG-640 introduces Roland's newly formulated TA2 water-based latex inks, supplied in 750 ml pouches and developed specifically for this machine. The new formulation delivers deeper blacks, smoother gradients and improved scratch resistance.

Customers can choose between a standard CMYK configuration or an expanded setup with orange, red and white inks, offering a wider colour gamut and greater application versatility.

"I found the additional colours particularly useful for matching brand colours and producing bold, vibrant retail graphics. While the white ink is handy for printing on transparent and coloured media, it's the red and orange inks that really stand out, helping to reproduce demanding colours and create eye-catching display graphics."

"Another thing worth highlighting is the overall improvement in print quality. Details are better defined, colours more vivid, and there's less visible grain, which makes a real difference on graphics designed to be viewed up close."

"Something to bear in mind, though, is that you need to choose your ink configuration carefully. It's worth considering the types of work you expect to produce before making that decision, as switching configurations involves significant engineering work and isn't something we'd recommend."

Media versatility: What can the AG-640 produce?

From stickers and decals to vehicle graphics and wallcoverings, the combination of latex printing and integrated cutting offers scope for a diverse range of applications.

One of the AG-640's key attractions is the flexibility it offers print businesses looking to expand their application range. Its combination of water-based latex printing, expanded colour options and integrated contour cutting creates opportunities across a variety of graphics and display applications.

From promotional graphics and stickers to vehicle graphics and wallcoverings, there's plenty of scope to take on different types of work without relying on separate printing and cutting equipment.

For businesses looking to diversify their offerings, the ability to bring these capabilities together in a single machine could be a significant advantage.

Everyday operation: Productivity, workflow and control

A familiar operating environment, adjustable settings and integrated RIP software help make the AG-640 a practical proposition for busy print rooms.

Designed for busy print rooms, the Roland TrueVIS AG-640 incorporates practical features to make everyday operation more straightforward. Existing Roland users will find much of the interface and controls familiar, while adjustable print and cutting settings provide flexibility for different jobs and materials.

"The AG-640 is a straightforward machine to operate, without too many unnecessary complications. I was able to get to grips with it almost straight away, and found the range of adjustable settings particularly useful. Whether you're fine-tuning the cutting conditions or making adjustments through the included VersaWorks 7 RIP software, there's plenty of control without making things overly complex."

"I'd prefer the AG-640 to have front-loading media, but I found the rear-loading system straightforward enough to use. My advice would simply be to think carefully about where you position the printer, making sure there's enough room to access it comfortably."

Our verdict: Is the Roland TrueVIS AG-640 Latex Printer/Cutter right for your print room?

A compelling combination of latex print quality and integrated cutting, but is it the right investment for your business?

After a week of testing, Graham's view is that the AG-640 offers a particularly interesting proposition for print businesses looking to expand their capabilities without adding more equipment to their production environment.

"This printer is clearly aimed at busy printshops looking to expand their capabilities without filling their print room with additional equipment. It succeeds in bringing printing and cutting together in one machine, although at just over three metres wide, it's certainly not the smallest 64-inch printer I've come across."

"Where it really stands out is its combination of high-quality water-based latex inks, versatile media compatibility and integrated contour cutting. From vehicle graphics to wallcoverings, there's plenty of scope for businesses to take on different types of work."

"Its closest competition arguably comes from the HP Latex 630W, but I think the AG-640's combination of integrated cutting and expanded colour capabilities gives print businesses a compelling alternative. Ultimately, it comes down to the applications you're producing and what works best for your business."

The key things to consider

For print businesses considering the Roland TrueVIS AG-640, there are several factors worth weighing up:

• Integrated print and cut: Particularly attractive if you regularly produce stickers, decals and other cut graphics.
• Expanded colour options: The additional red, orange and white inks offer greater flexibility for demanding colour work.
• Application versatility: An appealing proposition for businesses that produce a diverse range of wide-format graphics.
• Installation space: Its 64-inch format and rear-loading media system mean you'll need to plan your print room layout carefully.
• Ink configuration: It's important to select the right setup for your anticipated production requirements from the outset.

Interested in the Roland TrueVIS AG-640?

Discover how the Roland TrueVIS AG-640 could help your business expand its print and finishing capabilities.

Speak to our hardware team for expert guidance on ink configurations, compatible media and application possibilities, or visit our Customer Experience Centre to see the printer in action.

Call 0345 1300 662 or email info@paper-graphics.com.

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