SMALL flatbed UV printer for bottles, etc...

[CropMarks]

Hello, I know there are a boatload of "what printer should I buy?" posts, but I can't easily find anything pertaining to SMALLER UV printers for promotional products and specialty things like bottles (with round roller attachments, etc...). I currently have a CMYK +white 48x96 stratojet that is fine for what I do, but I'm looking into a smaller style of printer that can do more promotional things that this machine will not do. Printing directly onto glass bottles. This could be HUGE for me in my area. We do a ton of work with local breweries and all have asked if we can do anything other than labels. I know that "LogoJET" makes a couple of small units but I'm wondering if anyone has experience with this or any other machine that is in the same realm?

This one that I'm linking has a "rotary" attachment. I also checked with Stratojet, the current machine's manufacturer that I have and they said they do not have plans to release a small machine like that. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Miked.

LogoJET UV2400 UV-LED Direct to Substrate Printer - Full Color + White Ink + Texture + Gloss

 

[bigben]

I'm sorry, I can't help. But I'm also interested in those kind of printers. I will follow this thread. Do you know the price of this logojet printer? I assume it's in the 20k range?

 

[CropMarks]

I just wrote them and asked for a price quote... I'm pretty sure that by the time you get everything you need it ends up being maybe $30k. It's just, every time i've seen a price of $XX.XX..... it always somehow balloons up with shipping and "oh hey, you need this thing... and this do-hickey... and a new spatula.... and seat covers... OH!!! and we totally forgot about the super extended warranty that covers the one tiny screw that is sure to break and throw shrapnel around your shop!".

As soon as I hear I'll let you know.

 

[TomK]

I'm sorry, I can't help. But I'm also interested in those kind of printers. I will follow this thread. Do you know the price of this logojet printer? I assume it's in the 20k range?

Probably a bit more, they have a demo/refurb unit listed on the site, UV2400 for $20K, so I assume the new ones are a bit more.

 

[TomK]

I just wrote them and asked for a price quote... I'm pretty sure that by the time you get everything you need it ends up being maybe $30k. It's just, every time i've seen a price of $XX.XX..... it always somehow balloons up with shipping and "oh hey, you need this thing... and this do-hickey... and a new spatula.... and seat covers... OH!!! and we totally forgot about the super extended warranty that covers the one tiny screw that is sure to break and throw shrapnel around your shop!".

As soon as I hear I'll let you know.

I'm sure 30k with everything you need. I've been looking at the Roland and Mimaki smaller units, and they are all 25k and up. Amazing these things are still so expensive.

 

[CropMarks]

The UV2400 with a rotary attachment ... plus shipping... is about $28-$29K. I'm sure someone is going to charge tax for it... ???? I'm not sure but I think figuring on $30K is about right. hmmmm..... that's a heck of a lot of beer bottles to pay that off.

 

[TomK]

The UV2400 with a rotary attachment ... plus shipping... is about $28-$29K. I'm sure someone is going to charge tax for it... ???? I'm not sure but I think figuring on $30K is about right. hmmmm..... that's a heck of a lot of beer bottles to pay that off.

That's crazy pricing, esp since that is their entry level model. And yes, that's a lot of beer bottles to start generating profit.

I wonder why the UV's are still so pricey.

 

[Oroscoe]

Mimaki has a line line of small flatbed printers in various sizes that will print bottles and such with an optional attachment

 

[Eric Butler]

We have a Mimaki UJF-3042 that we bought for this reason. Unfortunately we didn't do the research on how long the printing takes and what the ink costs. If we got an order from a brewery it would take us an entire day to do 100 glasses or bottles. Then you look at the price per piece compared to one color silk screening and we can't sell anything in this market space and make money.

Add to that UV marking on glass is "interesting" (per our Mimaki rep) and you have to figure out what primer to use so these can go through the dishwasher without the printing coming off. We haven't found a lot of stuff that we can make a profit on with this machine since the print time is so long.

 

[Eric Butler]

Mimaki has a line line of small flatbed printers in various sizes that will print bottles and such with an optional attachment

That optional attachment is not adjustable and only suitable for cylinders. Anything tapered and you have to build a jig.

 

[Oroscoe]

If you can make it to the New Orleans SGIA show in October they will all be on display in one location and you will get the best price as well.

 

[CropMarks]

Right now I'm pretty much thinking that it just doesn't make sense to get one that costs above $20K. The logoJET is cool because it can turn off certain sections of the printhead so it can focus on a small area that is in focus on a curved shape. But for the most part, I can do tons of different flat items on my Stratojet that I currently have. Everything from custom hotel key cards for fancy events, coasters, glass prints (not drinkware... but flat glass)... CNC cut shapes.... heck, even ceiling tiles I've done. I have a small sublimation printer for mugs and things like that. It works really great and holds up well in the wash. Hmmmm...... financially it just makes no sense....

Thanks for all the replies... I do appreciate it!

 

[TomK]

Right now I'm pretty much thinking that it just doesn't make sense to get one that costs above $20K. The logoJET is cool because it can turn off certain sections of the printhead so it can focus on a small area that is in focus on a curved shape. But for the most part, I can do tons of different flat items on my Stratojet that I currently have. Everything from custom hotel key cards for fancy events, coasters, glass prints (not drinkware... but flat glass)... CNC cut shapes.... heck, even ceiling tiles I've done. I have a small sublimation printer for mugs and things like that. It works really great and holds up well in the wash. Hmmmm...... financially it just makes no sense....

Thanks for all the replies... I do appreciate it!

Hey CropMarks, agree with you on the cost of the UV's! Just curious, what sublim printer you have?

 

[CropMarks]

Hey CropMarks, agree with you on the cost of the UV's! Just curious, what sublim printer you have?

Basically at the shop it's just a small RICOH SG 3110DNW that works well with the sawgrass inks. ---- At my house I've got the exact same printer using crazy 3rd party inks for fun. 3rd party inks for it are really hit or miss. since I used to do a ton of my own repairs on my old Roland printer I could tell that the carts were weird and were causing the ink to not flow. The actual ink seems solid and holds up well. colors not too bad. Just something fun to mess with at home.

 

[CropMarks]

LogoJET emailed me this morning with a promotion they are running... It actually looks like a good deal for what they are offering. But... it still doesn't change the fact that I'd have to sell a billion beer bottles to make it pay for itself.

 

[TomK]

LogoJET emailed me this morning with a promotion they are running... It actually looks like a good deal for what they are offering. But... it still doesn't change the fact that I'd have to sell a billion beer bottles to make it pay for itself.

These vendors make me laugh...promotion? Spend $30K and get a free set of inks? LOL

 

[ftq]

I was told this machine was built by a manufacturer called microteh. Not sure if its true, they do look similar tho
UV Printer & DTG Printer, UV Printer & DTG Printer direct from Microtec Technology Printing Co., Ltd. in China (Mainland)
Beside its not good idea to use Epson DX5 head for UV ink.

 

[Steve Weist]

Hello, I know there are a boatload of "what printer should I buy?" posts, but I can't easily find anything pertaining to SMALLER UV printers for promotional products and specialty things like bottles (with round roller attachments, etc...). I currently have a CMYK +white 48x96 stratojet that is fine for what I do, but I'm looking into a smaller style of printer that can do more promotional things that this machine will not do. Printing directly onto glass bottles. This could be HUGE for me in my area. We do a ton of work with local breweries and all have asked if we can do anything other than labels. I know that "LogoJET" makes a couple of small units but I'm wondering if anyone has experience with this or any other machine that is in the same realm?

This one that I'm linking has a "rotary" attachment. I also checked with Stratojet, the current machine's manufacturer that I have and they said they do not have plans to release a small machine like that. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Miked.

LogoJET UV2400 UV-LED Direct to Substrate Printer - Full Color + White Ink + Texture + Gloss

Give me a call We have tons of options in our demo center you can test on, the Mimaki UJF series ranges from 28" x 20" down to 16.5" x 11.5", all can do Cylinder type printing great for the stainless tumblers. that season is fixing to get cranked up VERY soon and we know how to help you get geared up to make some serious money.

Steve Weist
PDS Equipment
#1 Mimaki UV dealer
615-812-3001