Welcome to this week’s Wide Format Brief—your trusted roundup of the print innovations, launches, and partnerships that actually matter. From Roland’s revamped DTF offering to new adhesive tech, from a standout creative house in Poland to strategic distribution moves in Canada, this edition delivers practical insights and performance milestones.
📢 This Week in Wide Format Brief:
Roland upgrades VersaSTUDIO BY-20 with SPG-2 inks
Mutoh drops high-speed XPJ-1682SR DS Pro for dye-sub
Drytac introduces high-tack Polar HiGrab Air film
SimpliCity Poland pushes hybrid creativity with Durst P5
Roland adds ND Graphics as a Canadian authorized dealer
📰 Top 5 Headlines This Week
1. Roland Refreshes VersaSTUDIO BY-20 with New SPG-2 Inks
Summary:
Roland DG updates its popular entry-level DTF printer with improved inks, heating tech, and software aimed at creators and short-run apparel printers.
Key takeaways:
New SPG-2 inks (CMYK+White) deliver greater stretch, adhesion, and durability
Enhanced heating system improves print-to-film transfer consistency
Ships with FlexiDESIGNER VersaSTUDIO Edition for intuitive RIP + design
Why It Matters:
SPG-2 inks turn the BY-20 into a more dependable DTF workhorse for design studios, apparel startups, and schools looking to enter textile printing with confidence.
2. Mutoh Unveils XPJ-1682SR DS Pro 64" Dye-Sub Printer
Summary:
Mutoh EMEA announces its next-gen dual-head dye-sublimation printer with faster speeds, refined media handling, and DS4 ProFlex ink compatibility.
Key takeaways:
Designed for both transfer and direct-to-fabric output
Uses energy-saving DS4 ProFlex inks with stable color and performance
Aimed at sportswear, soft signage, backlit, and interior decor segments
Why It Matters:
Mutoh positions this unit as a fast-track upgrade for shops seeking high-speed production and media flexibility—without a heavy learning curve.
3. Drytac Debuts Polar HiGrab Air for Hard-to-Stick Surfaces
Summary:
Drytac announces a new high-tack printable film, Polar HiGrab Air, engineered for tough substrates like brick, concrete, wood, and rough plastics.
Key takeaways:
Air release liner ensures clean installs on uneven surfaces
High-tack adhesive removes the need for overlamination in most use cases
Available across UK and international regions
Why It Matters:
Solves the long-standing problem of adhesion failure on textured or low-energy surfaces—perfect for construction, outdoor signage, and equipment labeling.
4. SimpliCity Prints Nearly 300,000 m² Annually on Durst P5 350
Summary:
Polish print house SimpliCity reports output nearing 300,000 m² per year from its Durst P5 350 hybrid printer—showcasing how creative shops can scale volume without compromising versatility.
Key takeaways:
One P5 350 drives large-scale output across signage, POP, decor, and exhibition graphics
Production supported by Durst software and automation tools
High uptime and material flexibility cited as key success factors
Why It Matters:
This isn’t a vendor brochure—it’s a real-world benchmark. SimpliCity shows how hybrid printers can power both high volume and creative flexibility, helping PSPs scale without splitting workflows.
5. Roland DGA Adds ND Graphics as Canadian Dealer
Summary:
Roland DGA partners with ND Graphics, expanding its reach across Canada via a ten-branch network offering sales, support, and training.
Key takeaways:
Boosts local accessibility of Roland wide-format hardware
Taps into ND Graphics’ national footprint and training capability
Strengthens dealer network as demand grows for textile, UV, and eco-solvent printers
Why It Matters:
More access + more support = more PSPs entering the Roland ecosystem with confidence—especially in underserved Canadian markets
🎯 This Week’s Strategic Takeaway
Real productivity upgrades come from fit-for-purpose tweaks. Whether it’s a new adhesive that speeds up install or a DTF ink that adds stretch and pop, small material improvements can unlock measurable workflow gains.
❌ This Week’s Noise
“No-laminate solutions will replace overlaminates completely.” Not quite. Products like Polar HiGrab Air are great—but overlam still has its place for abrasion, chemicals, and gloss.
📅 What’s Coming Up
Texworld Paris 2025 – September 15–17
Mimaki will showcase its TRAPIS textile workflow and other print-on-demand innovations—key opportunity to watch simplified fabric printing in action.
🧠 Smarter Every Week
“If your media keeps lifting on tough surfaces, don’t overheat—high-tack air-release vinyl may save both install time and your temper.”
Thanks for reading this week’s Wide Format Brief! Stay fast, stay flexible, and stay ahead. Until next time—keep printing smarter.