WHAT THIS WEBSITE IS ALL ABOUT: WHY YOU WOULD WANT TO DO THIS: HOW YOU ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO IT YOURSELF: |
|
|
Dear Future Printer, So... You have been searching the web trying to find out a cost effective way to join the solvent printing craze. What have you found? If you were like me when I started looking around a couple of years ago, you are finding mixed messages. Many will tell you to just go and buy a new solvent printer. A few will tell you about the time that a guy down the street tried running solvent inks for the first time and the ink ate up his printer. Every now and then you will hear about a success story: someone who actually converted their printer and used it to grow their business. That's my story! In the summer of 2006, I had started a small banner printing company with only a laptop computer, a cell phone, and an e-mail account. All of our printing was outsourced to a billboard printing company that used solvent inks. The price was great and our product was durable, but our customers were craving higher resolution and tighter control over turn around time and color. This led me to search (as you may have) on e-bay for an entry level solvent printer. I ended up buying a Roland FJ-52 that had been converted to solvent ink by Splash of Color (a Roland dealer in Texas). They had realized that there were many small printing businesses that wanted to print with solvent based inks for outdoor durability and versatility, as well as low cost of materials. At the time the choices were few for an “affordable” wide format solvent printer. Now there are many that you can purchase new for $15,000-$30,000 or more that are great printers. But... What to do if you want to test the waters with this type of printing without risking that kind of money? We asked the same question and researched the process of converting aqueous printers to mild solvent ourselves. Since then, we have started converting Roland FJ-50s, FJ-52s, CJ-500s, CJ-540s, and other models, and have used them for thousands of jobs in daily service after converting. When we were first searching around for information about converting to solvent inks, the information was spotty and inconsistent. One sticking issue was heaters. Many online suppliers offer solvent resistant parts for what were originally aqueous printers, but I was unable to find more than one place that sold heater kits. Splash Of Color advertised heater kits starting at $2500, but that was out of our budget. So we developed our own heater kits (with a few improvements I might add). We have been testing and using the kits on our own printers and now will make them available to people like you along with conversion kits and the information we have learned about properly converting printers. If you are reading this you know that there's money to be made in the wide format printing industry with banners, trade show displays, window film, car wraps, and other forms of signage. You probably already have a connection to the industry... maybe as a graphic designer, a business owner, or working with another print mediums such as paper or t-shirts. You can do well in this business and you don't need to risk your home to give it a shot. I'll show you how. Sincerely,
David Callender |
THE ASK-DAVE-QUESTIONS SECTION: |
|
Who the heck are you and why should we listen to you? |
Why use solvent inks for digital printing? |
What's the difference between |
Why does a solvent printer need heaters? |
Why convert a printer instead of just buying a newer printer specifically made for solvent printing? |
My dealer said my printer can't run solvent; |
Which printers can be converted to run solvent? |
What are the risks involved in converting a printer? |
|
|
|
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT ALL THIS: "Hello Dave, I wanted to take the time to let you know how we've been doing since buying our Roland FJ 52 printer from you. We've done a few banners, some signs to promote our new venture, and just finished up our 4th vehicle wrap. I've been very satisfied with the response we've received in such a relatively short amount of time. I have to say that the printer has performed exactly as you said it would, and that your support after the sale has been second to none. If we didn't get answers from you (directly), Kevin (your associate) answered them for us. I'm sending you a few pics of some of the work we've been able to do thanks in large part to you and your willingness to help us get into large format printing. Thank you again, it was a true pleasure doing business with you. It's so refreshing to know that there are honest people out there willing to help others in the business." Joe Keith, Winner's Circle Spencer, IN
"I just wanted to call to say thanks to you guys for helping me out with my Roland CJ500 that I purchased from you. I did a bunch a research looking around to make sure that I was buying a printer from a reputable company that would help me learn about my printer and how to keep it going. I researched around on the internet and came back to your videos after a referral from my Fellers rep in Pittsburgh. Most used printers come with no warranty, support or promises. I needed someone who could help me get going with my newly purchased printer. I am glad that I found them. After I got my printer home the print quality started to go downhill. Dave and Kevin went way out of their way to get to the bottom of the problems and make sure that my printer was working as advertised. The problems ended up being linked to something that wasn't even their fault (Bad ink) but none the less they went the extra mile. It's been a couple of months since they worked they changed to the Image-Specialists ink and worked the bugs out of the printer and I have been using it daily. The output of the printer is great and has enabled me to stop outsourcing my solvent printing to the shop down the street. It is rare to find a company who treats their customers with such honesty and integrity and I am very pleased that I chose to do business with them. I have made a number of posts on forums sharing my experience and look forward to doing more business in the future. These guys are the real deal." Darijo Bacinski, D&P Custom Graphix Pittsburgh, PA
"Hey Dave, I just wanted to say thank you to both you and Kevin. When he got here, he went straight to work. He did a very fast and efficient job. (He made it look easy).. This thing hasn't had a single problem since Kevin repaired it. I haven't had to use any solvent overnight in the capping stations. Just for kicks (I know...I get my kicks easily huh?)every morning I do a test pattern without doing a cleaning cycle and it prints perfectly. As a matter of fact, the only cleaning cycles that are done now are the automatic ones that the machine does. Since the repairs it has been a stress free operation on the printing side. I appreciate the over-the-top service that you and your team have provided in response to a difficult situation. I think with most companies I would have been left to my own with repair of a used device. I know when I get ready to purchase another machine I won't hesitate to purchase from your company because I know that you'll be there to respond to my issues with quality service. Thanks again." Anthony, Qwik Signs Winchester, VA
"Dave, I wanted to let you know how I felt about the conversion you did on my Roland CJ 500. The printer has worked perfectly from the very first moment we turned it on and started printing. Your attention to detail and the information you provided us on how and when to do the maintenance has proved invaluable. I have worked with many companies over the years and none were any more willing to help and continue to help than yours. It is one thing to provide a product and quite another to provide outstanding service. I just want to thank you again for your help!" Bob Jacob, A+ Signs Barberton, OH |
|
|
EITHER STEP 1 |
...OR STEP 2 |
OR CALL US TOLL FREE AT: 1-877-369-7413
(OR AT: 330-556-5485)
If you're interested in seeing what models of printers are convertible, CLICK HERE!
 |
We are currently buying the following Roland models: FJ-50, FJ-52, CJ-500, CJ-540, and similar models. Please call us toll free at: 1-877-369-7413 or at 330-556-5485 for more information if you're looking to sell. |
MORE LINKS WITH SOME USEFUL INFORMATION: |
Solvent Printer Conversion
120 6th Dr. SW
New Philadelphia, OH 44663
© Copyright 2008 SolventPrinterConversion.com, All Rights Reserved.