Roland TrueVIS vs VersaOBJECT vs Dimensor S: Which Wide‑Format Printer Fits Your Business Best?

The Skinny

Wide‑format printing is more than just the cost of ink or size of prints—it’s about matching your machine to your workflow, your clients, your local conditions, and long‑term costs. If you’re considering a Roland printer, understanding the differences between TrueVIS, VersaOBJECT, and Dimensor S can help you make an investment that pays off for years. In this post you’ll find:

• An overview of each Roland line and what makes them distinct

• A detailed side‑by‑side feature comparison chart

• Real‑world use‑case scenarios to show who each model is best for

• Cost of ownership considerations and what to budget beyond the sticker price

• Local factors (Colorado, Front Range) that affect which choice is best

• A decision checklist so you can move forward confidently

Meet the Three: What Each Roland Line Excels At

Before comparing, here’s what each design was built for.

TrueVIS
TrueVIS is Roland’s workhorse for roll‑fed, flexible‑media printing. Think outdoor signage, vehicle wraps, vinyl decals, banners, and any job that needs a wide gamut of color and fast output. The TrueVIS line also supports print‑and‑cut workflows—so you can print designs and cut around their contours in one streamlined process. The inks used are often eco‑solvent (or newer variants) which offer durability outdoors, bright color saturation, and compatibility with common flexible substrates.

VersaOBJECT
VersaOBJECT is targeted at rigid and object printing. If your business creates graphics on boards, promotional items, plaques, or odd‑shaped surfaces (ceramic, wood, metal, plastic), VersaOBJECT is designed to handle those. It uses different ink technologies (often UV‑LED) and supports special effects like white ink, gloss, primer, and sometimes specialty surfaces. Output tends to be slower for rigid media, but it unlocks markets that pure roll‑media machines can’t serve.

Dimensor S
Dimensor S is Roland’s option for adding texture, embossing, and tactile effects. It’s not just about printing flat color—it’s about visually and physically adding dimension. If you want signs or interior décor panels with raised texture, embossed finishes, or prints that feel sculptural, Dimensor delivers. The trade‑off is that these effects slow throughput and usually cost more per square foot in materials and maintenance—but for designers, decorators, retailers, or clients who value touch & feel, this model can set you apart.

Side‑by‑Side Feature Comparison

To help you see which model aligns with your needs, here’s a detailed comparison chart:

Who Should Pick Which Machine

Here are some ideal business personas or use cases to help you decide:

Cost of Ownership Over Time

Purchasing hardware is one thing; owning it and operating it profitably is another. Here are categories of cost to plan for over the first 3–5 years, and how they differ by model line:

1. Initial Capital / Lease or Purchase Cost

   • TrueVIS tends to have lower base cost for roll‑fed machines.

   • VersaOBJECT and Dimensor S often require higher hardware investment due to more complex mechanics or UV curing or embossing capabilities.

2. Consumables

   • Roll media, laminate, eco‑solvent ink for TrueVIS.

   • Rigid boards, UV or specialty inks, gloss or primer for VersaOBJECT.

   • Texture media, embossing agents, specialty inks for Dimensor S.

3. Maintenance & Service

   • Heads, cutters, print heads, ink lines need regular maintenance on TrueVIS.

   • UV lamp replacements, flatbed leveling, substrate handling for VersaOBJECT.

   • Embossing or texture components, additional mechanical parts for Dimensor; possibly more wear on moving parts.

4. Downtime & Labor

   • Time lost during maintenance, job setup, calibration.

   • Dimensor’s texture workflows might require more finishing labor or careful post‑print handling.

5. Energy & Facility Needs

   • UV curing may demand stronger ventilation or cooling; higher power draw for lamps.

   • Eco‑solvent machines need adequate exhaust or air movement if indoors; environmental conditions may affect ink drying.

6. Support / Parts Locality

   • Having local dealer support (like ABT) is a big advantage for parts, repairs, service calls.

   • If parts need importing, lead times and shipping can raise costs—especially with unpredictable supply chain delays.

Local & Environmental Factors for Colorado / Front Range Users

Your local geography, climate, and business environment can shift the calculus. Here’s what to think about if you’re in Colorado Springs, Denver, Boulder, etc.:

• Altitude & Air Drying: Dry air can accelerate ink drying, which can both help and hurt. Too fast and ink may not adhere properly; too slow and media may curl. Machines or workflows that allow you to adjust media handling or ink curing are best.

• Temperature & Humidity Control: For both flexibility in flexible media and for embossing/texture, stable environmental conditions help preserve quality and avoid warpage.

• Transport & Media Supply: Freight cost for heavy rigid boards may be significant; sourcing locally helps cost and speed. Ability to stock up media or specialty substrates helps avoid delays.

• Local Dealer & Service: Local support reduces downtime. If ABT has dedicated techs in your area, factor that as part of your cost of ownership. Prompt service can differentiate in maintaining throughput.

• Electric, Power & Compliance: UV printers might require special exhaust or electrical compliance. Ensure your facility is ready.

Decision Checklist: Questions to Ask Before Buying

Before you commit, use this checklist to evaluate prospective purchases. Use it during demos, quote request, and budgeting.

• What media / substrates do you expect to use most often? Flex / rigid / textured?

• What average volume (square feet) per month? Will you always be busy or have down‑times?

• What special effects do clients expect (white ink, gloss, emboss, texture)?

• What finishing or object work do I want? Do I need UV curing, embossing, rigid board support?

• What is the ink / media cost locally? What are your options for supply chain or local distributors?

• What is warranty / service support locally (response time, parts availability)?

• What are facility requirements (space, power, exhaust, temperature control)?

• What lease vs purchase vs trade‑in options do you have? Any promotional pricing or incentives?

Sample ROI Comparison

Here is an example to illustrate potential returns, integrating real‑world style numbers. (Use your actual local costs to fill in.)

* Profit margins vary by client pricing, market demand; these are illustrative.

How TrueVIS, VersaOBJECT, or Dimensor S Could Fit Into Your Business Plan

• If flexibility, speed, and roll media are a core part of what you sell (e.g. wraps, signs, banners), TrueVIS is often the lowest risk path.

• If you want to expand into more creative or premium work (rigid items, objects, gift products, fine décor), VersaOBJECT adds those capabilities.

• If your brand or client base values texture, decorative effects, or tactile design, Dimensor S gives you a strong way to stand out—but ensure you price those products accordingly because customers expect higher cost for premium feel.

• Also consider combining: many businesses start with TrueVIS for volume, then add VersaOBJECT or Dimensor S later once they see demand in specialized or premium product lines.

Conclusion & Call to Action

TrueVIS, VersaOBJECT, and Dimensor S each offer powerful capabilities. The intelligent choice isn’t always the most expensive machine—it’s the one that aligns best with your clients’ needs, your operational conditions, and your long‑term profit strategy.

If your eyes are on styling, textures, and standing out, Dimensor S might be your tool. If you want to maximize volume with robust output and reliable flexible media work, TrueVIS is often the sweet spot. For businesses that want object or rigid work, VersaOBJECT opens doors to new revenue streams.

Want help making the right decision? ABT offers:

• Local demos so you can see prints in person

• Custom cost‑comparison between models using your media, volume, and labor costs

• Financing or lease options to manage upfront cost

• Support, training, and service here in the Front Range

Contact us today, bring your sample art, talk through your workflow, and let’s choose the Roland Wide‑Format solution that’s built to pay you back—not just wow people with pretty prints.