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Roland XP-640 Review: Professional Eco-Solvent Printer Redefining High-Speed Large Format Printing

The Roland XP-640 eco-solvent printer represents a significant leap forward in professional large format printing technology. Combining unprecedented print speeds with the legendary TrueVIS quality and introducing revolutionary Red ink technology, this 64-inch printer is designed for sign makers, print shops, and graphics professionals who demand both productivity and exceptional output quality.

Why the Roland XP-640 Changes the Game for Professional Printing

In the competitive world of large format printing, speed and quality have traditionally been opposing forces. The Roland XP-640 eco-solvent printer shatters this compromise, delivering twice the productivity of previous TrueVIS print-only models whilst maintaining the stunning colour accuracy and reliability that Roland DG is renowned for.

After comprehensive testing in real-world production environments—from high-volume banner printing to precise vehicle graphics—we can confidently state that the Roland XP-640 sets a new benchmark for professional Roland printing technology. But what makes this printer truly exceptional? Let’s examine the technology, performance, and practical advantages that position the XP-640 as a game-changer.

Roland XP-640 at a Glance

  • Print width: 64 inches (1,615mm maximum printing width)
  • Revolutionary speed: Up to 22.5 m²/h in dual CMYK, 15.2 m²/h in 8-colour mode
  • Widest colour gamut: Industry-first Red ink technology for unmatched colour reproduction
  • Productivity: Twice the output of previous TrueVIS print-only models
  • Award recognition: Keypoint Intelligence BLI Pick Award 2025 with 5-star ratings
  • Complete solution: Includes VersaWorks 6 RIP software and Roland DG Connect app integration

Award-Winning Performance: The Roland XP-640 has been recognised with the prestigious Keypoint Intelligence BLI Pick Award 2025, earning 5-star ratings for Image Quality, Color Accuracy, Color Gamut, and Usability. Keypoint Intelligence praised the XP-640’s “wide colour gamut and unmatched colour reproduction” that “sets a new standard in the graphic arts field”.

Revolutionary Speed Without Compromising TrueVIS Quality

The Roland XP-640’s performance credentials are impressive by any measure. At the heart of this eco-solvent printer are newly designed dual staggered printheads that eject finer ink droplets at higher densities, enabling high-resolution output with significantly fewer passes.

Real-World Print Speeds

Unlike marketing specifications that rarely translate to actual production speeds, the Roland XP-640 delivers measurable productivity gains:

  • Dual CMYK configuration: Up to 22.5 m²/h—perfect for high-volume banner and signage production where speed is critical
  • 8-colour setup (CMYKLkOrGrRe): Up to 15.2 m²/h on vinyl—exceptional speed whilst maintaining the expanded colour gamut for demanding graphics
  • Production comparison: Twice the productivity of previous TrueVIS print-only models whilst maintaining identical quality standards

The Technology Behind the Speed

The dual staggered printhead configuration represents a significant engineering advancement. By positioning printheads in an optimised staggered arrangement, the Roland XP-640 achieves higher print densities with fewer head passes. This translates directly to faster throughput without the quality compromises typically associated with high-speed printing.

Combined with fast-drying TH inks, the Roland XP-640 enables same-day lamination for high-volume users—a crucial advantage for print businesses working to tight deadlines. No more waiting overnight for prints to cure before finishing.

Productivity in Practice

During our testing, we ran continuous banner production over extended periods. The Roland XP-640 maintained consistent quality throughout marathon print runs, with the automatic media take-up system handling long runs without operator intervention. For print service providers juggling multiple jobs, this reliability translates directly to profitable production capacity.

Widest Colour Gamut in Its Class: Revolutionary Red Ink Technology

Whilst speed improvements are impressive, the Roland XP-640’s colour technology truly sets it apart from competing eco-solvent printers. Roland DG has introduced a newly developed Red ink that creates the widest colour gamut ever achieved in a TrueVIS printer.

Why Red Ink Matters for Sign Graphics

Red is the most frequently used and critical colour in sign graphics, vehicle wraps, and corporate branding. Traditional CMYK configurations struggle to reproduce vibrant, accurate reds—particularly the pure reds, oranges, and challenging corporate colours that clients demand.

The Roland XP-640’s dedicated Red ink solves this longstanding challenge, enabling exceptional accuracy in reproducing:

  • Pure, vibrant reds for signage and vehicle graphics
  • Accurate oranges for corporate branding and safety signage
  • Challenging corporate colours previously difficult to match
  • Sunset and landscape photography with natural, vivid colour transitions

True Rich Color Technology

Combined with Light Black, Green, and Orange inks, the Roland XP-640’s True Rich Color preset delivers:

  • Vivid colours with neutral greys: No colour casts in supposedly neutral tones
  • Smooth gradations: Seamless colour transitions without banding
  • Natural skin tones: Critical for portrait photography and people-focused graphics
  • Reduced ink consumption: True Rich Color achieves the highest TrueVIS image quality whilst using less ink—lowering costs on every job

Colour Accuracy That Wins Clients

For print businesses, accurate colour reproduction isn’t just about technical specifications—it’s about winning and retaining clients. The ability to match brand colours accurately on the first attempt reduces waste, saves time, and builds customer confidence. The Roland XP-640’s expanded colour gamut provides a genuine competitive advantage in a crowded market.

Engineered for Maximum Productivity: Features That Save Time & Money

The Roland XP-640 includes productivity-enhancing features specifically designed to streamline workflows and maximise output in real-world production environments:

Automatic Media Take-Up System

Effortless loading with tension mode provides incredible media stability during roll-to-roll printing. Handle long runs without operator intervention, freeing staff for other tasks.

Perforated Sheet Cutting

Exclusive Roland DG feature adds perforations for high-volume jobs, eliminating cutting tools and dramatically reducing post-processing time. Tear sheets apart cleanly without additional equipment.

Automatic Gap Adjustment

TrueVIS optical registration technology automatically determines gaps and calibrates, eliminating manual testing when switching media types. Reduce setup time and material waste.

7-Inch Colour LCD Touchscreen

Intuitive control panel provides quick access to printer functions, ink levels, and job status. Modern interface simplifies operation and reduces training time for new operators.

Individual Pinch Roller Control

Raise or lower individual pinch rollers during operation without cancelling jobs. Critical for working with varying media thicknesses and saving valuable materials.

Minimal Maintenance Requirements

Standard maintenance tasks (caps, wipers, cleaners, flushing sponges) are simple enough for users to perform without calling service engineers. Reduce downtime and service costs.

Professional Software Suite Included

Every Roland XP-640 includes VersaWorks 6 RIP software, providing powerful tools for effortless print output management without additional software costs:

  • Five print queues and hot folders: Organise workflows for different job types and clients
  • Unlimited queue settings: Configure custom profiles for frequently used media and settings
  • Advanced nesting for up to 86 jobs: Maximise material usage and reduce waste on mixed job batches
  • Predictive ink calculator: Accurate cost estimation before committing to print
  • Approximate Color Finder: Precise colour matching with minimal effort—no more endless test prints

Roland DG Connect App Integration

The Roland DG Connect app provides dashboard visibility of all printers in your production environment:

  • Real-time operational monitoring from mobile devices
  • Simple profit calculation tools for accurate job costing
  • Profile downloads and remote management capabilities
  • Maintenance scheduling and consumables tracking

Versatile Applications: What You Can Print with the Roland XP-640

The Roland XP-640 accommodates media widths from 259mm to 1,625mm with a maximum printing width of 1,615mm, supporting an extensive range of applications. Maximum media thickness of 1.0mm with liner and roll weights up to 45kg ensure compatibility with virtually any substrate.

Primary Applications

Vehicle Graphics & Wraps

The Roland XP-640 excels at vehicle graphics production. The wide colour gamut—particularly the Red ink technology—reproduces brand colours accurately, whilst fast print speeds enable competitive turnaround times. Fast-drying TH inks allow same-day lamination, crucial for busy vehicle wrap businesses.

Banners & Billboards

High-volume banner production benefits enormously from the XP-640’s speed capabilities. At 22.5 m²/h in dual CMYK mode, you can produce large banner runs efficiently whilst maintaining excellent outdoor durability. The automatic media take-up system handles long runs without operator intervention.

Event Marketing & Retail Graphics

Event graphics demand vibrant colours and fast turnaround—both XP-640 strengths. Produce eye-catching displays, retail point-of-sale graphics, and exhibition stands with confidence in colour accuracy and print longevity.

Window & Floor Graphics

The versatile media handling accommodates speciality substrates for window and floor graphics applications. The expanded colour gamut ensures graphics remain vibrant and attention-grabbing even in challenging lighting conditions.

Backlit Signage

Backlit applications showcase the XP-640’s colour technology beautifully. The wide colour gamut and smooth gradations create stunning illuminated signage that stands out day and night.

Wall Coverings & Interior Graphics

From retail interiors to office spaces, the Roland XP-640 produces commercial wall coverings with excellent colour consistency and durability. Handle wide-format wall graphics up to 1,615mm without seams.

Media Compatibility

The Roland XP-640 works with an extensive range of eco-solvent compatible media:

  • Self-adhesive vinyl (calendered and cast)
  • Banner materials (PVC, mesh, fabric)
  • Backlit films
  • Heat transfer materials
  • Canvas and textile
  • Wallpaper and wall covering materials
  • Window and floor graphic films

RGB UK stocks a comprehensive range of compatible media specifically tested with Roland eco-solvent printers.

Outstanding Cost Performance: Lowest Running Costs in Category

The Roland XP-640 delivers exceptional value through innovative ink technology and intelligent print settings. Understanding true running costs is crucial for print business profitability—the XP-640 excels in this critical area.

Economical Ink System

New fast-drying TH inks are available in economical 500ml cartridges, providing:

  • Low cost per millilitre compared to smaller cartridge systems
  • Reduced cartridge changes and associated downtime
  • Lower packaging waste and environmental impact
  • Same-day lamination capability, improving workflow efficiency

RGB UK supplies genuine Roland TH inks with competitive pricing and fast delivery, ensuring you maintain low operating costs without compromise on quality.

True Rich Color Reduces Ink Consumption

The True Rich Color print setting achieves the highest TrueVIS image quality whilst using less ink—a genuine innovation that impacts your bottom line on every job. This intelligent ink management reduces costs without sacrificing output quality, maximising profitability on high-volume production.

Reduced Waste Through Accuracy

The Roland XP-640’s colour accuracy and automatic calibration features reduce reprints and test prints:

  • Automatic gap adjustment eliminates manual testing when changing media
  • Approximate Color Finder reduces colour matching iterations
  • Predictive ink calculator prevents mid-job ink shortages
  • Consistent quality reduces customer rejections and reprints

Low Maintenance Costs

User-serviceable maintenance tasks reduce reliance on expensive service calls. Standard consumables (caps, wipers, cleaners) are simple to replace without technical expertise, and RGB UK stocks all Roland spare parts and consumables for fast delivery.

Total Cost of Ownership

When calculating total cost of ownership, consider:

  • Ink costs: Lowest in category with economical 500ml TH inks
  • Media efficiency: Advanced nesting reduces waste
  • Labour costs: Automated features reduce operator time
  • Reliability: Minimal downtime means consistent production capacity
  • Quality: Fewer reprints and customer returns

For print businesses focused on profitability, the Roland XP-640 delivers exceptional return on investment.

Who Should Buy the Roland XP-640 Eco-Solvent Printer?

Ideal for These Businesses

High-Volume Sign & Graphics Producers

If you’re running continuous banner production, vehicle graphics, or retail signage, the Roland XP-640’s speed advantages directly impact your bottom line. The 22.5 m²/h throughput in dual CMYK mode enables you to accept larger orders and tighter deadlines whilst maintaining quality standards.

Quality-Focused Print Service Providers

Print businesses that differentiate on quality rather than price alone will appreciate the XP-640’s colour accuracy and award-winning output. The expanded colour gamut provides a competitive advantage when pitching against competitors using standard CMYK systems.

Vehicle Wrap Specialists

Vehicle wrap businesses need accurate brand colour reproduction, durable outdoor graphics, and fast turnaround. The Roland XP-640 delivers on all three requirements, with the added benefit of same-day lamination capability.

Growing Print Businesses

If you’re scaling up from a smaller eco-solvent printer, the XP-640 provides the production capacity and quality to compete for larger contracts whilst maintaining the reliability and ease of use expected from Roland DG.

Consider Alternatives If…

The Roland XP-640 might not be optimal if:

  • You primarily print short runs and don’t need high-volume capacity
  • Budget constraints require a smaller investment (consider the Roland TrueVIS SG3-540 print & cut for integrated cutting)
  • You need print & cut functionality in a single device
  • You work exclusively with rigid substrates (consider UV flatbed options)

Roland XP-640 Frequently Asked Questions

What is the print speed of the Roland XP-640?

The Roland XP-640 achieves up to 22.5 m²/h in dual CMYK configuration and up to 15.2 m²/h on vinyl in 8-colour setup (CMYKLkOrGrRe). This represents twice the productivity of previous TrueVIS print-only models whilst maintaining identical quality standards.

What makes the Roland XP-640’s colour gamut special?

The Roland XP-640 features newly developed Red ink technology that creates the widest colour gamut ever achieved in a TrueVIS printer. This enables exceptional accuracy in reproducing reds, oranges, and challenging corporate colours that standard CMYK configurations struggle with. Combined with Light Black, Green, and Orange inks, it delivers vivid colours with neutral greys and smooth gradations.

Can the Roland XP-640 print same-day jobs?

Yes, the fast-drying TH inks enable same-day lamination for high-volume users. This significantly improves workflow efficiency for print businesses working to tight deadlines, eliminating the overnight drying time required by many competing systems.

What media types work with the Roland XP-640?

The Roland XP-640 accommodates media widths from 259mm to 1,625mm, with maximum media thickness of 1.0mm with liner and roll weights up to 45kg. Compatible media includes self-adhesive vinyl, banner materials, backlit films, heat transfer materials, canvas, wallpaper, and window/floor graphic films.

Is the Roland XP-640 difficult to maintain?

No, standard maintenance tasks such as replacing caps, wipers, wiper cleaners, and flushing sponges are simple enough for users to perform themselves without calling a service engineer. This reduces downtime and operating costs significantly.

What software comes with the Roland XP-640?

Every Roland XP-640 includes VersaWorks 6 RIP software with five print queues, five hot folders, unlimited queue settings, advanced nesting for up to 86 jobs, predictive ink calculator, and Approximate Color Finder. The Roland DG Connect app is also included for remote monitoring and management.

How does the Roland XP-640 compare to UV printers?

The Roland XP-640 eco-solvent printer excels for flexible media applications (vinyl, banners, canvas) with superior outdoor durability and lower operating costs than UV systems. UV printers are better suited for rigid substrates. For flexible media production, eco-solvent technology offers better durability and cost performance.

What warranty does the Roland XP-640 come with?

The Roland XP-640 is backed by Roland DG’s industry-leading 2-year warranty and customer support, ensuring your investment is protected and your business keeps running smoothly.

Why did the Roland XP-640 win the BLI Pick Award 2025?

The Roland XP-640 received the Keypoint Intelligence BLI Pick Award 2025 with 5-star ratings for Image Quality, Color Accuracy, Color Gamut, and Usability. Keypoint Intelligence praised the XP-640’s wide colour gamut and unmatched colour reproduction that “sets a new standard in the graphic arts field”.

The Verdict: Roland XP-640 Raises the Bar for Eco-Solvent Printing

The Roland XP-640 eco-solvent printer represents a genuine advancement in professional large format printing technology. By doubling productivity whilst maintaining legendary TrueVIS quality and introducing revolutionary Red ink technology for the widest colour gamut in its class, Roland DG has created a printer that delivers tangible business advantages.

Key Strengths

  • Exceptional speed: Twice the productivity of previous TrueVIS print-only models without quality compromise
  • Industry-leading colour: Revolutionary Red ink creates widest colour gamut for accurate brand colour reproduction
  • Award-winning quality: Keypoint Intelligence BLI Pick Award 2025 with 5-star ratings validates performance claims
  • Lowest running costs: Economical TH inks and True Rich Color settings maximise profitability
  • Productivity features: Automatic take-up, perforation cutting, and gap adjustment streamline workflows
  • Roland reliability: Built to legendary quality standards with user-serviceable maintenance

Minor Considerations

  • Premium positioning means higher initial investment than entry-level eco-solvent printers
  • Print-only configuration (no integrated cutting)—consider SG3 series if cut functionality required
  • 64-inch width may be excessive for businesses printing primarily smaller formats

Final Recommendation

For sign makers, print shops, and graphics professionals serious about combining high-volume production capacity with exceptional output quality, the Roland XP-640 eco-solvent printer is an outstanding investment. The speed improvements deliver real productivity gains, the revolutionary Red ink technology provides genuine competitive advantage, and the award-winning quality ensures customer satisfaction.

With the lowest running costs in its category, industry-leading 2-year warranty, and comprehensive software suite included, the Roland XP-640 delivers exceptional return on investment for businesses focused on profitable growth.

Rating: 5/5 stars – The Roland XP-640 sets a new benchmark for professional eco-solvent printing, delivering genuine innovation and tangible business benefits.

Ready to Transform Your Print Production with the Roland XP-640?

RGB UK is an authorised Roland DG partner providing comprehensive support for your Roland XP-640 investment, including expert installation, comprehensive operator training, ongoing technical support from certified Roland specialists, and competitive pricing on genuine Roland TH inks and media.