The latest models of Roland DG’s TrueVIS VG3 series wide-format printer/cutters were unveiled at JAPAN SHOP 2022, the 51st International Exhibition for Shop Systems and Fixturing, which was held at Tokyo Big Sight from March 1 to 4.

Daiya Industry Co., Ltd. in Okayama Prefecture, Japan, is a manufacturer of support clothing and other medical products that uses Roland DG’s inkjet printers to produce made-to-order designs and in-house prototypes. We organized an online meeting to chat with Tomohiro Igi, who is in charge of product planning and development at Daiya.

Makers-Lab Toyohashi in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture is a makerspace run by Science Create Co., Ltd., a public-private (third sector) organization based in the area. The lab was opened in 2015 within Toyohashi Science Core, a center promoting industry-academic collaboration and supporting the creation of new industries in the Higashi-Mikawa region. As a lab that allows anyone to put their fabrication skills into practice, Makers-Lab Toyohashi is seeking to breathe new life into local industry.

COVID-19 vaccinations are progressively being rolled out throughout Japan. To ensure that the process is conducted smoothly, signage for venue guidance and warnings are essential. Roland DG manufactures and sells wide-format inkjet printers and printer/cutters that are used to produce large-format signs with excellent visibility and were used recently to assist with efforts at mass vaccination centers in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, where the company’s head office is located.

Signboards are the main line of business for POPBOX in Asakusa, Tokyo. As a specialist in the signboard industry, they also manufacture various fixtures and sell cutting sheets for promotional media. Three of Roland DG's TrueVIS VG2-540 wide-format printer/cutters are being used by POPBOX, so we had a chat with supervisor Makoto Tanabe (in photo above) to find out more.

Despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Seagull Co., Ltd. in Okayama, Japan has recorded growth in online sales of original smartphone cases and leather accessories printed with Roland DG’s LEF series UV printers.

The large Co-startup Space & Community FUSE is located in Hamamatsu City, Japan, where Roland DG headquarters is based. It runs a co-working space and fabrication studio that are jointly operated by startups and local companies. Roland DG’s UV printer and other devices are used in the fabrication studio.

The pandemic inspired Angela Bernal, who works at Roland DGA, Roland DG’s U.S. sales and marketing subsidiary, to start a home-based business with the easy-to-use BT-12 desktop direct-to-garment (DTG) printer.

Located in Otemachi, Tokyo, Inspired.Lab serves as an open innovation hub that operates beyond traditional company confines to assist users in coming up with fresh new products and services. It consists of an open office area as well as a work area for bringing ideas to life. Roland DG’s UV printer and milling machine are set up in the work area.

Roland DG’s inkjet printers were featured in TV programs and YouTube videos where they were used to create merchandise for a girl band story franchise created by Victor Entertainment.

We recently had the opportunity to interview AIMARK, a fabrication company in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, Japan that began using a TrueVIS VG2-540 wide-format printer/cutter to produce nameplates and signs for various applications ranging from shipping to industrial equipment.

In autumn, Zou-no-hana Park in Yokohama Port, Japan, was illuminated by the Hikari no Mi (Shining Smile Fruit) light-based installation that featured trees adorned with smiling faces drawn by children. Visitors normally take part in person during the annual event to create drawings. Since this was difficult to achieve this year, however, the event took on a new online approach, where Roland DG's UV printers were utilized for the event.