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Roland DG Dimensor S

This unique machine is both an inkjet printer and a texture embellishment device in the same unit, says Simon Eccles

the inks are water-based. Roland says they
comply with safety standards such as AgBB
and A+ certification for indoor use as wall
coverings.
The more heat, the higher the foam rises
(up to 1.5 mm as standard), while areas pro-
tected by structural ink stay flat. If you need
more pronounced effects, Dimense Media
Plus has a thicker foamable layer. Gradients
in texture are achievable through halftone
in the structural ink, so designers can vary
depth.
The foamed areas have a fine texture due to
the bubbling, but the final surface is not
rough or bubbly. “This texture enhances
the tactile experience and is consistent with
What does it do? Rob Goleniowski, head of sales for UK and the aesthetic intent of the media used,” says
Dimensor S is a 1.6m wide format roll-to- Ireland, says it is aimed at the interior Goleniowski.
roll printer that combines digital colour decor, art, wallcoverings, signage and pack- While there are just the standard colours
printing with raised ‘dimensional’ digital aging sectors, where tactile and customisa- achievable from CMYK, the media is avail-
embossing in a single pass. It uses a com- Specifications ble surface textures can add value. While able in gold, silver, pearlescent and ‘chame-
bination of CMYK water-based latex inks Process: Piezo Roland says that wallpaper and fine-art leon’ colours as well as white with different
and a transparent ‘structural’ ink onto inkjet with two reproduction are “key verticals,” applica- finishes. There is no white ink to block the
specially-coated media that expands heads in staggered tions also include packaging, digital con- media colours out, however, so the CMYK
under heat (applied by an inline calen- array, inline heater crete (as reverse stencil moulds), roll-up result is influenced by the underlying col-
for structural print-
dering roller). The result is ‘tactile’ tex- ing on special banners, and others. our too.
tured prints up to 1.5 mm high. media At Fespa 2023 a further version, Dimensor The process also allows for some manual
The system was developed by Dimense, a SG, was launched, but is not sold in the UK. application of ‘paintable’ colours and tex-
spin-off from Lithuanian ink maker Inks: This applies a glitter effect. tures applied by hand using a brush or
Veika, which developed the structural Water-based CMYK roller.
plus structural ink,
ink. The overall technology is trademark- bulk supply using How does it work? The print unit has an integral ceramic cal-
branded as Dimense, while the printer- pouches The Dimensor S looks like a standard wide endering system with five heat zones, so no
heater hardware itself is referred to as the format inkjet, which it largely is – the post-process is needed. An extraction unit
Dimensor printer range. Heater: effects come from the media. Despite the with filtering is optional to manage heat
Five-zone ceramic
Roland DG took a controlling interest in calendering system, Roland involvement, DG Dimense said that and air quality. Goleniowski says “It’s more
2023 and sells the system as a joint ven- built-in it developed and built the printer itself and about thermal control and ventilation than
ture under the name DG Dimense, but it is not an adapted Roland unit. It takes chemical fumes, due to the printer’s water-
Veika continues to play a key role in pro- Resolution: media up to 1.6m with a maximum print based, PVC-free eco-credentials.”
duction and technical development. 720x1,440dpi width of 1.58m. A Caldera VisualRip+ front-end is included
The Dimense process relies on a heat-acti- as standard. This has features useful for
When was it launched and what mar- vated foaming media called Ecodeco. The wallcoverings, such as step & repeat and til-
kets is it aimed at? structural ink prevents expansion where it ing, as well as file processing and colour
Dimense previewed its technology with a is printed, so it is in effect a negative pro- management. There are also materials for
printer and samples at Drupa in 2016. The cess. The CMYK inks are printed simulta- installing the wall coverings, including
Dimensor S was launched in 2018, and neously, allowing precise control of image adhesives and rollers, though these may be
Roland DG started UK sales and support at and texture positioning. similar to standard wall covering accesso-
the beginning of 2024. The media is PVC and plasticiser free and ries. There is no self-adhesive media.
Dimense previewed its technology with a printer and samples at Drupa in 2016.

30 PrintWeek MENA July 2025 www.printweekmena.com