I have a lot of printers...but I can honestly say these are both incredible print and cut machines and it's a tough choice. While there is some overlap there are different some differences as well. One thing that is the same about each of these is I love them both equally - so this is going to come down to YOUR needs and budget!
Let's talk about the similarities first: both machines can both print and cut. They can both contour cut. They can both print on sticker paper and vinyl. They both include software that's MAC and PC compatible. They both produce professional quality stickers.
But lets break down EXACTLY what each machine uniquely offers so you can make an informed buying decision!
Printer and Printing Size
This is probably the BIGGEST difference between these machines!The iColor 250 is a compact desktop sticker printer. It's literally smaller than some of my inkjet printers. It's so compact I included it on my list of Small But Mighty portable equipment ideal for on-the-go customizing.
The Roland BN2-20A on the other hand, while still considered a desktop printer is much larger and that means a much larger printing area and a bigger footprint. The Roland BN2-20A is not a portable machine weighing over 125 lbs.
Print Width Capabilities
This is where we see a MAJOR difference in capabilities!The size of each of the printers directly relates to the max printable width. The iColor 250 is limited to just 4.75" wide media. The printable area is actually slightly smaller at 4.25". That's perfect if you're just printing labels or stickers for things like waterbottles, laptops, and car windows or sticker sheets or sticker rolls.
The Roland BN2-20A on the other hand can accommodate media up to 20 inches wide with a print area just under 19". With it's expanded size, the Roland is up for both small jobs and large jobs.
If you're making small stickers, product labels, or roll stickers, the iColor 250 is perfect. But if you want to make large decals, if you're bulk printing hundreds of stickers at time, if you're also doing banners, or oversized graphics, you'll need the Roland.
Interestingly, the iColor 250 does NOT use registration marks. It does an excellent job of staying calibrated in about a max of 6-8" print area. I have found beyond that the print and cut tend to slightly veer off. There are work arounds for this.
Here's why this is significant - if you want to make individual cut-out shapes (like die-cut stickers that customers don't have to peel from backing), you NEED the Roland. While the iColor 250 can contour cut around any shaped sticker, it will only kiss cut - which means your stickers will always have a backing that needs to be peeled away.
The iColor 250 is optimized for sticker and label materials, while the Roland can handle almost anything you throw at it. If you want to do heat transfer vinyl for shirts, you NEED the Roland - the iColor 250 can't do HTV.
Sticker Cutting Capabilities
This is a HUGE difference that many people don't realize until after they buy!The iColor 250 can only kiss cut - meaning it can only cut through vinyl/paper but not the backing. It's not intended to print and cut die cut stickers and there is no option for perf cut, like there is on the Roland BN2-20A.
Despite not printing with registration marks, you can, however, put the iColor into lamination mode to make laminated stickers and laminated vinyl decals.
The Roland BN2-20A is a master at both kiss cut and perf cut and uses registration marks only with laminating. The ability to perf cut means the Roland has the ability to print and cut both kiss cut and die cut stickers
For most sticker applications, kiss cutting is perfect - that's how most stickers are made anyway. But if you want maximum flexibility in how you present your products, the Roland's perf-cutting ability opens up more possibilities.
Both machines are versatile, but in different ways..but almost no printer comes close to the versatility of the Roland BN2-20A. Material Compatibility and Versatility
The iColor 250 sticker printer and label maker can handle sticker paper (gloss, matte, specialty) along with printable vinyl, gold and silvery speciality sticker material, magnet rolls and BOOP (poly materials). As I mentioned you can also laminate your iColor 250 stickers. But the bottom line is the iColor 250 is pretty much just that: a sticker and label printer.
The Roland BN2-20A is a custom shop in a box. This ecosolvent printer can print on paper, sticker material, vinyl, holographic, window cling, heat transfer vinyl, signage, banner material, and even wall paper. The vast number of materials plus the nearly 20" wide printing make it extremely versatile for heat transfers, signage, stickers and other digital graphics.
Cost Comparison (the real talk)
Let's talk numbers because this is probably what you REALLY want to know! Both stickers machines are intended for small businesses and both are an investment. With that said..you could buy two iColor 250 printers for the price of a Roland BN2-20A and still have money left over.
Unfortunately, the Roland BN2-20A is now the entry-level Roland machine now that the lower priced entry-level models have been discontinued.
Comparing the two, the iColor 250 starts just under $3000. The ink system is different in that it's (inkjet) CMY only and the print head is built into the ink cartridge. Replacements run about $85.
The Roland BN2-20A's lowest price option, with a full set of ecosolvent ink, is just under $7400. Each of the 250ml CMYK cartridges runs about $108.
Which Machine is Right for your Business?
Choose the iColor 250 if you focus primarily on stickers and labels, have limited workspace, are on a tighter budget, and don't need prints wider than 4.25"
Go with the Roland BN2-20A if you want maximum versatility, need wide-format capability, plan to do heat transfer vinyl also, and have a larger budget.
My honest recommendation
Here's one last food for thought... if you want the expanded capabilities of the Roland BN2-20A but don't have the space for a large machine or don't have a need for the 20" wide printing, you could pair the iColor 250 with the extremely versatile iColor 560 White Toner printer and pretty much get nearly the same capabilities as the Roland (minus the wide format) for still less than the price of the Roland.
I have dozens of printers and a lot of equipment - the TWO printers I use most for personal use are the Roland BN2 and the iColor 250. Here's some sports gear I made for my kids' school with each of the machines just this week!
You literally can't go wrong!
.png)
No comments
Thanks for leaving a comment! We get several hundred comments a day. While we appreciate every single one of them it's nearly impossible to respond back to all of them, all the time. So... if you could help me by treating these comments like a forum where readers help readers.
In addition, don't forget to look for specific answers by using the Search Box on the blog. If you're still not having any luck, feel free to email me with your question.