With Roland DG technology and Roland DG Connect software, Abeille Imprim can keep production running overnight with greater confidence, efficiency and control. The France-based screen-printing specialist is able to meet spikes in demand without relying on guesswork, unnecessary material changes or longer production hours.
While screen printing remains central to its operation, digital printing plays a critical supporting role. Roland DG technology allows the company to take on a broader range of jobs where speed, flexibility and short turnaround times matter most, while Roland DG Connect helps the team manage media usage, reduce waste and maximise production capacity.
Screen and digital printing across diverse media
Abeille Imprim works across a broad mix of materials and applications, including plastic, glass, metal, cardboard and fabric, as well as both flat and three-dimensional surfaces. Using digital printing alongside screen printing allows the business to respond efficiently to everything from one-off prototypes to small and medium production runs.
The company produces a wide range of outputs, from corporate materials such as business cards, brochures, POS displays and signage to personalised items including invitations, labels, stickers, promotional products and printed textiles. This hybrid approach enables Abeille Imprim to meet varied customer demands without sacrificing quality or consistency.
Reliable overnight printing without media guesswork
At the centre of Abeille Imprim’s digital operation is the Roland DG TrueVis VG3‑540 eco-solvent printer/cutter.
“This is the third Roland machine we’ve had over the past 20 years,” explains Ghislaine Ferrer, Layout Artist, Abeille Imprim. “It’s robust and reliable and that consistency is very important for us.”
That reliability is especially important for unattended overnight production, where jobs must run consistently without interruption.
Before adopting Roland DG Connect’s media inventory management functionality, managing media usage was far less precise. Remaining material was estimated visually, often forcing the business to replace rolls earlier than necessary to avoid the risk of running out mid-print.
“Before DG Connect, I didn’t take any risks,” says Ghislaine. “If I thought the media wasn’t sufficient, I would start a new roll.”
At times, material shortages created operational challenges, including incomplete print jobs or even the need to turn away work entirely.
“We had to turn down orders due to shortages or stockouts,” Ghislaine explains. “Or we would run out of material to finish a print, and the job would end up in the bin.”
Roland DG Connect Tracks Media More Accurately
The introduction of Roland DG Connect’s media inventory management tools has transformed how Abeille Imprim manages production planning and media usage day to day.
By accurately tracking how much media remains on each roll, the software allows Abeille Imprim to make better production decisions while minimising unnecessary waste. Rather than discarding partially used rolls, the team can confidently use the remaining media before switching materials.
“Inventory management makes it possible to print using the remaining amount on a roll before changing it, so you don’t waste material unnecessarily,” Ghislaine explains. “Thanks to the training at Roland, I discovered this function, and since then I use it every day.”
This visibility is particularly valuable during overnight production.
“I run the machine at night for large print/cut label runs,” says Ghislaine. “It’s important for me to know whether I can start the run overnight and how much is left on the roll in the morning to print the rest.”
The same applies to larger-format applications such as banners and roll-ups, where accurate media forecasting is essential to completing jobs successfully.
“When I print long lengths like banners or roll-ups, I need to know whether I’ll have enough media to complete the whole print.”
Reducing waste, saving time and improving workflows
Since implementing Roland DG Connect’s media management functionality, Abeille Imprim has seen a noticeable reduction in wasted material, alongside improvements in day-to-day efficiency.
The ability to accurately manage remaining media has also streamlined production decisions and reduced setup time when starting jobs.
Beyond media tracking, additional automation features within the Roland ecosystem have also helped simplify machine management and reduce the likelihood of operator error.
Because Ghislaine is the sole operator using the Roland machine, reminders and automated maintenance prompts play an important role in keeping the printer performing consistently.
“The automation and task reminders – such as shaking the ink and cleaning the heads – help you take better care of the machine,” she explains.
The updated RIP workflow has also introduced efficiencies compared with Abeille Imprim’s previous generation device.
“Being able to create multiple media profiles in the RIP helps me save time. And the machine’s media handling system is also very important, because it means that there are few errors, which saves time and protects margins.”
Increasing print capacity without increasing labour
One of the biggest operational advantages delivered by the VG3‑540 is its ability to support unattended printing. Features such as the automated media take‑up reel and cutting functionality allow large print runs to be started at the end of the working day and completed overnight.
By extending production beyond standard working hours, Abeille Imprim has increased capacity without increasing labour. Jobs are ready for finishing or dispatch the following morning, helping the business reduce turnaround times and take on larger volumes of work.
Automation and reliability support business growth
Looking ahead, Abeille Imprim sees speed and efficiency as essential to its continued development. Faster printing, unattended production and improved media visibility are already enabling the company to handle larger volumes and serve a broader customer base.
While screen printing remains at the heart of the business, digital printing powered by Roland DG – and increasingly supported by Roland DG Connect software – has become indispensable to daily production.
Together, the combination of reliable hardware, automation and intelligent workflow management is helping Abeille Imprim reduce waste, improve efficiency and continue growing with confidence.
