Abeille Imprim partners with Roland DG Connect to keep production running around the clock

With Roland DG technology and Connect software, Abeille Imprim can keep production running overnight with greater confidence, efficiency and control. The French screenprinting 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.

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, point of sale 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.

At the centre of Abeille Imprim’s digital operation is the  TrueVis VG3‑540 eco solvent printer/cutter.

‘This is the third Roland machine we have had over the past 20 years,’ explained Ghislaine Ferrer, layout artist, Abeille Imprim. ‘It is 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 use 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,’ said 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 explained. ‘Or we would run out of material to finish a print, and the job would end up in the bin.’

The introduction of 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 the company 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 explained. ‘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,’ said Ghislaine. ‘It is 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 will have enough media to complete the whole print,’ said Ghislaine.

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 set up 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 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 explained.

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,’ she stated.

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.

Looking ahead, the company sees speed and efficiency as essential to its continued development. Faster printing, unattended production and improved media visibility are already enabling it to handle larger volumes and serve a broader customer base.

While screenprinting remains at the heart of the business, digital printing – and increasingly supported by 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.