Roland Printer Summer Break Preparation

Roland Printer Summer Break Preparation

As summer break approaches, it's essential to plan ahead for your Roland printer to ensure it's ready to perform when you return. Extended periods of inactivity are not ideal for these machines—even a few weeks without circulation can lead to clogged nozzles, ink system blockages, and potentially costly service needs in the fall. Taking the right steps now can help you avoid unnecessary downtime and ensure a smooth start to the new school year.

Whenever possible, we strongly recommend leaving the printer powered on and plugged in during summer break. This keeps the ink circulating automatically, preventing it from drying inside critical components like the printheads, dampers, and cap tops.

Notes
Be sure to also perform maintenance tasks and test prints at the intervals required by Roland 

Select your printer type below for detailed instructions: 

Eco-Solvent Printers - TruVis SG/VG, BN-20 Series
    • Ensure all ink cartridges are at least 60% full
    • Leave the main power switch ON (located at the back or side of the printer)
    • Keep the printer plugged into a stable power source
    • Perform a manual cleaning before leaving, especially around the cap tops and print heads to prevent ink buildup 
    • Empty the Drain Bottle or install a new waste container before leaving, Make sure to follow the instructions on the machine to ensure the status is recorded as empty in the machine settings
    • Consider relocating the printer: If your classroom will be cleaned or the machine may be moved, relocate the printer to a safe space such as an unused office or conference room where it won’t be disturbed.

    Alert
    Run a test print and perform a manual cleaning every 2–3 weeks during the summer. This helps verify nozzle performance and keeps ink flowing throughout the system. If no one is available to do this, coordinate with your buildings summer staff
    Direct to Film Printers - BY-20 and TY-300
    Warning
    The Roland BY-20 and TY-300 uses water-based DTF inks, which are significantly more sensitive to drying and clogging than eco-solvent printers. If the printer is left unattended without proper weekly maintenance, the print heads will dry out and become permanently damaged
    • Ensure all ink cartridges are full (Especialy White)
    • Leave the main power switch ON (located at the back or side of the printer)

    • Keep the printer plugged into a stable power source
    • Empty the Drain Bottle or install a new waste container before leaving. Make sure to follow the machine prompts so the waste bottle status is properly reset in the printer settings
    • Consider relocating the printer: If your classroom will be cleaned or the printer may be moved during the summer, relocate it to a secure office or storage space where it will not be disturbed
    • Weekly maintenance is strongly recommended during extended breaks. This includes manual cleanings, nozzle checks, and test prints to keep ink circulating through the system. Preform all tasks as described in the  Roland BY-20 User Manual
    • If weekly maintenance cannot be reliably performed by school staff during the summer, we strongly recommend a professional shutdown procedure to properly prepare the printer for long-term inactivity
    Alert
    Run a test print and perform a manual cleaning at least once per week during the summer. The BY-20’s water-based ink system requires regular circulation to prevent clogging and print head damage. If no one is available to perform this maintenance, coordinate with your building’s summer staff or contact us to discuss professional shutdown options

    Flatbed UV Printers - BD-8, MO Series, LEF Series
    • Ensure all ink cartridges are at least 60% full
    • Leave the main power switch ON (located at the back or side of the printer)

    • Keep the printer plugged into a stable power source
    • Perform a manual cleaning before leaving, especially around the cap tops and print heads to prevent ink buildup 
    • Empty the Drain Bottle or install a new waste container before leaving, Make sure to follow the instructions on the machine to ensure the status is recorded as empty in the machine settings
    • Consider relocating the printer: If your classroom will be cleaned or the machine may be moved, relocate the printer to a safe space such as an unused office or conference room where it won’t be disturbed.

    Alert
    Run a test print and perform a manual cleaning every 2–3 weeks during the summer. This helps verify nozzle performance and keeps ink flowing throughout the system. If no one is available to do this, coordinate with your buildings summer staff

     Alternative Option: Certified Shutdown & Restart Service

    If the printer must be powered down, unplugged, or moved during summer break, we offer a Certified Shutdown & Restart Service to prevent damage and ensure a smooth restart.

    This  Service Includes:
    • On-site shutdown service before the break
    • Cleaning solution and labor to fully flush the system
    • All parts required for preventive maintenance (including cleaning solution, wipers and cap tops as needed)
    • On-site startup service at the beginning of the school year
    • Re-inking, full calibration, and maintenance checks to ensure the printer is classroom-ready

    To request a quote or schedule service, please submit a support ticket with your printer’s serial number. Our team will follow up to finalize scheduling.


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