Mimaki UJF MKII e vs Roland MO Series: What's the Difference?

When it comes to small-format UV flatbed printing, both the Mimaki UJF MKII e Series and Roland MO Series offer exceptional print quality, versatility, and the ability to personalise an enormous range of products.

From promotional merchandise and industrial components to packaging prototypes, signage, and personalised gifts, both printer families are capable of producing vibrant, durable prints directly onto a wide variety of materials.

So how do they compare, and which system is the best fit for your business?

At a Glance

Smaller Model (approx. A3)

Larger Model (approx. A2)

While specifications provide a useful starting point, the biggest differences between these platforms are found in their workflow, installation flexibility, automation features, and day-to-day operation.

Key Differences at a Glance

The Mimaki UJF MKII e Series has earned an excellent reputation throughout the UV printing industry for its image quality and versatility.

Features such as MFD2 dithering technology help produce smooth gradients and fine detail, while the Roland offers an expanded colour swatch with the option or Red and Orange ink. 

Both printer families support white ink, clear ink, and primer, opening the door to a wide range of creative applications including:

• Spot varnish effects

• Textured finishes

• Raised graphics

• Packaging prototypes

• Personalised products

• Braille and tactile signage

• Layered special effects

They also both offer a Long Drop / 'Distance' mode, which allows printing onto uneven surfaces and irregular objects that can be challenging for some flatbed printers.

When it comes to white ink performance specifically, many users find Mimaki's white ink formulation offers particularly strong opacity and brightness, especially when printing onto coloured, transparent, or dark substrates. While both systems are capable of producing excellent results, businesses producing large volumes of dark surface applications may appreciate this characteristic.

Ease of Use and Automation

The Roland MO Series represents a more recent approach to UV flatbed printing, with a strong emphasis on efficiency and operator-friendly workflows.

Features such as automatic media height detection, intuitive touchscreen controls, and simplified job setup help reduce operator intervention and speed up production.

For businesses looking to minimise training requirements or improve productivity across multiple operators, these workflow enhancements can make a noticeable difference.

The Roland MO Series also benefits from DG Connect, Roland DG's cloud-based monitoring and management platform. Features include:

• Remote machine monitoring

• Maintenance notifications

• Performance tracking

• Production statistics

• Basic design tools

• Remote job submission capabilities

While remote job submission is often more relevant for roll-fed production environments, the monitoring and management features provide useful visibility for busy print operations.

Another advantage is platform flexibility, with support for both Windows and Mac environments.

The Mimaki UJF MKII e Series remains highly capable and production-focused, but its strengths are concentrated around specialist applications, proven reliability, and the maturity of a platform that has been trusted throughout the UV printing industry for many years.

Installation and Workspace Considerations

One of the most overlooked differences between these printer families is how they fit into your workspace.

The Roland MO Series has been designed with installation flexibility in mind. The printer can be tilted during transportation and installation, allowing it to navigate staircases, tight access routes, and standard doorways more easily than many traditional flatbed systems.

Once installed on its stand, integrated castors allow the printer to be repositioned within the workspace whenever required.

This flexibility can be particularly valuable for businesses operating in smaller production areas, workshops, retail environments, or shared workspaces where floor space is limited.

The Mimaki UJF MKII e Series is typically installed, levelled, and fixed into position. While relocation is possible, it generally requires significantly more planning and is not intended as part of normal day-to-day operation.

Service access should also be considered when planning installation, as sufficient space around the machine is normally required for maintenance and engineering visits.

For customers where space utilisation is a key consideration, the Roland's mobility and installation flexibility may provide a practical advantage.

Integrated Extraction and Operator Comfort

UV printing produces significantly less odour than many solvent printing technologies, but extraction and filtration can still improve the working environment.

The Roland MO Series offers an optional table system with integrated extraction, directing airflow through activated carbon filtration to help reduce odours around the printer.

This integrated solution can simplify installation and create a more comfortable production environment without requiring additional standalone equipment.

The Mimaki UJF MKII e Series can also be operated alongside extraction systems, although these are typically implemented using third-party filtration units or external ducting solutions.

Businesses looking for a more self-contained installation may find Roland's integrated approach appealing.

Materials and Application Versatility

In practical terms, both printer families can print directly onto an enormous range of materials, including:

• Acrylic

• Perspex®

• PVC

• Foamex®

• Polycarbonate

• ABS plastics

• PETG

• Wood

• MDF

• Plywood

• Glass

• Aluminium

• Stainless steel

• Powder-coated metals

• Leather

• Faux leather

• Ceramic tiles

• Packaging materials

• Promotional products

• Phone cases

• USB drives

• Keyrings

• Awards and trophies

• Signage panels

• Industrial components

• Personalised gifts

Both platforms also support printable primer inks, helping improve adhesion on particularly challenging substrates.

It's important to note that UV adhesion is influenced by more than just the printer itself. Different material suppliers, manufacturing processes, coatings, artwork designs, and ink coverage levels can all affect durability and adhesion performance.

For this reason, testing with your own materials is always recommended before committing to large-scale production.

Why We Sell Both

As a supplier of both Mimaki and Roland DG equipment, we're often asked which brand is "better".

The honest answer is that neither platform is universally better than the other.

Both machines produce outstanding print quality, support similar applications, and utilise modern UV printing technology capable of delivering professional results.

The right choice typically comes down to the priorities of your business.

For some customers, the proven reputation of the Mimaki UJF MKII e Series, its specialist print capabilities, and its strong white ink performance make it the ideal fit.

For others, the Roland MO Series' installation flexibility, automation features, integrated extraction options, and user-friendly workflow provide a better match for their production environment.

That's why we continue to offer both platforms and help customers evaluate which solution best suits their products, workspace, production requirements, and future growth plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can both printers print onto acrylic?

Yes. Both the Mimaki UJF MKII e Series and Roland MO Series are commonly used for direct printing onto clear, coloured, and frosted acrylic materials.

Can both printers print white ink?

Yes. Both printer families support white ink, clear ink, and primer ink, enabling multilayer printing and a wide range of special effects.

Can UV flatbed printers print braille?

Yes. Both systems can produce raised print effects suitable for tactile signage and braille applications.

Which printer has the larger print area?

The Roland MO-240 offers the largest printable area in this comparison at 610 x 458mm, while the Mimaki UJF6042 MKII e offers 600 x 420mm.

Which printer can print onto thicker objects?

The Roland MO Series supports media up to 204mm thick, compared with 153mm on the Mimaki UJF MKII e Series.

Do I need extraction for a UV flatbed printer?

While UV printers generate relatively low odour compared with many other print technologies, extraction or filtration is often recommended in production environments. Roland offers an integrated extraction option, while Mimaki users typically utilise third-party extraction systems.

Final Thoughts

Both the Mimaki UJF MKII e Series and Roland MO Series are excellent UV flatbed printers capable of producing professional-quality results across a huge variety of applications.

Rather than one machine being universally better than the other, the decision comes down to your workflow, available space, production priorities, and the types of products you produce most often.

The Mimaki UJF MKII e Series continues to excel in specialist applications, fine detail reproduction, and established UV production environments, while the Roland MO Series brings a fresh focus on automation, flexibility, and ease of ownership.

If you're unsure which system is right for your business, speaking with a UV printing specialist and arranging sample testing on your own materials is always the best place to start.