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Wide-Format Printer Buyer's Guide
The Roland TrueVIS VG3-640 and its 54-inch sibling the VG3-540 have long been the benchmark for print-and-cut quality in Ontario sign shops. Now that the Roland TrueVIS VG4-640 is available, shops are weighing whether the newer generation justifies its higher price tag — or whether the VG3 is the smarter buy right now. Here is every meaningful difference, side by side.
Roland TrueVIS VG3-640 vs VG4-640: Quick Snapshot
You can view our current listings for the Roland TrueVIS VG3 Series and the Roland TrueVIS VG4 Series, or read on for the full comparison.
Current Generation
TrueVIS VG3 Series
$16,500 – $18,995 CAD
$12,495 – $14,495 USD
- TR2 eco-solvent ink
- Up to 1,200 dpi
- 131–138 ft2/h standard (4C)
- Up to 10 ink channels
- VersaWorks 6 RIP
- 7" LCD touchscreen
- 1-year warranty
- GREENGUARD Gold certified
Latest Generation New
TrueVIS VG4 Series
$19,995 – $22,995 CAD
$14,195 – $16,295 USD
- TR3 eco-solvent ink — GBL-free + Red
- Up to 1,800 dpi
- 173–183 ft2/h standard (4C)
- 30–35% less ink vs VG3
- VersaWorks 7 RIP
- 7" touch panel + Direct Print
- 1-year warranty
- GREENGUARD Gold certified
Bottom line up front
The VG4 is faster, higher resolution, and cheaper to run — with Red ink for the widest TrueVIS colour gamut ever (~97% Pantone). The VG3 costs $3,495–$4,000 CAD less upfront, and both machines carry a 1-year warranty. With TR3 ink $31/cartridge cheaper than TR2 and 30–35% lower consumption, Ontario shops running 1,000 sqft/month recover the VG4 premium in about 23 months.
Pricing: CAD & USD
| Model | VG3 (CAD) | VG3 (USD) | VG4 (CAD) | VG4 (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54-inch | $16,500 | $12,495 | $19,995 | $14,195 |
| 64-inch | $18,995 | $14,495 | $22,995 | $16,295 |
Both models include a media take-up system as standard. The optional high-volume dryer unit adds approximately $2,450–$2,750 USD to either machine.
Ontario buyers — the running cost flip
The VG4 costs more upfront, but the savings come from two directions: TR3 ink is $31/cartridge cheaper than TR2 ($129.99 vs $160.99 USD), and the VG4 uses 30–35% less ink per sqft. Combined, Ontario shops save roughly $154 CAD/month in ink at 1,000 sqft/month. The $3,495 CAD premium on the VG4-540 recovers in approximately 23 months — after which the VG4 is the cheaper machine to operate every month. Both machines ship from our Toronto-area warehouse. Contact us for current promotions and volume ink pricing.
Roland TrueVIS VG3-640 vs VG4-640: Full Specifications
| Specification | VG3-540 | VG3-640 | VG4-540 | VG4-640 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (CAD) | $16,500 | $18,995 | $19,995 | $22,995 |
| Price (USD) | $12,495 | $14,495 | $14,195 | $16,295 |
| Max Resolution | 1,200 dpi | 1,200 dpi | 1,800 dpi | 1,800 dpi |
| Ink Generation | TR2 | TR2 | TR3 (GBL-free) | TR3 (GBL-free) |
| Ink Colours | C M Y K Lc Lm Lk Or Gr Wh | C M Y K Lc Lm Lk Or Gr Re Wh | ||
| 4C Speed (Standard) | 131 ft2/h | 138 ft2/h | 173 ft2/h | 183 ft2/h |
| 4C Speed (Maximum) | 155 ft2/h | 158 ft2/h | 261 ft2/h | 274 ft2/h |
| Ink Consumption | Baseline | 30–35% less than VG3 | ||
| Cost / ft2 (USD) | ~$0.25 est. | ~$0.18 | ||
| Pantone Coverage | ~90% | ~97% | ||
| Control Panel | 7" LCD Touchscreen | 7" Touch Panel + Direct Print | ||
| RIP Software | VersaWorks 6 | VersaWorks 7 | ||
| Cut Speed | 300 mm/s | 10–300 mm/s | ||
| Cut Pressure | 5N / 500gf | 30–500gf | ||
| Max Roll Weight | 35 kg (77 lb) | 45 kg (99 lb) | 35 kg (77 lb) | 45 kg (99 lb) |
| White Ink Circulation | Standard | Advanced system | ||
| Variable Data Printing | VersaWorks 6 | Enhanced VDP + barcode support | ||
| Drain Bottle Sensor | — | Yes | ||
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | ||
Ink System: TR2 vs TR3
Roland TR2 Ink — Shop TR2 Ink
TR2 eco-solvent ink is available in up to 10 channels — CMYK, Light Cyan, Light Magenta, Light Black, Orange, Green, and White — in 500cc flexible pouches. The VG3 introduced the CMYKLcLmOrGr configuration for improved orange and green gamut.
- CMYK / Lc / Lm / Lk: $160.99 USD / $224.99 CAD per 500ml pouch
- Orange / Green: $205.99 USD / $299.99 CAD per 500ml pouch
- White: $110.99 USD / $169.99 CAD per 250ml pouch
Roland TR3 Ink — Shop TR3 Ink
TR3 is GBL-free and adds Red ink — the first in TrueVIS history. Red fills the warm gamut gap that Orange alone can't reach, enabling richer reds, accurate flesh tones, and brand colours like sports team liveries. Combined with True Rich Color 3 in VersaWorks 7, the VG4 achieves approximately 97% Pantone colour coverage. Supplied in solid cardboard-based 500ml cartridges.
- Standard colours (C/M/Y/K/Lc/Lm/Lk/Gr): $129.99 USD / $179.99 CAD per 500ml cartridge
- Orange & Green: $129.99 USD / $189.99 CAD per 500ml cartridge
- White: $94.99 USD / $139.99 CAD per 220ml cartridge
- TR3-CL Cleaning Liquid: $79.99 per 750ml — required at installation, not included in crate
Important: TR2 and TR3 are not interchangeable
Each machine must use its own designated ink generation. VG3 takes TR2 pouches; VG4 takes TR3 cartridges. Always order TR3-CL cleaning liquid alongside your initial VG4 ink set.
Speed & Productivity
| Mode | VG3-540 | VG3-640 | VG4-540 | VG4-640 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4C Standard | 131 ft2/h | 138 ft2/h | 173 ft2/h | 183 ft2/h |
| 4C Maximum | 155 ft2/h | 158 ft2/h | 261 ft2/h | 274 ft2/h |
| 8C Standard | 79 ft2/h | 82 ft2/h | ~90+ ft2/h | ~95+ ft2/h |
The VG4's smart take-up unit also supports more reliable unattended roll-to-roll production — a major advantage for shops that batch print overnight.
Running Costs
| Scenario — 1,000 ft2/month | VG3 | VG4 |
|---|---|---|
| Est. ink cost / ft2 (USD) | ~$0.25 | ~$0.18 |
| Monthly ink spend (USD) | ~$241 | ~$133 |
| Annual savings vs VG3 | — | ~$1,300 USD / ~$1,850 CAD |
| CAD premium payback (54") | — | ~30–36 months |
Software: VersaWorks 6 vs 7
For full technical specifications, see the official Roland DG TrueVIS VG4 product page.
The VG3 ships with VersaWorks 6. The VG4 ships with VersaWorks 7, which adds dual Harlequin RIP® core engines for faster processing, 5 simultaneous job queues with Hot Folders, updated Variable Data Printing with improved barcode and QR support, built-in PANTONE® and DIC colour libraries (97% coverage), advanced tiling and nesting tools, and job history for consistent reprints.
Direct Print (VG4 only): Jobs can be sent and printed directly from the 7-inch control panel — no RIP workstation required for repeat or simple jobs.
Warranty
| VG3 | VG4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Included warranty | 1 year | 1 year |
| Extended coverage | Up to 5 years (service contract) | Via service contract |
As of August 2025, both the VG3 and VG4 include a 1-year warranty. Extended service contracts are available for both models, up to 5 years total. Contact us for pricing.
Roland TrueVIS VG3-640 or VG4-640: Which Is Right for Your Ontario Shop?
Choose the VG3 if…
- Budget is the primary driver — $3,495–$4,000 CAD less upfront
- You print primarily CMYK or Or/Gr work — no Red ink needed
- You're replacing an existing VG3 with TR2 ink already on hand
- Your monthly volume is under ~400 sqft — below that the 23-month CAD payback stretches considerably
Choose the VG4 if…
- You run 500+ sqft/month — at 1,000 sqft/month the CAD premium recovers in ~23 months
- Vehicle wraps, sports graphics, or brand work need Red ink + 97% Pantone
- You want 1,800 dpi for decals, labels, and fine-detail output
- Speed matters — VG4 is up to 65% faster in 4-colour mode
- Variable data, QR codes, or personalization is part of your business
- Direct Print and VersaWorks 7 workflow tools would simplify daily operations
Our recommendation for Ontario shops
For high-volume shops running 1,000+ ft2/month and investing in a machine for 5+ years, the VG4 is the better long-term value. With TR3 ink now $31/cartridge cheaper than TR2, plus 30–35% lower consumption, the $3,495–$4,000 CAD premium recovers in approximately 23 months at 1,000 sqft/month — after which the VG4 saves you ~$154 CAD every month. The VG3 is the right call if cash flow is tight or your monthly volume is under ~400 sqft. Contact our team and we'll run the numbers for your specific shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Roland TrueVIS VG4 better than the VG3?
In most performance metrics, yes. The VG4 offers higher resolution (1,800 vs 1,200 dpi), 30–35% lower ink consumption, a wider colour gamut with TR3 Red ink (~97% Pantone), and faster speeds. However, the VG3 costs $3,495–$4,000 CAD less upfront. Both machines now carry a 1-year warranty as of August 2025. At 1,000 sqft/month, the VG4's ink savings recover the CAD premium in about 23 months.
What ink does the Roland VG4 use?
The VG4 uses Roland TR3 eco-solvent ink (GBL-free) in 500ml cartridges at $129.99 each, in Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, Light Cyan, Light Magenta, Orange, Green, Red, and White (220ml, $94.99 USD / $139.99 CAD). TR3-CL cleaning liquid (750ml, $79.99) must be ordered at installation — it is not included in the crate.
What ink does the Roland VG3 use?
The VG3 uses Roland TR2 eco-solvent ink in 500cc pouches — $160.99 USD ($224.99 CAD) for CMYK/Lc/Lm/Lk, $205.99 USD ($299.99 CAD) for Orange and Green, and $110.99 USD ($169.99 CAD) for 250ml White.
Can I use TR2 ink in a VG4, or TR3 ink in a VG3?
No. TR2 and TR3 are not interchangeable. Each machine requires its own ink generation.
How much faster is the VG4 than the VG3?
In standard 4-colour mode the VG4-540 runs at 173 ft2/h and the VG4-640 at 183 ft2/h, versus 131 and 138 ft2/h for the VG3. At maximum speed the VG4-640 reaches 274 ft2/h versus 158 ft2/h for the VG3-640 — roughly 65% faster at peak throughput.
Are both printers available in Canada?
Yes. Both are available through PrintFinish with CAD pricing. The VG3 is $16,500–$18,995 CAD and the VG4 is $19,995–$22,995 CAD, plus Ontario HST. Contact us for current availability, lead times, and volume ink pricing.
Pricing sourced from Roland DG and PrintFinish pricing as of 2025. All prices in CAD and USD as listed; subject to change without notice. Speed data reflects manufacturer-published throughput figures; real-world performance varies by media, mode, and ink configuration. PrintFinish is an authorized Roland DG dealer serving Ontario and across Canada.