Roland VersaSTUDIO BT-12 vs Brother GT-381

Name: Brother GT-381
Brand: Brother
Price: 14000.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

Detailed Technical Comparison & Buying Guide

Roland VersaSTUDIO BT-12

Brother GT-381

Roland VersaSTUDIO BT-12

✅ Superb for small custom shops and kiosks.

❌ Limited to A4 size and light colours.

Brother GT-381

✅ Modular print heads allow for easy upgrades.

❌ Older technology compared to GTX series.

Feature	Roland VersaSTUDIO BT-12	Brother GT-381
Print Technology	Desktop DTG	DTG
Colour Output	CMYK	CMYK + 4 White
Print Resolution	1200 x 1200 dpi	1200 x 1200 dpi
Black Print Speed (PPM)	N/A	Fast
Colour Print Speed (PPM)	Standard	Standard
First Page Out Time	N/A	N/A
Auto Double-Sided	No	No
Input Paper Capacity	1 A4 Tray	1 Platen
Output Tray Capacity	N/A	N/A
Supported Paper Sizes	A4	14 x 16 inches
Paper Weight Support	50-100% Cotton	Cotton
Scanner Type	None	None
Scan Resolution	N/A	N/A
Auto Document Feeder	None	None
Copy Speed	No	No
Wi-Fi Connectivity	No	No
Ethernet Support	Yes	Yes
USB Connectivity	Yes	Yes
Mobile Printing Support	No	No
Display Panel	N/A	N/A
Monthly Duty Cycle	N/A	N/A
Ink/Cartridge System	N/A	N/A
Borderless Printing	N/A	N/A
Width	N/A	N/A
Depth	N/A	N/A
Height	N/A	N/A
Machine Weight	N/A	N/A
Energy Efficiency	N/A	N/A
Noise Level (dB)	N/A	N/A
Processor Speed	N/A	N/A
Internal Memory	N/A	N/A
Cloud Print Support	N/A	N/A
Security Features	N/A	N/A
Compatible OS	N/A	N/A
Included in Box	N/A	N/A
Warranty Period	N/A	N/A
Recommended Use	N/A	N/A

Roland VersaSTUDIO BT-12 Price Brother GT-381 Price

⚖️ Expert Verdict

The Roland BT-12 is a compact, entry-level DTG printer designed for small retail kiosks, similar to the Ricoh Ri 100. It is limited to light-colored cotton fabrics and has a small maximum print area. The Brother GT-381 is an industrial-scale machine that can print massive, vibrant designs on both light and dark garments. The Roland is easier to use and much cheaper to buy, but it lacks the professional capabilities of the Brother. For a custom t-shirt shop that needs to print on black shirts, the Brother GT-381 is the winner. The Roland is only suitable for those who want a simple, clean, and low-cost way to print on white or pastel items.

What Owners Are Saying?

Roland VersaSTUDIO BT-12

Charlie S. ★★★★☆

"Decent little machine for light-colored cotton. Very easy to use, almost like a standard inkjet. The ROI is great for small gift shops, but the lack of white ink means you're limited on what you can offer clients. Still, for what it is, it's an absolute unit of convenience."

Brother GT-381

OldSchool_Print ★★★☆☆

"A bit dated now compared to the GTX, but still a solid workhorse if you find one second-hand. The modular print heads are a good strategic design—you can start with CMYK and add white later. A bit slow by modern standards, but built like a tank."

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Roland VersaSTUDIO BT-12

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Brother GT-381

Epson SureColour SC-F2100 Brother GTX Pro Ricoh Ri 100 Sawgrass SG500 Epson SureColour SC-F100