A World Beyond Flat Surfaces
In today’s hyper-personalised marketplace, the value of adding something unique—something just a little different—has never been higher. For signmakers and large format print professionals in Belgium and the Netherlands, this demand opens the door to a powerful opportunity: direct-to-object printing. We’re not just talking about flat signs or wall graphics anymore. We’re talking about branding water bottles, customising phone cases, adding logos to golf balls, and decorating industrial components—each with vibrant, durable prints applied directly onto the object’s surface. With the right equipment, even oddly shaped or three-dimensional items can be printed with astonishing accuracy. And that means you can now offer a whole new layer of service to your clients, from one-off prototypes to short-run promotional items.
Direct-to-object printing is no longer a niche reserved for industrial giants or tech startups. Thanks to compact and accessible systems like the Roland VersaOBJECT series, it's a smart, scalable investment for growing print businesses. Whether you’re looking to upsell to existing customers or tap into entirely new markets, this technology brings real versatility to the table. The ROI? Strong. The wow-factor? Even stronger. And when you source your equipment through a reliable local partner like Dimix, you're also gaining access to in-depth product advice, materials knowledge, and service support tailored to your market. So if you’ve ever thought, “What’s next for my business?”, this might just be your answer.
What Exactly Is Direct-to-Object Printing?
Let’s strip away the jargon for a second. At its core, direct-to-object printing is about putting ink—usually UV-cured—directly onto a physical object. Instead of printing on vinyl or paper and transferring that print, you’re printing straight onto the item itself. This opens up a world of creative and commercial possibilities. Think promotional products, personalised gifts, limited-edition packaging, or even functional items like printed control panels. Unlike traditional solvent or flatbed printing, direct-to-object printers handle uneven surfaces, curves, and even cylindrical shapes with ease, using advanced print head movement and height detection to maintain precision.
For many signmakers in the Benelux region, this printing method offers a natural extension of existing services. Already working with wide-format solvent printers? Great—you’ve got the colour expertise and design workflow down. Adding a direct-to-object machine simply multiplies what you can do with that expertise. Curious about what kind of machine suits your needs best? Our blog post on choosing the right direct-to-object printer for your business breaks it down in detail. And if you’re still wrapping your head around the difference between this and UV flatbed printing, we’ve got a comparative guide on that too. But spoiler alert: direct-to-object printers are typically more compact, more flexible, and more tailored to printing on “things” instead of “surfaces.” For signmakers ready to diversify without retooling their entire operation, it’s a seriously smart move.
Profitable Applications That Just Make Sense
Now let’s talk money—because at the end of the day, that’s what matters. Direct-to-object printing isn’t just a shiny new capability; it’s a proven way to increase margins and offer high-value, low-volume services. Signmakers in Belgium and the Netherlands are already using this technology to expand beyond traditional signage. Branded promotional items are one of the biggest earners. Think of custom-printed pens, USB sticks, drinkware, or notebooks. Businesses love giveaways, and you can provide them with small, high-quality runs that are fully personalised—perfect for trade shows, local events, or internal branding.
But that’s just the beginning. There's a growing trend toward personalised retail items, too—think custom-printed candles, jewellery boxes, phone cases, or even luxury packaging. And don’t overlook the industrial side of things: control panels, identification plates, or component branding can all be produced on-demand with precision and durability. Because direct-to-object printers like the Roland VersaOBJECT MO-240 or BD-12 are built to handle different materials—plastics, coated metals, leather, wood—you get extreme flexibility without needing multiple machines. Wondering what specific applications work best with each machine? We’ll cover that in our upcoming post on profitable print applications—worth a read if you’re looking to spark ideas.
Real Stories from the Shop Floor
One of the best things about direct-to-object printing is how quickly it starts paying off—sometimes in ways you wouldn’t expect. Take a local signmaker in Flanders who began offering branded glassware for microbreweries. What started as a side gig turned into a profitable vertical, with custom sets produced for tastings, festivals, and limited-edition batches. Or a Dutch print shop near Utrecht that pivoted from standard banners to include custom phone case printing for e-commerce startups. Low setup times and quick production meant they could profit on jobs as small as ten units—something that’s nearly impossible with traditional screen printing or transfers.
These stories aren’t just marketing fluff. They show how direct-to-object printers make it feasible to take on small, specialised jobs that would otherwise be too costly or time-consuming. And because the demand is often hyper-local—think sports clubs, craft brands, boutiques—you don’t need to ship products across borders to make them viable. In fact, many of Dimix’s customers in Belgium and the Netherlands report a high ROI within the first year of using their new machines. And with models like the Roland MO-180 offering full object profiling and height adjustment, setup is fast, print quality is sharp, and repeat jobs become a breeze. Pair that with your existing solvent printer setup and you’ve suddenly built a complete customisation powerhouse.
Choosing the Right Equipment Without the Guesswork
Before jumping in, it’s worth doing your homework—because not all direct-to-object printers are created equal. Your choice depends on the kinds of products you want to print, the materials you work with, and the production volumes you’re aiming for. For example, if your focus is on smaller promotional goods like pens, golf balls, or lighters, the Roland VersaOBJECT BD-8 offers a compact and cost-effective solution that doesn’t take up much space in your workshop. But if you're planning to run medium to high volumes, or want to tackle more complex shapes and materials, the MO-240 or even the larger CO-640-F200 might be more appropriate.
It's not just about print area or machine size, either. Print speed, curing technology, ink compatibility, and automation features all play a role. That’s why we’ve created a dedicated post to help you compare which direct-to-object printer fits your business best. It outlines the most important criteria for signmakers, from technical specs to business goals, so you don’t have to wade through endless brochures or spec sheets. And of course, if you’d prefer personal advice, Dimix can help you match your ambitions to the right machine—and even let you test drive it in one of our demo centres.
Making It Work With What You Already Have
Here’s the good news: you don’t need to reinvent your business to take advantage of direct-to-object printing. In fact, most signmakers in Belgium and the Netherlands already have the key pieces in place. If you’re using solvent printers today, you’ve likely already mastered colour workflows, RIP software, and pre-press processes—all of which carry over nicely to direct-to-object setups. What changes is your ability to say “yes” to a wider range of customer requests, from short-run promo items to fully customised product packaging.
And rather than replacing your existing solvent printing equipment, direct-to-object printers extend your offer. They allow you to run profitable, small-scale jobs that don’t interfere with your main production flow. You might find that customers who come in for roll-up banners or window decals are also looking for branded merchandise or gifts. And with the right tools, you’ll be ready to deliver—quickly, professionally, and at a price point that still leaves you a healthy margin. Want to know how to set up your workspace for smooth integration? We’ll cover that in our guide on preparing your sign shop for direct-to-object printing. In the meantime, it’s worth checking out our Solvent Printers Category Page to see how these technologies complement each other and create new hybrid workflows.
Promoting Your New Capabilities to Clients
Once your printer is installed and your workflow dialled in, it’s time to make some noise. Too often, print businesses invest in new capabilities but forget to tell their clients about them. Don’t make that mistake. Direct-to-object printing is exciting—it’s visual, it’s tangible, and it solves real problems for your customers. That means it's a marketing opportunity in itself. Create a few attention-grabbing samples and display them in your showroom. Better yet, take them to existing customers and ask, “Would this add value to your brand?” Most people don’t realise what’s possible until they see it with their own eyes.
It’s also smart to update your website and online shop with new product options. Offer bundles: roll-up banner + branded pens, vehicle wrap + giveaway keychains. When you position direct-to-object printing as part of a broader marketing solution, you make it easier for customers to say yes. Don’t forget social media—show behind-the-scenes footage of your printer in action, share customer testimonials, or post time-lapse videos of jobs being completed. Want inspiration on what applications bring the best margins? Check out our blog on profitable direct-to-object printing applications. It’s full of ideas tailored to the Benelux market, with practical tips from fellow signmakers.
Start Small, Think Big
You don’t need to become a high-volume merch factory overnight. The real power of direct-to-object printing lies in its flexibility. Start with a few targeted offerings—local business gifts, sports club swag, personalised corporate giveaways—and build from there. The machines themselves are designed to scale with you. Once your team gets comfortable, you’ll quickly find more ways to use them, whether that’s for limited-edition product lines, custom packaging, or even industrial components. And because Dimix supports your business locally, you’ll never be left figuring things out on your own.
So if you’ve been looking for a way to unlock new revenue streams without overhauling your operations, direct-to-object printing might just be your golden ticket. It's practical. It's profitable. And it's packed with potential for creative signmakers who want to stand out in a crowded market. Whether you're just starting to explore the technology or ready to dive in, there’s never been a better time to act. Explore our full range of direct-to-object printers on the product category page or reach out to the Dimix team for a personalised demo. The future of signmaking is three-dimensional—don’t miss the chance to get ahead.
