When a print shop invests in an automatic screen-printing press, the purchase price is only one part of the decision. The equipment is expected to produce for years, support employees, meet customer deadlines and generate a return on a substantial investment.
That is why the warranty deserves more than a quick glance at the number of years printed in a brochure.
The important question is not simply, “How long is the warranty?” It is, “What will the warranty actually pay for when my shop needs help?”
Some equipment warranties primarily provide replacement parts. That can be helpful, but a part is not always the largest expense associated with a repair. Freight, diagnostic labor, technician time, airfare or mileage, lodging, meals and other travel-related expenses can quickly turn a warranty repair into a costly interruption.
The ROQ SOLID 3-Year Warranty is designed to address more of that real-world financial exposure.
What ROQ Publishes About Its Three-Year Coverage
ROQ describes the ROQ SOLID program as the industry’s leading warranty program. According to ROQ’s published warranty page, all ROQ automatic screen-printing presses receive three full years of coverage. ROQ has also extended that three-year protection to ROQ SAHARA conveyor dryers.
ROQ highlights four major areas of coverage:
- Parts
- Shipping
- Labor
- Technician travel when needed
ROQ states that, for a qualified warranty event, the customer does not pay for the covered part, shipping, technician time or the ROQ technician’s travel when onsite service is required. Kolormatrix also understands that qualified technician travel support can include associated sustenance expenses, subject to the current written warranty terms and approval of the service event.
At the time of publication, ROQ is the only automatic screen-printing equipment manufacturer we are aware of offering this level of warranty support for technician travel and sustenance.
That is a meaningful distinction. Sending a specialized technician across the country can be expensive before the repair even begins.
The Replacement Part May Be the Least Expensive Part of the Repair
Imagine that an automatic press needs a covered repair that cannot be completed remotely. Even if the manufacturer supplies the component at no charge, the shop could still face several other expenses under a more limited warranty:
- Expedited shipping for the replacement component
- Hourly diagnostic and repair labor
- Airfare or mileage for a qualified technician
- Hotel accommodations
- Meals and daily travel expenses
- Additional downtime while authorization and service are arranged
Those costs can add up quickly. They can also arrive at the worst possible time—while orders are waiting, employees are on the clock and customers expect delivery.
The cost of a warranty repair is not always the replacement part. Sometimes the greater cost is getting the right technician into your shop and getting the press back into production.
By publishing coverage for parts, shipping, labor and necessary technician travel, ROQ addresses more of the complete service event instead of focusing only on the failed component.
Why This Matters to a Production Shop
An automatic press is not simply another piece of equipment sitting in the corner. In many shops, it is the center of production. When it stops, the consequences can spread across the entire business.
More Predictable Ownership Costs
No warranty can eliminate every operating expense, but broader warranty coverage can reduce the possibility of a large, unexpected service bill during the covered period. That makes it easier to protect cash flow and plan the true cost of equipment ownership.
Access to the Right Technical Help
Automatic presses are sophisticated production systems. When an issue requires factory-level knowledge, getting the correct technician involved can be more important than finding the cheapest local repair option. ROQ’s published technician-travel coverage helps remove one of the financial barriers to obtaining specialized onsite support when it is approved and needed.
Faster Movement Toward a Documented Resolution
ROQ asks owners to submit service requests through the ROQ Service Portal. This creates a record of the issue and gives the support team the information needed to begin diagnosing and tracking the case. Good documentation can help the manufacturer determine whether the problem can be resolved remotely, requires a part or needs onsite technical service.
Greater Confidence in a Major Investment
A manufacturer willing to cover more than the component is demonstrating confidence in both its equipment and its support structure. For a shop owner preparing to make a major investment, that commitment should be considered alongside press speed, print area, number of colors, available accessories and purchase price.
Three Years Can Cover a Critical Stage of Growth
The first several years with an automatic press can be a major growth period. A shop may be learning new production techniques, training operators, increasing order volume and pursuing larger customers. Those are exciting changes, but they can also place new demands on the equipment and the team running it.
ROQ’s three full years of published coverage on its automatic screen-printing presses can help protect a shop through that important stage. The same three-year protection on ROQ SAHARA conveyor dryers also recognizes that the dryer is just as critical to production as the press. Printing faster does not help if the shop cannot reliably cure the increased volume.
A Strong Warranty Does Not Replace Good Shop Practices
Even an exceptional warranty should not be viewed as a substitute for proper installation, preventive maintenance or trained operators.
Owners should still:
- Prepare the facility according to the manufacturer’s electrical, air and space requirements
- Complete recommended operator training
- Follow the prescribed cleaning and maintenance schedule
- Use approved parts, procedures and consumables where required
- Keep maintenance and service records
- Report problems promptly instead of continuing to run a machine that may be causing additional damage
- Submit support requests through the proper service channel
The goal is not merely to have warranty coverage. The goal is to keep the equipment productive, identify issues early and give the support team the information it needs to help.
Questions to Ask Before Buying Any Automatic Press
Before comparing purchase prices, ask every equipment supplier the same warranty questions:
- How many years does the warranty last?
- Which components are covered?
- Who pays to ship a covered replacement part?
- Is diagnostic and repair labor covered?
- Who pays if a technician must travel to the shop?
- Are airfare or mileage, lodging, meals and related travel costs covered?
- How is a service request submitted and tracked?
- What maintenance records or installation requirements must the owner maintain?
- Which items are considered normal wear or routine maintenance?
- Who provides support after the sale?
Ask for the answers in writing. A verbal promise made during a sales conversation is not a substitute for the manufacturer’s current warranty terms.
Why Kolormatrix Believes Support Belongs in the Buying Decision
At Kolormatrix, we have spent decades working with screen printers and helping shops improve production. We know that the best equipment decision is not always the machine with the lowest initial price. It is the system that gives the shop the right combination of capability, reliability, training, service and long-term support.
The ROQ SOLID Warranty stands out because it recognizes the actual cost of getting a production shop running again. Parts matter—but shipping, skilled labor and the cost of bringing a qualified technician onsite can matter just as much.
That does not mean owners should skip the details. Warranty eligibility, covered repairs and service authorization remain subject to ROQ’s current written terms. However, when comparing automatic presses, the breadth of ROQ’s published protection deserves serious consideration.
Considering a ROQ Automatic Press or Dryer?
A press specification sheet can tell you how many colors and stations a machine has. It cannot tell you how the equipment will fit your production goals, facility, employees and expected volume.
Kolormatrix can help you evaluate the complete investment—including equipment selection, facility requirements, installation preparation, operator training, workflow and warranty support.
Contact Kolormatrix to discuss ROQ automatic equipment →
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ROQ SOLID Warranty FAQ
How long is the ROQ automatic press warranty?
ROQ states that all ROQ automatic screen-printing presses come with three full years of coverage under the ROQ SOLID Warranty program. Coverage remains subject to the current written warranty terms.
Are ROQ conveyor dryers covered for three years?
ROQ states that the three-year ROQ SOLID coverage has been extended to ROQ SAHARA conveyor dryers.
Does the ROQ warranty cover more than replacement parts?
Yes. ROQ’s published warranty page highlights coverage for parts, shipping, labor and technician travel when needed for an approved warranty service event.
Does ROQ cover technician travel and sustenance?
ROQ publicly states that necessary technician travel is covered. Kolormatrix understands that qualified travel support can also include associated sustenance expenses. Exact eligibility and covered expenses should always be confirmed under ROQ’s current written warranty terms for the specific service event.
Does every equipment problem automatically qualify for onsite service?
No. The issue must be evaluated through ROQ’s support process. ROQ may diagnose the problem remotely, send a component or authorize onsite service depending on the circumstances and current warranty terms.
How does a ROQ owner request warranty service?
ROQ directs owners to submit the issue through the ROQ Service Portal so the support team can document, track and evaluate the service request.
Do all ROQ products have the same three-year warranty?
No. ROQ states that warranties on its other equipment range from one to ten years depending on the product. Confirm the applicable warranty before purchasing.
Warranty programs and terms can change. This article is an educational overview and does not replace ROQ’s written warranty. Coverage, eligibility, exclusions and service authorization are determined by ROQ under the warranty terms in effect for the equipment and service event.