Hi Bigd
You must be very close to me
I disagree with Mags on the seperate machines. I appreciate that if you are doing huge volume then perhaps it is marginally quicker, but in reality a print n cut machine can be set up and left to its own devices and leave you to crack on with something else. There are huge advantages and disadvantages to owning one of these machines and you really need to do your market research on what you want to produce etc.
For example if you are looking at individual signage, then perhaps a BN20 might suit, if you want to produce 10,000 stickers a day then you will need a different set up.
As a general rule, everyone will tell you to purchase the widest machine you can afford, and I personally favour Roland as the machines are better built and do not have the gassing off issue that the Mimaki seem to have. But then Roland are considerably more expensive.
With regards to is the market big enough? Well yes and no. There has been a huge increase in items printed (banners etc), but the prices have also dropped to quite low margins. It really is about market research.
If you want to pop round for a cuppa I will go through all the advantages and disadvantages of owning a wide format printer.
USING: Whatever it takes to get the job done...