Printer cutter or Separate printer and cutter

[socialgiraffe]

Come on Web trekker - you are better than that

No one would seriously recommend a BN20 for someone that wants to do signage, the cutting width is far too small. The silver bullet is a brilliant machine though.

Dye123, You need to be aware of some things that you may not have considered. Ideally, if you want to do signage, particularly outdoor stuff, you really need a UV Printer. You can get UV Print n Cut but they are really expensive and I know that there are serious print head issues with certain Roland printers and the magenta ink.

My personal recommendation would be a Roland SP540, its wide enough for most applications and has a track history of being a very well built machine. I would not purchase a Mimaki which is based on opinions of those who have switched and wished they hadn't. I have never owned one so its a bit unfair for me to comment.

With regards to a separate cutter and printer. The speed issue only comes into play when you are printing and cutting serious amounts of media. I know loads of companies who specialise in signage and/or stickers and the still do not require two machines. The speed issue really is a non starter. You also need to consider that two machines is a much larger footprint. If you have the space - fine, but remember that space costs money.

Finally, I will say that a machine for garments, stickers and signage is a sort of jack of all trades and master of none deal. You can do far more with an OKI White system from TMT with regards to garments, but you can not do decent signage. You can do good signage and stickers on on a print n cut but the garment quality will suffer. Only slightly but they are not as good in my opinion.

[webtrekker]

Another factor would be cost. Some of these machines are BIG BUCKS and it eventually boils down to -

a) How much spare cash you have available, or can borrow.

b) How big a risk you are prepared to take to start up this business.


Obviously, these two factors influence each other to some extent. We could all go on indefinitely listing our favourite machines and ones to avoid, but members may be able to give you a better answer if you place a limit on how much you are willing to shell out for your new machine.

[froggy]

I have 3 Roland uv machines, the first one I bought was a print and cut. For my work its too slow, my other machines are print only, I have several Summas which take care of cutting. The machine you buy depends on the type of work you want to produce, if you are serious about external signage then a 54" machine is really the minimum you want to be looking at. You will need a laminator as well, same size or bigger than your printer.

There are some good deals on slightly older branded kit, buy it from a reputable dealer, give them a little extra profit and get some after sales support and warranty. Your job is to print stuff, not fix machines or faff about for hours trying to produce consistant work.

Professional kit is expensive, its expensive for a reason, it should work and work and work. If you have done your sums right that means earn and earn and earn.

Oh Ive never owned a silver bullet, but its on my " kit to buy " list, I dont know how Ive managed so long without one!

[dye123]

Hi

Thanks all

I have seen the oki machines and to be honest the material seems a bit to expensive hence why print and cut seems more appealing as it can possible open up more opportunities


Would a office space 8'6ft x15ft be enough space for a laminator, cutter and 50" plus printer?

Cheers

[froggy]

Hi

Thanks all

I have seen the oki machines and to be honest the material seems a bit to expensive hence why print and cut seems more appealing as it can possible open up more opportunities


Would a office space 8'6ft x15ft be enough space for a laminator, cutter and 50" plus printer?

Cheers

I am at work now, Ive just measured a Roland, I think you would need 9ft x 5ft minimum for the printer, I dont use a laminator for my work its UV and internal usage. But you will need space for laying out, mounting etc, the space does sound a little tight, however where there's a will there's always a way.

[scotty44]

Hi

Thanks all

I have seen the oki machines and to be honest the material seems a bit to expensive hence why print and cut seems more appealing as it can possible open up more opportunities


Would a office space 8'6ft x15ft be enough space for a laminator, cutter and 50" plus printer?

Cheers

Don't forget a good size bench/work space/storage :rolleyes:
What signage are you thinking of doing? Alot can be done in cut vinyl without the need for a large printer,
I have a old site still on line (which isn't used now) - www.stik-it-signs.co.uk everything on there (cars,vans,trucks) got cut in vinyl and done on a Roland 24" cutter (Ohh the good old days lol) it all depends on what you want to do with the machines you buy!
The print/cut machines are huge, I had a Roland VP300 which would take 30" media and it was about 6ft long

[pw66]

Depending on what substrate you are using print and cut is not always a seem less process. A lot of solvent media need to be left to 'gas out' for several hours or longer before cutting or laminating. Since you will need to return the finished work to the machine a lot of the benefit of a print and cut machine are negated.

I would opt for two machines, partly to limit the wear and tear on the printer.
However since the difference in price between some print and cut/print only machines is 'only' about £1000 then I would probably try to stretch the budget and get a print and cut and a separate cutter. Never hurts to have a spare, and some jobs will be suitable for immediate cutting.