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Re: How small would you go?

Posted: 12 Apr 2013, 16:30
by socialgiraffe
Hi Guys

I have all but finished a print and cut job where some of the letters were 20pt (condensed font) in size. They were really intricate to weed and quite time consuming. I am using a Roland VS300 and Siser Vinyl.

So was wondering, what is the smallest you would go on cutting and weeding?

Re: How small would you go?

Posted: 12 Apr 2013, 16:58
by John G
just done the same with 40pt and I struggled on a cheaper chinese plotter

Re: How small would you go?

Posted: 12 Apr 2013, 17:34
by Dave271069
guilt is creeping up on me somewhere! lol:wink:

Re: How small would you go?

Posted: 12 Apr 2013, 17:57
by AdamB
I have some intricate designs that I do on a regular basis with bits (I kid you not) about 1mm in width!
(I have good eyes though lol)

Re: How small would you go?

Posted: 12 Apr 2013, 20:04
by RogerC
way too small for me SG...the eyes are not what they used to be.:rolleyes:

Re: How small would you go?

Posted: 12 Apr 2013, 21:42
by Renniwano
I often cut small intricate fonts similar to Adam.. I try not to use extremely thin fonts though because they are an utter nightmare to weed !!

Re: How small would you go?

Posted: 17 Apr 2013, 10:44
by Ask_Alan
For the smallest fonts (Arial 14pt - 4mm caps hight) you need a good cutter properly adjusted with a newish blade (graphtec/roland/summagraphics etc) and a material with a high tack backing, Example from the TMT range, premium flex has a high tack backing and you can cut smallish, the 123 flex is a low tack material and will not work down to such sizes, bits come adrift. Pick the font carefully ;) for ease for weeding.

Make sure the cutting force is just right, to much will make weeding small items difficult. If the program used has some form of overcut / easyweed option use it.

Long ago I worked with cutters (aristo) where with the right material (rubylith) you could cut and weed (with a magnifing glass and a pin) 1mm times roman bold upper and lower case (thats 3point) The cutting tool holder cost as much a modern Graphtec or Roland cutter complete:eek:

Re: How small would you go?

Posted: 17 Apr 2013, 12:17
by arko
I was testing some graphics on my cheapo chinese cutter and managed to get, what I think , is a pretty good accuracy. This RB logo was for my boys bike but I measured it wrong so it wouldn't fit on his frame! hahahaha.... Not sure what size (in font) that would be but some of the lines are about 1/2mm - 1mm thick.

Image

Image

Re: How small would you go?

Posted: 17 Apr 2013, 12:18
by arko
Sorry for the large images... I forgot to rescale them. :redface:

Re: How small would you go?

Posted: 17 Apr 2013, 21:08
by mrs maggot
thats huge arko, the logo cut not the image compaired to some of the small work i do, must say though i cannot often use 123 flex for it, as its not forgiving enough for weeding smaller items