Vinyl cutters?

[3Deep]

Ok I'm back at it again on getting a vinyl cutter, was looking at some cheap ones and saw something about it does not contour cut, so I'm checking out contour cut.  My question to you that use a cutter everyday is contour cutting something I want and shouldn't be without?  Pros/Cons thanks guys

darryl

[Frog]

How much do you plan to use the cutter overall? What will you cut?
I finally got my own cutter, a Graphtec CE6000-40 (a little more than $1000), and love it.  It has the ability to contour cut, but since I don't really like the opaque inkjet transfers anyway, I very seldomly miss the fact that I never figured out how to use the feature. That said, for small breast prints, it would probably get a little use.

[Denis Kolar]

If you need it for a heat transfer vinyl cutting, not really need for contour cut feature. Unless you will do print/cut vinyl, then you will need it.
I would strongly suggest getting one with it because you never know what you might need to do down the road. If it is there, you will use it. If not, you will need another cutter.

My first one was Graphtec CE-5000 60, which is a 24" basic Graphtec cutter.
Paid itself in less than 2 months with some truck signage. Since, I have added big 64" vinyl printer and upgraded my cutter to Graphtec FC-8600-130 (54" cutter).
Cutter opens more doors than just for apparel.

Good luck

[3Deep]

Thanks I looked at the graphtec and also the elcheapo's from US cutters, right now I don't see us using it a lot, but one never knows.

[Frog]

Royster seems pretty happy with his cheaper one, maybe a US Cutter. He'll probably chime in

[Sbrem]

Darryl, my Roland CAMM1 is 23 years old, I made maybe 3 minor repairs in that time, so I'm pretty much sold on them, but from what I hear, Summa and Graphtek are also pretty reliable.

Steve

[Inkworks]

The main problem with the cheap cutters is how loud the stepper motors are on them, I've been around some that you literally would need ear protection to be in the same room as, whereas a Roland, Summa or Graphtech are almost silent. I have a Graphtech, no complaints at all.

[ixpoz]

I have the Graphtec CE-6000 48" model and it has been very reliable. I've also had the 8000 series as well, which was used a lot (on a daily basis) and performed well. If you're looking at a cutter, I highly recommend spending the extra money on the contour feature as it can open doors that you may not have thought about.

[Frog]

This somewhat dimwitted CorelDRAW-using Frog needs someone who can lead him down the path of contour enlightenment as most instructional stuff I have seen is aimed at Illy users

[mimosatexas]

I would suggest the Graphtec 24", especially over the comparable Roland.  I know plenty of people are happy with their "little" Rolands, but the 24" I am using currently has so many issues, especially on the software side.  So many things the Graphtec does different seem to me to be the intuitive and "right" way to do stuff vs the Roland.  I agree that having the counter cutting option if nice.  Useful for print and cut heat transfers, and even screen printed sheets of stickers, and lots of random stuff you wont think of now.

[royster13]

I have a Cut 3000 (pink) rebranded GCC Bengal (servo motor).....It has served me well for many years....Price was right....Free from Sign Warehouse if you bought 1,200.00 of material over a year...I also have an Expert 24 in the "bullpen"...

If I were looking for a new cutter, I would consider the EnduraCut2 from Sign Warehouse....I rarely buy brand name equipment so not up to speed on the latest from Graphtec or Roland....

[BrianHahn]

For contour cutting, there are a few main uses.

1) To contour cut out printed decals. For this, you would need a vinyl printer which is very expensive. Most people start out by having the stickers printed by a print shop and then running the contour cut on their contour cutter.
2) To contour cut out sublimation transfers that are going on to dark garments. The non-used portion of the sublimation transfer will leave a white haze on a dark garment. People contour cut this away prior to sublimating.
3) To contour cut out paper and other non-lined materials. This is done with a cutting mat which acts as a surrogate release liner.

Graphtecs are good but a bit expensive.
Rolands, Mimaki's, Summas all good but also a bit expensive.
The Saga cutters all have either semi-manual contour cutting (a laser dot) or an ARMS system.
A laser dot allows you to make the fine alignment between the machine and the target mark manually. This is good for occasional contour cutting.
An ARMS system automatically reads crop marks with a photo sensor. This is good for frequent contour cutting.
Saga has a nice servo system for around $800.
I would say around 60% of people with a vinyl cutter won't ever use the contour cutting features.

[3Deep]

Thanks, lot's of great info here to help make my decision here soon, I got a feeling it will get use used only during ball season, I just didn't want to purchase a cutter then find out I should have gotten something with a little more pep.  Being loud is something I never even thought about, since I put up with my wife blending smoothie's every morning

[Frog]

I do remember that when I first fired up the Graphtec, my buddy, who had been running my stuff for me on his Mimaki for the last few years, commented on how quiet mine was.

[royster13]

If you have a cutter and market your services you will make money with it.....I just got an order for 12 shirts that are needed for Sunday...1 colour front and back...I would not have time to send it out so I can cut vinyl and deliver it no problem....I am charging 280.00....A couple hours to complete and I will net over 225.00...