My name is Joel and I've just recently decided to get back into signcrafting and pinstriping. I'm looking for advice as to what plotter (used) and software to purchase. Here is a list of my preferences:
$2000 max budget (yikes)
Preferably Mac OS (I have a PC too, just like the Mac more)
Only needed for cutting, no print-work.
and where to purchase.
I'm going to try to go after the custom, Big Rigs, pinstriping and airbrushing work. I'm not going to do production vinyl since this is to supplement my income while I'm in college.
[ June 12, 2006, 03:31 PM: Message edited by: Joel Nelson ]
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
Joel
Welcome to Letterville!
Go to the top of this page, click search, type in "plotter" pull down menu to "subject," click "search" You will find a wealth of facts as well as opinoins regarding the purchase of a plotter.
Good luck, and take care.
[ June 12, 2006, 03:56 PM: Message edited by: Rick Beisiegel ]
Posted by Checkers (Member # 63) on :
Hiya Joel and welcome aboard. Nice stuff on your website! Rick is right, the search feature will show quite a bit of information when it comes to plotter and software advice. But, it all is basically personal preference. I feel that you'll find it a little easier to get what you need in your budget if you stick with PC based software. Although I hear Corel X3 is sweet, I would recommend an older version of Corel Draw and a 15"-24" plotter. The 24" plotters by Summa, Graphtec or even Roland all are good and I beleive that all of them can cut right from Corel with little or no additional expense for bridge software. I'm running Corel 12 with a Summa D60 plotter. The Summa plotter comes with a Corel plug in that allows me to cut from Corel without any issues. So, a D60 tabletop plotter would run about $1800 and an older verion of Corel would run about $40-$100. Check out the merchant page for more info... http://www.letterhead.com/suppliers/index.html
Havin' fun,
Checkers
Posted by Lotti Prokott (Member # 2684) on :
Hi Joel.
The GX-24 is the Roland entry level machine. It might fit into your budget. A better choice than going with a no-name cutter. Check out the "Letterville Merchants" link to the left to find out where to buy.
Interesting Website concept. There's a typo on the home page (want instead of what) Hope this helps.
Posted by Joel Nelson (Member # 6609) on :
Awesome info guys, thanks!
I will check previous posts and hopefully find something that is simple and right for me. I like the idea of running straight from Corel. Very easy.
Thanks for the tips Checkers
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
HEY Checkers..wadda ya mean "even Roland"????
And to add to the info Joel..check out what has been mentioned..it IS quite easy to be up and running with a budget of $2000.
Just some advice...
If you can afford it, get Corel X3, if for no other reason than to be able to open or export the latest version files of other applications.
Also...Please stay away from generic cutter brands..otherwise you will be posting questions about why the cutter doesn't work correctly rather than being here enjoying, while a brand name cutter does do the work for you!!
Posted by Joel Nelson (Member # 6609) on :
Oh man. Good iye Lotti! I half too change that quik!
Can't wait to get home tonight and check this stuff out.
Posted by Randy Campbell (Member # 2675) on :
Nice site Joel.
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
Joel welcome to lettrville bla bla bla
If you're going to go after pinstriping, airbrushing and the Beeg rigs why the heck would ya wqant to put 2 G's into a plotter? Ya must have a hole burning in more then just yer pocket!
Posted by Joel Nelson (Member # 6609) on :
Thanks for the compliments on the site Randy.
The plotter is a tool that I've always wanted for small jobs, fleets, anything to get the ball rolling and maybe even incorporate some vinyl in the secondary copy on the quicker jobs. Also for masks if I want to do nice even blends through a logo.
By the way Mr. Madden, you have a great site and some incredible pinstriping. Very clean and tight. I'm still reading through it. Very informative.
Posted by Joel Nelson (Member # 6609) on :
Checkers, I think I landed on the Summa D60 too. I have Illustrator already and found that NCS MagiSign might be the right ticket to run the Mac. Does the plotter have to be Mac compatible or does the software take care of that?
Posted by Checkers (Member # 63) on :
Jot me hanging there Joel. I know very little about Macs. You can try calling Dave Parsons at Summa. His number is 1-800-323-9766. I purchased my plotter through him. I'm happy to say that I haven't talked to him in a while though. <knocking on wood> My plotter hasn't given me any grief since I purchased it about a year and a half ago.
Good luck,
Checkers
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
Where's Dale Manor & Bill Modzel when you need em'?
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