posted February 17, 2017 11:23 PM
I always used CorelDraw and a Roland vinyl cutter. They work well together.
I am guessing, but you could probably buy both, a used Roland cutter and an earlier version of CorelDraw, for about $1000-1500 these days.
I know that it is always a desire to go as cheap as you can, but, in the end paying a bit more for a quality cutter and quality software will end up providing less frustration and higher profits.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted February 18, 2017 08:24 AM
I agree with Dave. Using a Roland and Corel to cut from is a simple and very effective set up. You can pick up an earlier version of Corel from ebay. X4 is a good one to look for. Or X6 if you can find one.
-------------------- Phillip Newell Newell Graphics 1346 Garnet St. Burlington, IA 52601 319-754-5113 Posts: 187 | From: Henderson, IL | Registered: Apr 2004
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posted February 18, 2017 10:40 AM
CX-24 roland......is not a ROLAND CAMM-1 PRO model. #1 thing you need to know. ROLAND CX-24 is the basis for most of the CHINESE CUTTERS. all of the "cat" knockoffs are. roland makes a PRO GRADE cutter and then the CM/CX-24. PRO GRADE...... are PNC xxxx, CX 300, 400 500. any of the older PNC-XXXX machines are PRO CAMM-1 plotters. they all look alike on the outside. the big difference is the INTERNALS. ALL PRO CAMM 1 MACHINES.. all rolling points are set in ROLLER BEARINGS. these are the same as the WHEEL BEARING IN YOUR VEHCILE...... just much smaller. the CM/CX-24 all rolling points are either NYLON or BRASS so they wear faster and are not as accurate. its the old story YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. i have owned 4 rolands ALL PRO CAMM 1. my 1st was a PCN-1000. 18-20" WIDE AND CUT FROM COREL 3. i upgraded to a PNC-1100 and then when i had the mobile shop i got another PNC-1100. I have now a CX-300...... in my office....and if you have the chance to watch/hear a CX-24 and then a CX-300,400........ you will understand the difference. http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/201820587302?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted February 18, 2017 08:00 PM
Joe is correct about the two levels of quality in Roland cutters. But for a one man shop, entry level, daily use, a desktop 24" cutter is probably all that will be needed.
Regarding CorelDraw, it might seem a bit overwhelming if you have never used a serious vector graphics program before, but it is well worth spending the time to get used to it. Dedicated "sign making" programs are fine, but something like CorelDraw or Adobe Illustrator have so much more to offer.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted February 18, 2017 11:27 PM
Rick...I typed a detailed reply to your last question, but our internet service here in Mexico is currently experiencing problems and the reply got lost.
I will re-type my reply manana.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted February 19, 2017 03:01 AM
as i said, and can tell you from owning used CAMM-1 PRO plotters...........most are sold either becaue the owner up graded or got out of the business. the CM/CX-24 if an rolands had problems....it was these model. all 3 PNC-xxxXx wee trouble free.. and most people who have have problems were with the CX/CM-24.corel draw. depending on your O/S most corels will work from VERSION 7 to X8, so there are plenty to chose from. none below X3 has any backup support. you can buy X5-X6 for way less money the X7 or X8.
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted February 20, 2017 12:17 AM
I will refrain on posting anything further about CorelDraw and Roland vinyl cutters, since Joe will always contradict anything anyone else says on the subject.
And I also know he will be unable to refrain from making a "last comment".
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted February 20, 2017 02:09 AM
and you see it as a phissin contest???was not my intent.......
[ February 20, 2017, 02:10 AM: Message edited by: old paint ]
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted February 20, 2017 06:38 AM
Quote: "What sign/lettering program should I consider to use with a plotter/vinel cutter, and good, but not real expensive plotter should I look at?"
Nobody here will tell you that there is a 'good' plotter that is also 'inexpensive'... It's like expecting to go to a $2 store and find a $50 sable brush for the price of a $2 hog hair bristle craft brush...
The low end of the price scale plotters are what fill the internet forums up with people who "only want to buy one to cut some stickers on weekends," and suddenly can't figure out how to make them work.
The well-known name-brand plotters... well I've bought three, secondhand, over the last 28 years, and I'd do it again. They were built to last, and built to work.
There IS a learning curve, and no short-cuts to it... a learning curve with the machine, and a learning curve with the software, and a learning curve with weeding and applying vinyl, and learning tyoes & uses & longevity & failures...
GIMP is a photo type of program - no connection with what a plotter will do. You need a vector editing program- eg Corel Draw, Illustrator, Sign Wizard-and others... Inkscape is a free one, but I can't say if it will run a plotter. We use Corel X3. It works fine.
Pay for good tools, and invest in a good future. Cut corners on quality & price, and regret it...
Enjoy the learning curve! P.S. all three still do work...
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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posted February 21, 2017 10:26 AM
Bought my first plotter in 1996, have cut tons of vinyl and sandblast stencil with it, and it still works like new. It's an Ioline Classic 24. My first software was Signwizard 4.1. I'm using version 6 now. I use it for all of my vector design because it's fast and easy to use.
Corel is an excellent program which will do vinyl and much more. I'm using version x8 right now but have used x4 as well. You will love it.
You should easily recoup your investment on a good plotter and software in just a few jobs. Good luck!
[ February 21, 2017, 10:27 AM: Message edited by: Wayne Webb ]
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7403 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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posted February 27, 2017 07:33 AM
I agree with corel, as far as a good program, and you can find one on ebay easy enough.
A plotter is personal preference. I've used Rolands at one place that I subcontracted at, and personally, I wasn't too impressed. It may have been me, but it seemed to to want to fight me and I couldn't get it to load straight to save my backside.
I prefer Summa. Years ago I was tasked with sourcing a good plotter for a large production sign company, and I looked at a lot of plotters. Summa was the one I convinced the boss buy, and it was built like a tank. When I bought a plotter for myself, I didn't look any where else. I got a brand new Summa D60. It's been going strong for 10 years now...
-------------------- Mark Kottwitz Kottwitz Graphics Ridgely, MD www.SeeMySignWork.com -------------------------- Imagination is more important than knowledge. -- Albert Einstein Posts: 746 | From: Ridgely, MD | Registered: Oct 2000
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