posted
I've been looking at what's available in large format printers and it seems I can get just about any configuration except for what I would consider to be my ideal printer. They mostly have one or two features I need, but fall short in other areas. Eg...
Gerber Edge: good durability, good print cost - output too small, too expensive to buy.
Roland PC600: good size (24"), good durability - too costly do large prints, cutter not good enough to replace existing cutter.
Graphtec JX2000: Good cutter - Prints don't last outdoors, serial connection.
Epson Pro 7600: good size (24"), good price (about 1/3 cost of PC600), firewire/usb connection - Prints don't last outdoors
Roland Soljet: good solvent printer - too big, too expensive.
Now if someone could build me my ideal printer/cutter with all the good points, and none of the drawbacks, it would be like this...
24" wide printer - like the PC600 Uses eco friendly solvent inks for outdoor applications - like the Soljet Cost around the same to buy as the Epson printers If it includes a cutter, then it should be good enough to use as a cutter - like the Graphtec.
High resolution is not necessary - around 360 dpi is fine enough. Other options would be - firewire connection (or at least USB), re-fillable ink cartridges...
I suppose I'm dreaming, but can someone explain why they don't build 24" solvent printer/cutters?
It would seem to be the logical replacement or accompaniment for all those 24" cutters out there.
Guess I'll just have to keep waiting.......
-------------------- Neil Riley Riley Signs Adelaide, South Ozzz Posts: 157 | From: Adelaide, South Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I don't want to be the "gloom and doom" aspect of your dilema,but........ PRINTS aren't durabile out doors,Because they are "inks" NOT PAINT! CUTTERS are too expensive because money is a relative term. I hope that your customers don't take the same view when you try to sell them a job with durability and low cost! On the other hand........ Paint and brushes can create the SAME effect,with less monies out of your pocket! You can also charge the customer MORE for your time and talent!
Hope this helps
-------------------- PKing is Pat King The Professor of SIGNOLOGY Posts: 3113 | From: Pompano Beach, FL. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I've been looking into the Suma DC-3 36" plus cuts on the same machine. I now have the Roland PC-60. I havn't seen one yet at a trade show.
-------------------- John Arnott El Cajon CA 619 596-9989 signgraphics1@aol.com http://www.signgraphics1.com Posts: 1443 | From: El Cajon CA usa | Registered: Dec 1998
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Graphtek JX series signjet pro 52"wide, large wells, fast cutter Prints kind`a slow.
"It did everything I ever wanted it to do." "Wrapped an entire bus with a large print." (12'X50') "Go inks, and UV clear over`lams for prints." "A work horse"
-------------------- Richard Bustamante Signs in the Pines www.signsinthepines.com Posts: 781 | From: Nevada City, California | Registered: Nov 1998
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Okay, thanks for your thoughts - some replies needed... Pat,solvent ink prints are durable outdoors, albeit not as good as paint, but I do explain this to my customers. I have a job to do next week where the customer wants a couple of large beer bottles printed and put on his pub delivery van. The brewery supplies the artwork and pays for the job. This is the reality of a modern day sign shop.
I've been hand lettering for 25 years, but I've always thought " there's gotta be an easier way than this!" Thats why I cut vinyl and use computers now.
Randy - I'm talking about wanting a 24" solvent ink printer - as opposed to trying to print large areas with uneconomical thermal resin ribbons.
Duncan - I have one of your large format knife plotters, but it's getting a bit old and less eager to work nowadays :-)
My point is - I would like a 24" solvent printer... thats about the right size ( I have a 24" cutter) They make some that size that print with water based pigment inks, or they make some that print with resin cartridges, but all the solvent printers are huge.
Sorry to labour a point, I was just wondering if anyone else thinks that this would be the most logical printer configuration for small sign shop owners.
Cheers, Neil Riley
-------------------- Neil Riley Riley Signs Adelaide, South Ozzz Posts: 157 | From: Adelaide, South Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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Either the CAMMJET or the COLORCAMM is your answer. I'd go for the CAMMJET.....you can do more with it. It's not the answer you want, but like I said before, the perfect machine doesn't exist. As far as pricing, I use a Colorcamm and a 44" Hi-Fi JET, to get done what I need to get done. Pricing: When the customer sees what you can do with these machines, "pricing" becomes ALMOST a non-issue!
posted
I am going to personally recommend the Soljet... Great cutter (almost put my 24" Camm1 outta biz), exceptional prints (fine art prints on canvas match our giclees on canvas off the Hifi jet). I thought why do I need a cutter larger than 24"? When I got a roll of 49" vinyl and started slicing and dicing, I realized that one roll of white allowed me to print and cut multi color decals in one shot. Yesterday I print and cut 3 window decals for a van (2 sides and a rear) 4/color contour cut. Started printing at 10 am, 12:15 time for lunch and the job was done.$325 installed.... It took 1.5 hours to dry enough to clear coat. Some days it works like that, some days it doesn't.
-------------------- Eric Patzer A.S.A.P. Design Lafayette, CO epatzer@earthlink.net Posts: 208 | From: Lafayette, CO USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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If you are looking for outdoor durability say 3years (2 years in desert conditions) against UV fade... unlaminated. Try the DicoJet inks. They are not solvent based, but are an excellent option for inkjet printers. When laminated the life of the print is even longer.
-------------------- Glenn Thompson Tell-Tale Signs Williams Lake, BC sign@telus.net (250)398-7446 Posts: 201 | From: Williams Lake, BC | Registered: Dec 2000
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A 24" Solvent machine needs all of the technology that you would find in a wide format solvent machine...so it would cost just about as much to build (and to buy).
I've been involved in digital printing and imaging for over ten years and I can tell you (with absolute certainty) that you are not alone...many signshop owners are still waiting for that one, single, magical printing solution for all of their needs to finally come to market...Meanwhile, plenty of great opportunities to make good money using digital printing are passing them by.
Even worse, the longer you wait, the more consolidation is going on in the market...new competitors are entering the sign market from all directions (ie from the Reprographics market)...because digital printing technology allows them to do so (they're seizing the opportunity first).
Ironically, it is typically, the "early adopters" (the guys who buy in early, at the highest prices -- and who struggle with fledgling technology) that are the guys who make the bigger profits.
If you have indeed decided to enhance the products and services you can offer your clients through digital printing: stop looking for the magic pill. Stop finding excuses not to do it.
Start with your goals for your business and develop a plan.
Every digital printing system has it's pros and cons. The truly ideal solution is to start with the system that will give you the fastest Return On Investment (ROI).
Re-invest cyclically (ideally 18-24 month cycles)in the next technology that will both enhance/expand your offering and will give you superior ROI
Keep "cycling" until you are in position to leap at the hottest new technology, become an "early adopter" and lead the market...make some big money for yourself, keep re-investing and you won't look back.
Sorry for the lecture.
[ November 08, 2002, 07:28 AM: Message edited by: Jon Aston ]
-------------------- Jon Aston MARKETING PARTNERS "Strategy, Marketing and Business Development" Tel 705-719-9209 Posts: 1724 | From: Barrie, ON, CANADA | Registered: Sep 2000
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...however the upkeep is horrendous. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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