...Been a while since I've been here and I have a deep inquiry for all you supremely knowledgeable folks.
After over 10 years in the sign business I am now working at the local newspaper as a graphic designer. I work in the evenings so I am going to start a business on the side.
Why, a SIGN business of course! Well, sort of. My plan, at this point is to get some sort of digital printer. I know lots of sign people & several graphic designers here at the paper who have side gigs that I could sell to initially. Also, my Father (who will be my partner), would like to be able to print architectual plans as well.
My question is: Is there a do it all printer? Probably not, eh?
If there is no printer that will do fine art prints, out-door signage, and inexpensive one color plans, I'll probably start with a high end indoor printer. One that can take care of the fine art stuff and architectual proofs, & sub out the other stuff initially. Any printer suggestions here?
I wan't to be the sign/graphics provider of the future!
Any advice?
Am I asking the right questions?
-------------------- Glenn S. Harris
....back in the sign trade full time. Posts: 293 | From: Baton Rouge, LA, USA | Registered: Jul 2001
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I've got just about every digital device you would want in my shop,
Xerox 7700 22ppm 12x18 color laser HP3500 60" wide format inkjet Kip 2720 36" engineering copier/scanner/laser plotter Kodak m50 50ppm b/w copier/laser printer Xerox 2006 color copier/printer Graphtec 4100-130 cutter Epson 2000p photoprinter Phoenix 1216 engraver and there's a Matan Spark 1612 thermal printer on the way
but I can't think of any one device that can 'do it all' ..well. Every machine or process has it's strengths, and when you try to use it for something it isn't designed for, you end up with compromises, either it'll be too slow/innefficient for the purpose, or too expensive, or both.
Take the Soljet for example.. Very nice machine, print quality is outstanding, good outdoor life, but it's limitations are that because it uses a coated media, it would be prohibitively expensive to use as a plan plotter, and it would be too slow at the task as well.
An inkjet, like a hp 5000 might be a better choice, you can run b/w or color on bond paper at a reasonable cost and also run vinyls and many other media in good quality full color, however even with the UV inks and Lamination , outdoor life is limited.
You might do better to consider where you think you might do best to begin with, and then buy the best piece of equipment that you can afford which is best suited to that specific task, then add equipment as your business grows. Just remember in every facet of your business you'll compete with people who do posess the best equipment for a specific task.
-------------------- Mike O'Neill
It has yet to be proven that intelligence has any survival value. - Arthur C. Clarke
I would look into an Encad 700 or 800 series printer. The GX inks are high quality archival inks with a 30 -60 year indoor life and the GO inks are pigmented inks with a 3-5 year outdoor life with lamination.
We have a 736 printer right and are extremely happy with the performance and quality. I do wish we would have gone for the 750 because it is a little bigger printer.
Encad has been much better after it was bought by Kodak. Their customer service was not very good before. I would suggest that you find a reputable dealer that has been around for quite awhile. I would be happy to supply you with the name of our dealer but you could probably find one a little closer to home.
Sign Warehouse has their own line of Prism printers. My wife, Dana, bought her vinyl system from them and the support from them has been great. You might want to try them.
Have a great one!
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6464 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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Hiya Glenn, I think Mike's reply is the most accurate. There's no one printer that can do it all and be cost effective across the board. Most, if not all printers can handle both indoor & outdoor inks & media. Resolution & speed boils down to how much do you want to spend. The the real issue issue is not just the printer. You may need a laminator, trimmer, RIP software, color calibration software/hardware and a super computer to handle this type of work. All this can add up to a lot more than the cost of the printer. Media & ink can be another headache. I won't even go there in this post. B.t.w., our main business is tadeshow & p.o.p. displays and we run 2 Encads.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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Thanks for the advice. The all-in-one thing is probably a bad idea.
I think I'll start with a serious ink jet & move up from there. I have the super computer. I don't know what my budget will be yet, but probably under 10K.
A laminator will probably be a good idea, but if I plan on getting a serious outdoor printer of some sort (thermal resin/sol-jet etc.) couldn't we say laminating is kind of a thing of the past?
-------------------- Glenn S. Harris
....back in the sign trade full time. Posts: 293 | From: Baton Rouge, LA, USA | Registered: Jul 2001
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No ... even with thermal transfer, lamination is sometimes required.. All depends on the project. The laminate, like anything else, is not an expense, but rather, it is a service you sell
If you're going with a big inkjet or solvent/eco-solvent device, look into a large trimmer.
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