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Hello everyone I need your help once again!! I am a one man vinyl sign maker here in Hawaii. Many of my customers are asking me if i do large format digital printing. I am looking into buying a digital printer but dont know where to start. I heard that that the encad novacut is pretty good. But i dont need a cutter built in. I am looking for a 24" or 36" printer that can print indoor and outdoor and on different subtrates. I dont have a big budget so i am wondering if anyone knows of any "cheap" deals out there. any one use a encad croma 24 before??? how is it?? is it good to start off with? any and all help if greatly appriciated. oh and do you know of where i can get maybe a demo unit or a used or refurbished one they are usally much cheaper..
Since you don't know where to start, this is what I would do...
1) Make a list of what you expect from your digital printer.
2) Contact the various distributors/manufacturers and request literature, sample prints, equipment prices, and recommended inks/foils.
3) Go through the information and make a "Pro's and Con's" list.
4) CAREFULLY read the warranty information.
5) Calculate the costs per square foot, setup costs to do each job, and cost per hour. A good rule of thumb is to figure 240 working days per year and a 3 year life span for the equipment.
Some questions to ask are......
*Does the print require any lamination. If so, what will a quality laminator cost?
*If going with an injet printer, can I switch types of inks or is it best to stick with one type only?
*What kind of support is the distributor/manufacturer going to give?
*What are my "True Costs"?
You asked if there were any "cheap deals." Do yourself a favor and don't start from there. Digital printing isn't as easy as it looks. There is a huge learning curve involved. If your budget is too limited, I suggest farming the work out to a printhouse such as Gregory or Ad Graphics. Build up your market that way first and set aside some money each week so that you can buy what you need and get it the way you need it. Digital printing is something you really don't want to cut corners on. It can end up costing you a whole lot more than you saved going "cheap".
If you're just starting to add digital to your product mix, I'd strongly suggest that you outsource. This allows you to establish your market before investing in equipment, which may or may not satisfy your needs. When your volumes justify an equipment purchase, you'll have a far better sense of what to buy ... and presumably, more dough in the bank with which to buy it.
Keep in mind that if a $2000 printer existed that would print all kinds of signs for both indoor and outdoor use, EVERYONE would have one. But, as yet, no such product exists.
Here's a couple of DuraChrome users in your area. They can print outdoor durable images up to 50 inches wide, with both process and/or spot colors onto white or clear vinyl. Excellent for vehicle, window and floor graphics, as well as most general signage.
Pacific Photo Engraving Ken Kawano 808-593-2922
Access Signs Tom Hipolito 808-488-1795
If you have questions about preparing files for wide format output, please feel free to call me at 800.527.7778 x 106.
Best Regards,
------------------ Jim Doggett Vice President Summa, Inc.
Seattle, WA USA jim@summusa.com
[This message has been edited by Jim Doggett (edited April 18, 2001).]
Posts: 500 | From: Sherman, TX USA | Registered: Mar 2000
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