posted
Shane I dont use one but I have seen it in action at another local home-based shop (they're Letterheads too).
It's a slick tool too... if you could just find the same clear transfer film they use, you could build your own very easily if yer the industrious type.
------------------ Mike Pipes Digital Illusion Custom Graphics Lake Havasu City, AZ http://www.stickerpimp.com
Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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posted
A few years ago, we had one special made just for 18 by 24's and under. Like all new tools, you have to play around with it to achieve comfort level. The production people have never warmed up to it except for those jobs where they are laying vinyl over vinyl and they want to see what they are doing.
We used to have a high school kid who worked mostly Saturdays. He thought the speed press was just fine, and he could fly through a bunch of identical 18x24's or a set of golf tee signs.
The biggest problem in my shop is, it is always dirty, and the adhesive on the speed press is a big foreign object collector. The speed press has to be stored wrapped, and if the counter is not wiped immediately before using the speed press, it will pick up all the dust and dirt.
In summary, its going to be a personal preference thing with you. I think the speed press is faster than transfer tape on repetitive jobs, even with the obstacles. Vic G
posted
I used to use a SpeedPress at another shop where I used to work. We actually had two sizes; 36x24 and 60x24. I thought they worked great on small stuff and also banners. A lot of money though.
------------------ Mike"Spud"Kelly theSignWorx Ashburnham, MA 978.827.4439
"Your reputation is made by others; your character is made by you."
Posts: 367 | From: Westminster, MA | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
The "Speed Press" will be demonstrated at the Duck Soup Splatter Jam for those interested.I belive it is Ideal for the one man shop for LARGE areas,trucks,banners,etc. Also the time SAVED in application and the money saved in price of transfer tape.Not to mention discarding said transfer tape.MORE than pays for itself over time.As far as dust collection! This is true,But.... can be cleaned with ease at minimum expense. Hope this helps
------------------ PKing is Pat King of King Sign Design in McCalla,Alabama The Professor of SIGNOLOGY
Posts: 3113 | From: Pompano Beach, FL. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I agreee with Pat. I have looked at the amount of waste in transfer paper and the problems with overlay and it seems like a good deal to me. I do believe there are some drawbacks (my perception - anything with a curved surface like a car or truck quarter panels) but as a single person shop I think I will probably pick one up myself.
------------------ Brian Diver PDQ Signs Everett, Wa
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The Speed Press Rocks! ...especially for a high volume vinyl operation... get yourself 1 24x48 or even better a longer one to do banners... & a roll of that sticky stuff... yell at your lazy *ssd employees to learn how to use it & keep the shop clean.... also make them reuse the sticky stuff a couple of times... & stop waisting so much ap tape!
------------------ Glenn S. Harris Lorio Design Baton Rouge, LA allorio@bellsouth.net
Seems like it may be a wise purchase, but i'm not sure. There are plenty of times when I work alone on a banner, or whatever. It seems like the speedpress would help considerably. The website seems to imply that you can use the film over and over (and over...).
I don't know, alot of folks are saying it's pricey, but $389 seems to be a steal if it really does save time and tape (and frustration).
I'm still reading, so if anybody has anymore comments, please do share.
-shane
PS, Does anyone else have a suspicion that the special speedpress application tape is just the same as regular Clear app tape?
posted
We have had the Speed press for a couple of years now and for the most part I use it for multiples of coroplast and magnetic signs. Recently did a series of logos on mdo and it helped quite a bit. The tape on mine is only 18" wide which has been a hinderance. Really not any good for vehicles with curved surfaces and the like, plus the metal frame will scratch if you are not careful. Clean the tape off with windex and a paper towel and it still has good adhesive properties. Ratings on 5 star basis: Three stars. Wish it was more useful.
------------------ Wright Signs Wyandotte, Michigan Since 1978 www.wrightsigns.outputto.com All change isn't progress, and all progress isn't forward.
Posts: 2785 | From: Wyandotte, MI USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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posted
I may get "broadsided here" but, I have watched people (trade shows) demonstrate these, I couldn't see any decrease in the time to apply when compared to someone experienced in "wet" application(we be talkin Rapid Tac or Tac II here!!!)
Not to mention whats been brought up here before "they don't work on curved surfaces, only flat".
Looks like your better off gettin faster at "wet Rapid Tac applications", beleive me if you get used to it the time and damage savings more then pay for the transfer tape used !!
Roger
------------------ Roger Bailey Rapid Tac Incorporated Waikoloa, Hawaii
posted
I've got one of the larger ones about 3' x 5' Had it for a couple years now and when I first got it I used it as much as possible to try and save tape and trash. It's great for layering colors since it's clear. Makes it real easy. And like Dave said, just clean off the tape with windex and a paper towel when it gets dusty and keep using it. If I remember right you can get about 30 uses out of it before changing the tape. I can see if you did a lot of repetitive signs it would be the ticket, but for me it's still faster to use transfer tape.
------------------ When good things happen...that must be a sign!! Ace Graphics & Printing P.O. Box 91 Camdenton, MO. USA (573) 346-6696 <daddyo@advertisnet.com>
Posts: 1196 | From: Camdenton, MO. USA | Registered: Oct 1999
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posted
Keep in mind: we had an entire ROLL of the sticky stuff at the shop I worked at. I used the thing as much as possible, and I reused the the sticky tape as many times as I could (2 or 3 at the most). I can't see how transfer tape and wet application would be faster except for vehicles. I never wet ap on anything but vehicles, aluminum, or slick surfaces & even then rarely. Vinyl application is a skill. The only time I ever saw the need for wet ap is in severe heat or if It was a very large peice of premium vinyl with a high risk factor. On the table, why use ap tape: Weed, grab speed press, roll or squeegee onto vinyl, position over substrate, roll or squegee down. Very simple, very fast. I repeat: Speed Press Rocks! I don't own the company.
------------------ Glenn S. Harris Lorio Design Baton Rouge, LA allorio@bellsouth.net
posted
I gotta say that for layering vinyl on the bench, the SpeedPress rocks. And as far as the tape goes, I applied vinyl to 24 18"x24" coroplast signs without changing the tape. Also, we put DuckTape on the back side to keep from scratching anything. I also made a cabinet to store our two in, flat. Helped keep the dust from clinging to the tape.
------------------ Mike"Spud"Kelly theSignWorx Ashburnham, MA 978.827.4439
"Your reputation is made by others; your character is made by you."
Posts: 367 | From: Westminster, MA | Registered: Mar 2001
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