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I am on the brink of purchasing my first vinyl/printer...a Graphtec JX2100. It has 8 printheads, capable of cymk photo realistic printing.
It is a large investment 19,000.00 plus accesories amounting to another five grand or so. I have handpainted signs part time for the past 33 years while working fulltime as a fire Captain. I am now retired and want to pursue the cutter/printing area.
I am looking for good sound advice as to the merit of this machine. Has any user engaged any unforseen problems that were expensive to rectify. Where there problems with clogged print heads? Cutter problems? Anything pro or con about cymk, dye inks, and pigmented inks used in this machine? Will it accept after-market media? Is the rip sufficient...what would be a better alternative to the rip tht comes with the JX2100? Is there a newer and better model ready to come out next year? Would it be better to wait for it...(if there is}?
Any information that will help me in my deceision, is welcomed.
It has been a ten year dream to own a cutter...and now a cutter/printer (beyond my wildest dreams!) is a reality....but I don't want to make a serious mistake and regret it later.
I know I could call the manufacturer or one of their retail outlets....which I have done . But I want to turn to the people who really know...the users themselves. Salesmen will tell you anything as we all know (well,some of them).
This is a sincere effort to enlist your advice in this matter.
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Jim, you might research the Letterhead archives to see what is there. There is not a broad inkjet knowlege base at this site. Each of us knows our own equipment and little about others.
I think both Summa and Graphtec are represented at this site. Maybe they can shed some light on the subject.
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Jim, Before I would blow out 24 grand on a machine. I would attend the Big Show in Long Beach on Aug 15-17. Then you can compare apples to oranges. Most of the large format printer people will be there, then you can find out what suits your needs. Also don't be shy to ask how much for the "demo machine" you will see a big drop in price. but it still carries the same warranty. Good luck...
-------------------- aka:Cisco the "Traveling Millennium Sign Artist" http://www.franciscovargas.com Fresno, CA 93703 559 252-0935 "to live life, is to love life, a sign of no life, is a sign of no love"...Cisco 12'98 Posts: 3576 | From: Fresno, Ca, the great USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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Jim, Francisco brought up a good point. See it work, man, before you blow the dough.
more tips- bring some of your own artwork, i.e. a high-res pic, and see if they will print it for you right there. Typically, some of these "zippidee-doodah" prints hanging out of these gizmos have been professionally scanned and touched up for hours to get a great "sample". If any of them balk or give you the run-around, RUN!!
Also ask to see more than one print. Some machines give a great pic, then the next one is yellowish, the next one bluish, etc. Repeatability is important.
"production speed" is term often abused. If a machine has a quoted "production speed" of 667 sq. feet per second, often that is the PRINT speed- the actual file RIP can take hours!!!
Materials- do you have more than one distributor? Will they stock most basic materials, or is it always a long wait?
I skimmed the website quick, and found no reference to outdoor durability. Ask whether you need to laminate to get more than X months of color-fastness? Most thermal ink-jets have poor outdoor durability.
Some thoughts...Hope it helps.
-------------------- Steve Burke Cascades Inc NS Canada
If at first you don't succeed, skydiving isn't for you Posts: 359 | From: NS Canada | Registered: Jan 2002
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. But I want to turn to the people who really know...the users themselves. Salesmen will tell you anything as we all know (well,some of them).
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