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nottypical · May 1st, 2009

Ok, so I'm new to the forum and new to design and the programs available. I've been reading posts off this forum for awhile now and you guys and gals have really helped me make major decisions. 1) Get the Roland GX-24 and 2) Get a good heat press, I'm looking at the Hotronix line. Any advice here is welcome as well.

To get to the point I don't know which software to get. I've narrowed it down to either CorelDRAW X4 or Illustrator CS4. I know from previous threads that Corel is easier to learn, but I'm good with computers and learn well on them.

To give you a little background I'm looking to print mainly t-shirts to start, but I want to expand, thus my GX-24 choice. I have a guy that does some pretty cool designs that I want to print up for him and see how they do. My main things is there is a high demand in this area from schools, businesses bowling leagues etc.

If all goes well I'll be doing signs, car decals, dvd pics, stickers, bags, t-shirts, etc.

I'm looking at Vista for my operating system. So, which program would be better for my particular needs and are both Corel X4 and Illustrator CS4 compatible with the Roland GX-24?

Or would I need an older version of that software. I'm not concerned with the price.

Any help you pros can give would be greatly appreciated.

nottypical · May 1st, 2009

Oh also I'm having problems choosing a printer. I'm looking at the Epson R1900 (8 color ink) and the Epson Artisan 800 All in One (6 color ink). I know some people said to stay away from the all in one, but this one has the seperate colors and I need a scanner and copier in my office as well. Any advice there?

MotoskinGraphix · May 1st, 2009

I'm not so sure I wouldnt be looking at a quality sign creation program that directly interacts with your cutter. I have corel, AI, Photoshop but use Flexi for just about everything.

nottypical · May 1st, 2009

I looked at flexi for signs, but I thought I'd need something else for when I'm doning t-shirts and stuff.

cervantez · May 2nd, 2009

flexi is good i have it ..... but corel with plug in for cut studios. all you need for viny gecals, shirts etc..IMHO flexi kicks a but it harder to learn than cut stusios.. for print and cut transfers flexi rules..

iprint03 · December 21st, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by nottypical


	Oh also I'm having problems choosing a printer. I'm looking at the Epson R1900 (8 color ink) and the Epson Artisan 800 All in One (6 color ink). I know some people said to stay away from the all in one, but this one has the seperate colors and I need a scanner and copier in my office as well. Any advice there?

havent heard any recommendation using the artisan series.maybe it's because the size of printable limitation is what's holding backpeople form getting it over the r series.

i would like to give it a try if money and time permits.

DTFuqua · December 21st, 2009

I have Corel Draw X4 for shirts signs and rhinestones. I don't know why anyone would need something as expensive a flexi except for bragging rights. I have flexi starter and it is terrible just trying to import files to use for just cutting. I bought it before I figured out why my corel draw wasn't working with my cutter, which is a Graphtec and I love it too.

miktoxic · December 21st, 2009

man if i could afford a new heat press i'd got with the hottronix air swinger. take a look at it here:

i bought my gx-24 from josh at imprintables and LOVE IT!!!
maybe you could get a package deal. i know they offer a discount on the gx-24 to members of this forum (or at least they did when i bought mine. i'd call and ask.) and they're very nice and will help you with anything even if it doesn't lead to a sale.

i use the cutstudio plugin through illustrator and is a piece of cake because you're just sending what you've created to the cutter with the click of your mouse. but of course you'd have to know illustrator.

corel or illustrator. that is the great debate here. i personally use illustrator because it integrates seemlessly with adobe's other software that i use (indesign, flash, photoshop etc.). if designing for shirts to be printed for silkscreen you could use either a vector based graphics program (corel or illustrator) or bitmap based program (photoshop). most printers prefer vector but should be able to handle either. when it comes to cutting you can only use vector files.

MotoskinGraphix · December 21st, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by DTFuqua


	I have Corel Draw X4 for shirts signs and rhinestones. I don't know why anyone would need something as expensive a flexi except for bragging rights. I have flexi starter and it is terrible just trying to import files to use for just cutting. I bought it before I figured out why my corel draw wasn't working with my cutter, which is a Graphtec and I love it too.

Simply, because its built to do the job....simply!!!!

DTFuqua · December 21st, 2009

Taking into account the hardware I use which is a grapjtec plotter and epson printers along with a samsung mono laser printer, as well as the things I described that I do with them, what can flexi do that I can't do with corel draw?

MotoskinGraphix · December 22nd, 2009

I dont think Corel cuts vinyl without a plugin. I dont think Corels color profiles have the popular vinyl color charts. My flexi working space color profile is oracal 651 and that makes color matching simple. The tools are simply labeled. The line and node editing are much simpler. Flexi...depending on what version you have has a RIP.

miktoxic · December 22nd, 2009

flexi is specificaaly designed for the sign cutting industry as corel or illustrator are designed for designers who want to be able to cut (with the roland and cutstudio plugin).

DTFuqua · December 22nd, 2009

The plug-in works great so no problems cutting except for poor art work preperation. If I don't have the color vinyl setting where I can look at, I have a "swatch" folder that has all the types and colors that oracal puts out. I never said that flexi might not be easier to get some things done but is that ease of use worth the thousands of dollars Flexi costs? Not to me.

MotoskinGraphix · December 23rd, 2009

If you are a vinyl cutting company, pro tools are pro tools, you can take a screw out with a knife but you can do a better job with the appropriate screw driver.

DTFuqua · December 23rd, 2009

I won't press my point farther. I buy craftsman and you buy snap-on

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