What ya think of this video of the Black Cat Cutter?
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Discuss the different methods of adding some bling to your designs. Rhinestone and rhinestud transfers, templates, equipment, software and supplies are inlcuded in this forum.
What ya think of this video of the Black Cat Cutter?
What ya think of this video of the Black Cat Cutter?
Found this on you tube looking for information on Rhinestones. Beginner for now. Lots of research on the different machines and software and stones and materials and tapes.
This price really stood out, when comparing.
Found your forum during research. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
re: What ya think of this video of the Black Cat Cutter?
Well I found it interesting, the person making the video was using inkscape, to create, which we all have, lol
I will have to try her technique,,,
I have not heard of the cutter before,, I wonder if charles has, as he knows just about everything, lol
I will try to find a lil more info, it does use a cutting mat like the machines that accugraphics sells, so on the same principle, of cutting techinique.
MMM
__________________ Sandy Jo MMM www.rhinestonetemplates.com Life is a circle, What comes around Goes around!
re: What ya think of this video of the Black Cat Cutter?
The Black Cat machines were introduced by Dawn Grantham, a former KNK dealer of ours in the UK, along with some computer tech dude she knows. They've been selling cutters for about a year, which makes them very new to the cutter business and a very small company. That's Dawn herself who made the video that looks so similar to mine.
Originally, they were going to be using Win PC Sign as their software but, in the 11th hour, they had a major falling out with Sign Max who makes that software. Since they already had their machines ready to ship but had no software, they made a last minute decision to go with Inkscape as their designing software and then, as you can see, they have the files exported to Sign Cut, which is the software used to cut to their Black Cat machines.
What was stunning to the crafting world a year ago was their introduction of their "Black Cat Converter"... a supposed break-through program to convert Graphtec's GSD files to a format that other programs could import. They sell it now for 25 British pounds, although I believe it was more like 35 pounds when first introduced. The amazing thing is that it's nothing more than a free print-to-file driver that anyone can download from Roland's web site. In fact... here's the link to where you can get it:
Once installed, it shows up as a printer and you can use it to print a gsd from RoboMaster to a .plt file, which most other vector graphics programs can import.
When Dawn first announced this "program", everyone in the crafting world (including myself) was so excited and thrilled to finally have a method for converting GSD files. But then, when one of our other KNK dealers looked into the driver and found Roland's name on it, we were extremely concerned about the legalities and I remember quite a few of my own KNK customers were quite unhappy upon learning that Dawn and her partner had done nothing more than make a few changes to mask this driver as something unique and were selling it for their own profit. But they justified it by saying they would provide support and assistance to anyone needing to learn how to use it. I suppose that's how they still get away with selling it over a year later.
As for their cutters and level of support... I only know two people in the UK who have bought one and one of those people has already come to me for support because Dawn has shut her off. That's what I know so far.
re: What ya think of this video of the Black Cat Cutter?
I heard I was being discussed over here in the T shirt forum, so I though it might be an idea to introduce myself and set the record straight. then if any of you wish to ask questions of me - I'll be delighted to answer.
I am Dawn of Thyme Graphics and proud to be part owner of the Black Cat Cutters
Firstly I have been selling cutters for three years now, and Black Cats for 16 months. My partner, the "computer dude" has been selling them for more years than he will admit! We are not a small company at all in terms of our distribution, we have retailers in the UK and Europe, two in the US and three in Australia.
Yes we were going to use Funtime Deluxe, but signmax consistently failed to live up to their promises and as I care about my customers I was not prepared to use to software that was not what it should be. So we choose to use Inkscape and Signcut. As many of you will already know, Inkscape is a very powerful piece of designing software and because it is free it is one of the reasons we are able to offer competitive prices. Signcut has plug-ins which open the file directly from within Inkscape, Illustrator and CorelDraw so we have the advantage of being able to design in any one of those three softwares.
We also don't need to use a windows emulator to run the software and cutters on Macintosh computers.
Regarding the gsd converter, yes we charge for the guide and the self installing program we wrote to use the driver and for the support we give to our many customers. I have had people who are not as computer literate as they would like to be, they have struggled to install the roland driver themselves and have not been successful. Then they come to me, I install the program for them and demonstrate how to use it and will continue to do so until they are confident in its use. Thats what the charge is for... all of us who are in business make our decisions as to where we charge and where we don't. Sandy charges her KNK customers for many of her videos - mine are all free, its just a difference of where charges are applied.
Regarding my customer service, the number of machines I sell by word of mouth speaks for itself, I have sold several hundred machines in the last year with no advertising whatsoever. I happen to pride myself on my support, my customers know they can contact me at any time and I will respond and that includes customers who have purchased through my distributors. We are a small company as regards the number of personal, but that is because I prefer to deal directly with my customers, to ensure they receive the very best support I can offer. Yes one customer has been banned from the forum. But then I think any company who receives abusive and drunken phone calls and emails would ban that person and she has not been cut off from support at all. She has been cut off from receiving my personal support as I am the person she abused, but my partner will offer her support whenever she needs or wants it.
Having responded to the rather derogatory remarks I will not continue this matter and won't respond to any other remarks made. Now to get back to the real world if anyone wants info on the cutters feel free to email me or to post here and I will reply to my best ability.
Last edited by Girlzndollz; 1 Week Ago at 09:18 PM.
Reason: Removed comment regarding sales opportunities per TSF guidelines. Pls feel free to give technical info w/o sales pitches. TY.
re: What ya think of this video of the Black Cat Cutter?
Since my post several weeks ago I took it upon myself to do my own research. I have since seen and had the opportunity to see the KNK and the Black Cat side by side. Bit of traveling on my part but well worth it. Very nice lady saw my post and has both machines and kindly offered to demonstrate them so I could take my pick.
Lucky for me. She has used both and gave me quick rundown on them.
To put your ears to rest, Ta Da, I have a 24" Black Cat machine paid and waiting on its arrival.
Thyme will you be here for any questions I might have or should I just use that other link I was given.
....
.... All I want to do is "BLING"
....
Last edited by Girlzndollz; 1 Week Ago at 09:21 PM.
Reason: Removed all sales requests and OT comments directed toward other members.
re: What ya think of this video of the Black Cat Cutter?
Hey TshirtBetty,
Thats great news that you are getting a Black Cat - welcome to the family! And I'm very glad you got a chance to look at both machines. Sure, I'll be here for any questions, I can't promise to be here all the time, but if you reply to this I will get a notification and will pop in to answer you. Plus here is my email - feel free to use it. The other link is the Black Cat forum? If so I am there too. Contact me any of those ways, they are all fine. When you get your cutter I'll be around to help you if you have any questions or problems...
So is it the rhinestones then that you want to work with? If so get yourself the detail blade holder and the 60 degree blade. That will then cut beautiful circles in the sandblast vinyl (thats the material I used on the rhinestone video)
I'll be looking forward to seeing your results!
And its good to meet you
Dawn
Last edited by Girlzndollz; 1 Week Ago at 09:22 PM.
Reason: Removed personal comments directed at another member.
Re: What ya think of this video of the Black Cat Cutter?
Thread Note:
Please be aware. Some posts have been editted in this thread. It is alright for people to share information regarding companies as they know it to be true, on both sides. Each party is welcome to enter correct information into the thread, to set the "record straight" so to say.
But, any direct comments made personally "about" another member, not the products or service, will be removed. Such comments are not in the spirit of the forum. This is an educational, business forum and all comments should remain above the level of getting personal.
Stick with the facts regarding products, services, etc, but please do not discuss personal issues with each other in the threads.
Additionally, requests for sales, sales information, and sales posts should remain in PM, via email, or through a companies business website. The forum threads are not a place to conduct business. It is a place for learning about the industry, products, services, etc.
Any questions at all, please feel free to ask me VIA PM, not in the thread. That is also against forum guidelines.
Thank you very much, have a great night all...
Kelly =)
__________________ Please ask Q's in the threads as I may not see your PM. A many wonderful folk will be willing to help you. Apologies to those not answered, as I sign on sporadically these days. Thx 4 undrstnding. Have a great day.
Re: What ya think of this video of the Black Cat Cutter?
Quote:
Originally Posted by sjidohair
and what inkscape can do for rhinestoners,
Is there some education or tuitorals available for others that want to play with inkscape and designs,
thanks
MMM
Do you mean inkscape tutorials?
If yes, there are plenty of them on Youtube, as well, many members here use it and there are threads with help available. Anytime someone has a question on Inkscape - I am sure if they post it, it will be likely someone here can help with that.. quite in the way Luis and others help with CorelDraw.
If not, the above will certainly be able to help someone who is looking for help using Inkscape to design.
__________________ Please ask Q's in the threads as I may not see your PM. A many wonderful folk will be willing to help you. Apologies to those not answered, as I sign on sporadically these days. Thx 4 undrstnding. Have a great day.
What ya think of this video of the Black Cat Cutter? 
MMM 
