Discuss the various aspects of heat pressed vinyl transfers. Popular and new types of vinyl media, suppliers, vinyl cutters /plotters, press times, quality, how to instructions and more can be found in this heat press sub forum.
I suppose I should add what I do know and what I'd like to know for certain...
The CE5000-60 uses standard Graphtec blades, whereas the GX-24 supposedly needs special Camm-1 blades. Is this true? If we go with the Roland, will we someday suddenly not be able to find blades for it anymore?
I know I'd like us to someday do embroidery. Will the CE5000-60 cut twill? It says it's maximum material thickness is .010" and I can't find any information on whether it will cut twill or not.
I don't think we'll ever need to worry about cutting along registration marks, so the optical eye isn't necessary, but out of curiosity, does the Graphtec have that?
Also, the Graphtec comes with a stand while the Roland doesn't.
Oh, and is there a plugin for the Roland that will allow you to cut directly from Illustrator or CorelDRAW X3?
Overall, which is the better machine as far as durability? We don't plan on making much money for the first couple of years, so will we need to replace either machine after, say, five years?
Thanks for anything you can tell me!
Last edited by Chani; June 19th, 2007 at 12:55 AM.
Graphtec and Roland both make super quality machines. Blades will be available for both so dont make that a deciding point. You should also look at the Suma brand plotters.
Thanks! I'll ask Mark about those and look into it myself.
I guess I should put it like this, which machine will give us more bang for the buck.
Graphtec @ $1400 or Roland @ $1600?
BTW, after reading so many posts here about problems with Spectra Cut II, I think we'd throw out the vinyl that comes with the Roland, so I'm not counting that as a bonus.
I do embroidery, and it might be possible to cut twill with the roland gx-24, But I would not recommend or want to bother with it, you will be going though blades left and right and spending time setting it up that just doesnt need to be spent and wasting material. There are flat bed cutters (such as Ioline) that are made for cutting twill, you can just slap any size scrap piece on it and cut, we have one but don't even use it anymore, now we use a laser...
The main advantages of the Roland would be the ability to cut twill in one pass under warranty (there are special blades for this). And the software capabilities for the optic eye function (mainly the auto trace feature).
The main advantages of the Roland would be the ability to cut twill in one pass under warranty (there are special blades for this). And the software capabilities for the optic eye function (mainly the auto trace feature).
Well, I'm pretty sure we wouldn't be doing either, but it's good to know.
The main selling point for me right now for the Roland is that Imprintables offers a lifetime loaner program. That's valuable to me.
Chani,
Whichever plotter you chose, make sure you know what you're getting. Josh and Imprintables are an excellent resource for information. They have tested the materials and continue to do so daily. They can back you up very well and we are also available for any questions. The difference between the Roland and the Graphtec won't be found in the specs or the price, but in the experience after the sale. Our cutters have a 2 year warranty and we have a very good presence in the industry. While the graphtec comes with plugins for Corel and Illustrator, we offer a full software package, CutStudio, with our cutter along with plugins for Corel and Illustrator. Our software is very easy to use.
If you're still curious, type "GX-24" into your search engine and see which videos come up. Then you'll have a better idea of what you're getting into.
I completely agree that service is key. I know what I'll get for service from both Imprintables and the place we're looking at getting the Graphtec from.
As for what we're getting, I'm still learning, but Mark is the one that knows plotters. He runs them every day at work.
The Graphtec also comes with a program. I forget what it's called, but it's either standalone or acts as a plugin for X3.
As for specs, both machines are VERY similar. The main difference that I see is that the Roland will cut twill, but Mark assures me that we won't be doing that.
So I'm still torn. I guess we have about a month to decide, tho.
Any program that comes with the plotter is a simple solution. Software is the key and there are some killer although high dollar solutions out there. We also run a plotter everyday so look at all three machines, the feed and lengyh of a run.
This is a discussion about I hate to do this, but...Roland vs. Graphtec? that was posted in the Vinyl Cutters (Plotters) and Transfers section of the forums.
I hate to do this, but...Roland vs. Graphtec? 
