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 am getting confuse on the terminology when it comes to a printer/cutter (vinyl), what I am looking for is a economical way of creating a multi-color images (say a simple clipart) for vehicle graphics. Can I use my present Epson C8+ inkjet to print the vehicle transfer sheet ,and then cut with a vinyl cutter? I hope this a some what rational question ? I always see it mentioned for printing transfer sheet for tshirts , where can I get transfer sheets for vehicle graphics (in Canada)? Also, will these vehicle transfer sheets be aplied to the windows and body of a the vehicle?
Sorry for all the questions, but I am new and I really really really trying to grasp a better understanding. So, any help on these questions will be appreciated.
Yes, you can contour cut around stickers, too, if you have a plotter with that capability. What it needs is an automatic registration mark sensor.
There is printable sticker material that you could print with your inkjet printer and cut with your plotter, but I'm not sure how durable they would be on car applications. The problem will be that your ink will fade horribly over time, especially if your sticker is in direct sunlight.
I'm not sure where you'd get sticker material, in the US or in Canada. Sorry. I wish I could help you there.
I'd be happy to answer any questions you have on contour cutting with a plotter.
What is a plotter, is that like a ink jet printer?
If I purchase a plotter do I need a vinyl cutter also, for creating real, not stickers, vehicle graphics?
I would like to print or is it plot a photo ,say one I took with my own camera and I want to make a vehicle graphic with a transfer sheet (I think this is the term used), what would I need (minus the computer) ?
I'm sorry if I may have misunderstood your question.
But to answer the question about vinyl cutters and plotters, they're one in the same. A vinyl cutter is a plotter.
To print on true vehicle vinyl, you would need a solvent printer or a printer/plotter like the Roland Versacam. That will set you back a minimum of $10,000, and I wouldn't go for one that's less than a 54" machine, so it will be more around $14-16,000.
To be able to do cull vehicle wraps, if that's what you're talking about, is very expensive.
If you're just trying to print out window graphics, you's still need a printer that would print on a special kind of vinyl, and that will run a few thousand itself, plus a plotter (or again, a printer/plotter combo unit).
Tee...to get a better understanding check out all the threads on vinyl cutters. As Chani said...plotter, cutter all the same..with it you can cut vinyl for tee shirts...but on in solid colors...no photos...you can use special paper and inkjet to print an image and have any cutter WITH OPTIC EYE or other registration system to contour cut around the image.
Okay, it is starting to make sense now,the fog is clearing. Just one last question, so is there a transfer sheet or vinylon the market that anyone would suggest to use, and please remember I am cheap so I want something that is standard item,and still easy on the pocket book. Perferred somewhere in Canada so I do not have to pay those duty taxes.
Again, if I have not mentioned already thank you all for the guidence.
P.S. the Roland GX- 24 vinyl cutter is a reliable cutter, also any ideas on the I think its called the Stukia (I may be wrong on the spelling) are these 15" cutters worth the buy.
If you do decide to get a 15" plotter, spend the little extra and get a Graphtec CE5000-40 CraftROBO Pro. It's exactly the same machine as a Ce5000-60 24" plotter, just a little smaller.
Key differences between the 15" Stika and CR Pro:
First, the Stika is a hobby machine, meant for hobbyists. The CR Pro is a professional machine and built for the task.
Stika: Stepper motors. CR Pro: Servo motors.
Stika: Manual registration mark system. CR Pro: Automatic registration mark system.
Stika: accepts 15" media and cuts up to about 13.5" wide. CR Pro: accepts 19" media and cust up to 14.7" wide.
I'm not just saying this because we have a Graphtec. I'm saying this because those two machines are truly in different classes from each other.
I freely admit that the Roland GX-24 is a great plotter, but the Stika's are lesser machines. The CR Pro is in line with the CE5000-60 plotter that we have, only a little smaller.
Help: Print and cutter vinyl cutter 
Re: Help: Print and cutter vinyl cutter 
What it needs is an automatic registration mark sensor.
Just one last question, so is there a transfer sheet or vinylon the market that anyone would suggest to use, and please remember I am cheap so I want something that is standard item,and still easy on the pocket book. Perferred somewhere in Canada so I do not have to pay those duty taxes. 
