kasabian

Hello ladies and gentlemen,

I'm a bit of a beginner to this side of things (I usually do screen-printing), but I'm looking to get a CRAFT ROBO thingymajig.

Basically I just want it to cut out my designs that I'm going to be printing on T-shirt Transfer Paper, to then use on a heat press.

I also might make my own die-cut stickers and things, just for a bit of fun.

So I guess my question is; will I be able to do this stuff with the craft robo?

I'm found 2 for sale here in the UK. I'm not sure what the difference is between the 2.

Stamposaurus Craft Supplies, major Sakura and Craft Robo Stockists

and

A3 CRAFT CUT ROBO VINYL CUTTER PLOTTER W REGESTRATION on eBay, also, Vinyl Cutters, Printing Graphic Arts, Business, Office Industrial (end time 01-Jun-08 11:15:54 BST)

Which one would you say is better for what I want to do?

Thanks!!!

 

Reply With Quote

COEDS

Is there a reason you are considering the craft robo brand? If not then I would look at the UScutter brand. I think you will get a larger more capable cutter for your money. IMHO .... JB

__________________
RIP: 1964 - 2008

 

Reply With Quote

KirstWhite

I purchased a CraftRobo about a year ago. It works well for cutting heat set vinyl and stickers, but I have never been able to use the print and cut feature. The cutter won't read the registration marks and I've never found anyone able to tell me how to make it work, either at the distributor or through Graphtec. If your primary reason for buying a cutter is to use this feature, I woulndn't recommend it.

 

Reply With Quote

kasabian

Quote: Originally Posted by COEDS Is there a reason you are considering the craft robo brand?

Because that seems to be the only low budget cutter available here in the U.K. Plus everyone seems to have one and praises it.

 

Reply With Quote

kasabian

Quote: Originally Posted by KirstWhite I purchased a CraftRobo about a year ago. It works well for cutting heat set vinyl and stickers, but I have never been able to use the print and cut feature. The cutter won't read the registration marks and I've never found anyone able to tell me how to make it work, either at the distributor or through Graphtec. If your primary reason for buying a cutter is to use this feature, I woulndn't recommend it.

What's the difference between cutting vinyl and stickers, and the "print and cut" feature? You mean cutting all the way through the paper, and completely cutting out the shape you want?

 

Reply With Quote

KirstWhite

There's not really a big difference, but the pressure usually needs to be just a bit higher when cutting shirt vinlyl as opposed to sticker vinyl.

The print and cut feature is supposed to allow you to print an item with registration marks and an outline, say on photo transfer paper, then put it on a carrier sheet, load it into the plotter and then cut out around it on the outline. The machine is supposed to read the registration marks thereby alowing it to cut exactly on your outline so you don't have to cut it out by hand. I've never been able to get my machine to read the registration marks.

For everything else it really is pretty good, you just can't give it too much data to cut at one time if you have a really complicated design -- you have to set it up with different color cut lines and then cut each cut line separately.

If you're a very small business or just doing things for yourself, I'd recommend it. My business has grown enough now that I've really outgrown it and wish I'd purchased the Roland Gx-24 up front.

 

Reply With Quote

CuttingEdge

Quote: Originally Posted by kasabian Hello ladies and gentlemen, I'm a bit of a beginner to this side of things (I usually do screen-printing), but I'm looking to get a CRAFT ROBO thingymajig. Basically I just want it to cut out my designs that I'm going to be printing on T-shirt Transfer Paper, to then use on a heat press. I also might make my own die-cut stickers and things, just for a bit of fun. So I guess my question is; will I be able to do this stuff with the craft robo? I'm found 2 for sale here in the UK. I'm not sure what the difference is between the 2. Stamposaurus Craft Supplies, major Sakura and Craft Robo Stockists and A3 CRAFT CUT ROBO VINYL CUTTER PLOTTER W REGESTRATION on eBay, also, Vinyl Cutters, Printing Graphic Arts, Business, Office Industrial (end time 01-Jun-08 11:15:54 BST) Which one would you say is better for what I want to do? Thanks!!!

With the CraftROBO, the software necessary to design and perform cuts (while perhaps leaving you to wish for better) will be included in the package. However it's achillies heel is the stock blade set-up which can be over come for additional expense.

I am not familar with the Craft Cut Robo you are comparing it to. In reading the link, I do like the common blade compatability and it appears to be feature packed, however unless you have Corel or AI to interface with the included windows driver, you will have additional design and cutting software expense before cutting. Does this model seems as common in Europe? Does it yet have a reputation for reliability?

The decision is your's to make, either model should perform what you have requested in your post with the software exceptions stated above.

Both models are hobbiest oriented and will invariably have limitations.

I use a CraftROBO CC200-20 for contour cutting Ink Transfers and ImageStixx stickers. Sometimes I design with Corel X3, launching to the CraftROBO and sometime I design in the included RoboMaster; both with success.

 

Reply With Quote