Graphtec Craft Robo to cut opaque transfers? Any issues?
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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.
Graphtec Craft Robo to cut opaque transfers? Any issues?
You're much better off spending just a little more money and buying a USCutter LaserPoint plotter. It will allow you to cut up to 24", and has a registration mark system for contour cutting transfers. It's a manual system, but if you're not doing high volume it should work for you.
I've seen too many people have real problems with the Graphtec CraftROBO CC200-20 that I just cannot recommend that system.
Now, if you could spend about $950, the CraftROBO Pro CE5000-40 is a good machine.
And the very best machine for contour cutting is a Roland GX-24, but it's quite a bit more expensive than what you're looking for, I'm sure.
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If Dt Mt Dew was available in IV form, I'd be one happy person.
I have the Craft Robo, and I use it to cut vinyl all the time. I have not yet used it for opaque transfers -- because I don't use those very often.
I'm going to be trying it out next week though...I'll get back to you and let you know how it goes.
P.S. I bought the Craft Robo because I wanted to test the waters with vinyl, and my budget was tight (I'll go to a larger cutter when order volume dictates, and I'll still have a backup cutter). I have no complaints about the Craft Robo, but I think Chani gives good advice -- if your budget can handle a larger cutter, have a look at those.
If you are looking at the Robo cc200-20 the only "problem" is the size limitation. I cut vinyl up to 8 inches wide and anything that takes a print and cut using the registration marks is even less. I found that I had to set the marks at 7" or less or they did not read. But it cuts vinyl, heat transfers and paper great. I got the little Robo for it's portability, so I can take it to shows with me and well... the price is good for a low budget start, found mine on ebay for $249.00
Again, I have not had problems with the Craft Robo. As the previous poster said, the only "problem" with that machine is it limitations with regard to cutting size.
Most of the vinyl I cut is lettering. Even when there is a graphic involved, I can usually keep the design to 7.5" wide by rotating the design.
The few times I have had to split a graphic in 2 to get a larger print, it was no problem.
I'm sure there a LOT of people out there that have perfect working CR CC200-20's, or they wouldn't be able to sell them. I'm very happy that you DO have a good one.
BUT...there are quite a few people that aren't able to get theirs to do what they want. Some of that may be user-error, I'm sure, if not most of them. But that's enough for me to not be able to recommend them.
Expectations of those little machines are a little too high, I believe, and MANY people are disappointed in the size their graphics need to be in order to have them contour cut properly.
Then again, there have been a few people that have not been able to get their machines to work at all, whether it's not cutting anything, or stopping in the middle of a cutting job, or going very VERY slow.
I also have issues with some of the parts (like adjusting your blades for cutting different media) and other things like needing a carrier sheet to cut scraps. You don't need that on other machines.
The last thing is that it really is a hobby machine, which is fine if you don't plan on making many shirts, but if you get into any production at all, it really is a good idea to have a more professional machine.
That, and with the availability of the USCutter LaserPoint 24" plotter for just a little more, you don't NEED to limit your graphics (esp. vinyl and flock) to 8.5 inches wide.
Those benefits outweigh some of the cost issues with the CR CC200-20.
I'm not cutting down on anyone that has one or gets one. If it works for you, that's great. I just think there are better options out there is all.
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If Dt Mt Dew was available in IV form, I'd be one happy person.
I guess I'm having a bit of trepidation over buying a cutter for the first time and not knowing exactly what to do. The Robo jumped out at me as it seemed like a cheap way to get into business cutting transfer paper. It understand this product is rated for vinyl, so I just want to be sure it was okay to use standard and opaque transfers in it.
I agree with Chani about the production, it is slow and I use mine for single jobs or small custom orders only, for anything of any quantity I order plastisol transfers.
I'm sure there a LOT of people out there that have perfect working CR CC200-20's, or they wouldn't be able to sell them. I'm very happy that you DO have a good one.
BUT...there are quite a few people that aren't able to get theirs to do what they want. Some of that may be user-error, I'm sure, if not most of them. But that's enough for me to not be able to recommend them.
Expectations of those little machines are a little too high, I believe, and MANY people are disappointed in the size their graphics need to be in order to have them contour cut properly.
Then again, there have been a few people that have not been able to get their machines to work at all, whether it's not cutting anything, or stopping in the middle of a cutting job, or going very VERY slow.
I also have issues with some of the parts (like adjusting your blades for cutting different media) and other things like needing a carrier sheet to cut scraps. You don't need that on other machines.
The last thing is that it really is a hobby machine, which is fine if you don't plan on making many shirts, but if you get into any production at all, it really is a good idea to have a more professional machine.
That, and with the availability of the USCutter LaserPoint 24" plotter for just a little more, you don't NEED to limit your graphics (esp. vinyl and flock) to 8.5 inches wide.
Those benefits outweigh some of the cost issues with the CR CC200-20.
I'm not cutting down on anyone that has one or gets one. If it works for you, that's great. I just think there are better options out there is all.
Oh, you'll get no argumet from me here. As I said in my first post, your advice to get the larger cutter is good advice.
I agree that nobody should get a small machine like the Craft Robo if they're going to be doing alot of shirts.
Having said that, it was a good purchase for me. I bought it to be able to offer one off dark shirts, and things like bags, and caps.
I've also found it came in handy when I was doing a large order of sweatshirts with plastiol transfers. There were 3 or 4 that were a very small size, so I was able to cut the graphic out of vinyl in a smaller size, rather than order 4 small (expensive) plastisol transfers.
It has its place for sure, but you are quite correct in that its place is not in a shop where it's going to be used daily.
This is a discussion about Graphtec Craft Robo to cut opaque transfers? Any issues? that was posted in the Vinyl Cutters (Plotters) and Transfers section of the forums.
Graphtec Craft Robo to cut opaque transfers? Any issues? 
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