Most everyone I know who has used a Speed Press doesn't use it now. They are a pain to work with. Maybe someone who has had better luck could advise you more. You can get (or make) a tape dispensing system for your application tape that is easier to use.
Like David I only buy certain colors in 50 yd rolls. Red Black & White are staples. Is there a reason you are using 15" rolls instead of 24"? If you have a 24" cutter you will find that running things like car magnets on the 24" vinyl is a lot easier and less wasteful than on the 15". I too have the RapidTac setting on a shelf collecting dust but some people use it religiously so for a tight budget it would be first off my list. You may want to consider a 12" teflon squeegee. They work great for applying the vinyl to the substrate, then switch to the gold to apply pressure after it's down. It's hard to get good pressure with the teflon but it sure does make it easier to aplly.
I decided to go with 15" because of the budget, but I'm sure I'll jump to 24" soon. If your not using RapidTac, then what are you using? My order is on it's way, but it sounds like I need to pick up either the 12" teflon or 26" Big Squeegee.
RapidTac is for preping the surface and setting the adhesive faster. I just clean the substrate and slap on the vinyl. You can clean it with isopropyl alchohol or I just use plain old Windex, which a lot of people will say never to use, but I have signs I made 5 years ago and they are still together. Maybe I'm lucky or maybe it's just an old wives tail that Windex leaves silicone behind, all I know is that it has worked for me and I do a lot of signs. There is a trick I use for applying the tape which works similar to the Big Squeegee, which is on my wish list. I use the roll from used vinyl or another roll of tape that is used up and slide it along pushing the application tape ahead of it. You have to pull out some tape first and fasten the end down on a table being sure to catch the edge of your vinyl and the backing. After a couple practice runs you can get pretty good at it. I made 44 signs on Wednesday using this method and I could tape apply and finish an 18 X 24 sign in less than 6 minutes a piece. Using a regular squeegee would have almost doubled the time.
[quote=BRC;320105] Is there a reason you are using 15" rolls instead of 24"? If you have a 24" cutter you will find that running things like car magnets on the 24" vinyl is a lot easier and less wasteful than on the 15".quote]
I use the 15" rolls for the magnets because even tho the roll is 24 inches wide You dont get a full 24 inches out of it.. because of the pinch rollers.
and I like to put weed borders that are the ful 24 inch by 12 inch.. that way.. when i lay my tape.. its the exact size the magnet is suppost to be and line up is a snap.
I dont do scraps.... I dont have time..
Im saving a few scraps now for a friend who is getting a plotter.. but honestly.. I dont have time to try to orginize scraps or try to find one the size i need.. Many times i would be only saving a couple cents.. and would take time i could me making a sign..
I actually have 15" rolls.. 18" rolls and 24 inch rolls.. in about 30 colors.. and I use the one that will waste the least amount.
I'm glad someone is making enough $$$$ to throw out scraps. I made a 4'x8' banner today and making another one tomorrow and will make the 2nd one from the scraps left from today's. As far as keeping them organized, I throw them in a few big boxes and when I get a break I sort through them. It takes me all of 10 minutes to sort through all boxes. I keep 3 boxes, 1 has white and green, 1 has black and red and the other one has all other colors combined.
Anyways, that's how I do it, there's no sense in buying a 15" roll and paying almost the same as a 24" roll in my eyes, but maybe that's just me.
Most everyone I know who has used a Speed Press doesn't use it now. They are a pain to work with. Maybe someone who has had better luck could advise you more. You can get (or make) a tape dispensing system for your application tape that is easier to use.
I use speed press everyday and have great luck with it if you use a static sheet like the ones for your dryer and rub the speed press with it there is no static and the vinyl does not stick until you want it
to sure beats spending $360 a month for app. tape to lay the vinyl on a banner and then pull it off and throw it away IMO. You will still need application tape if your are going to do vans and windows.
Re: My first buy for sign supplies 
