[maximumsp]

So we've been screen printing for a few years now. We do a lot of little league stuff and school stuff where we print the front and just heat press names and numbers on the back.

So instead of ordering names/numbers for Transfer Express, we thought we'd get a cutter and do it ourselves.

Here's my predicament: We have 300 shorts we are doing now and we have to print one at a time or order the heat press and press them and we have to have them done by January 3rd.
OR we could get a cutter and do them, but is it possible to order a machine, get it delivered and learn how to use software, cut and weed in time?

Questions:
1) We have the money to go high end, so a Roland or Graphtec (or another?), but which has the best/easiest-to-learn software. I use paint.net to make most of my artwork. Would the software used with these machines accept .png software? Or do you actually draw your logos with their software (more learning)?

2) If I were to order by Monday and get it in, how fast realistically could I set it up and start cutting/weeding?

This would be a great job for us to get started, it's the same logo on mesh shorts on the front thigh, but most of our future work would be names and numbers for t-shirts and some poly uniforms.

 

[into the T]

cutters use vector not raster, so no png'
depending on your artwork you could easily convert to vectors
(if you need the one logo vectorized, i will take a crack at it for you)

for names and numbers all cutting programs come with a text function,
and from there also include some form of drawing capabilities

if you want quick out of the blocks to finish up this order,
then i would recommend a cameo (made by graphtec) and a larger graphtec for learning as time allows

the cameo will have you cutting in under 30 mins (lots of tutorials out there),
while the larger graphtec will give you greater speed and options for sizes/signs/materials/etc.
but the learning curve is much steeper and takes time to properly dial-in all the settings

the cameo is a nice back-up, but also holds its re-sale value very well

if you decide on just a large graphtec to start, look at scal (sure-cuts-alot) to get easy design software for cutting
but you still will need the time to dial-in settings

 

[Amw]

Get a graphtec (We prefer the FC8600 series, but the CE6000 are good too).
It will come with basic design software.
If you can screen print I am confident you can adjust the settings on the plotter. It also comes with videos (they are available on YouTube and their website also).
It should take you a day to get going on the plotter and 2-3 days to be more or less proficient.
Buy clean cut blades for the plotter, dont wast your money on OEM.

Doing 300 of the same design would be much better screen printed though.
It will take a few hours to cut them all out...plus another few hours to weed them...and 3 or so hours to press them.
Screen printing you should be able to knock these out and have a lot of time left over.

 

[maximumsp]

Ok, so here's another question: Do you think it would be worth it for us? In our situation to invest $2,000?

Most of our work is name/number which would be approx. 8" X 12" or .667 sq.ft. And if vinyl costs $2 per sq.ft that would run $1.33 each.

When we buy Express Names from TE and their stock numbers our total cost is about $3.50 including shipping which gives us a savings of $2.17.

That would take a lot to pay off, especially when we screen print most of our stuff and only would use the vinyl for names, number and small one color jobs.

 

[gotshirts2ink]

it all depends on you and your business
If it was me Yes I would buy a cutter, not just for the names/numbers but you can expand later on down the line
Also you need to buy HTV Heat Transfer Vinyl and a Heat press

 

[360Graphics]

Ok, so here's another question: Do you think it would be worth it for us? In our situation to invest $2,000?

Most of our work is name/number which would be approx. 8" X 12" or .667 sq.ft. And if vinyl costs $2 per sq.ft that would run $1.33 each.

When we buy Express Names from TE and their stock numbers our total cost is about $3.50 including shipping which gives us a savings of $2.17.

That would take a lot to pay off, especially when we screen print most of our stuff and only would use the vinyl for names, number and small one color jobs.

I recommend that you find a local contract screen printer, add a 25% mark up to product & print price combined. At least for now, to make this deadline. My contract pricing would be .55 ea. per location (1-color)

 

[Amw]

I recommend that you find a local contract screen printer, add a 25% mark up to product & print price combined. At least for now, to make this deadline. My contract pricing would be .55 ea. per location (1-color)

They said they screen print all ready. So I dont think they dont need someone else to screen print.

 

[Dekzion]

Ok, so here's another question: Do you think it would be worth it for us? In our situation to invest $2,000?

Most of our work is name/number which would be approx. 8" X 12" or .667 sq.ft. And if vinyl costs $2 per sq.ft that would run $1.33 each.

When we buy Express Names from TE and their stock numbers our total cost is about $3.50 including shipping which gives us a savings of $2.17.

That would take a lot to pay off, especially when we screen print most of our stuff and only would use the vinyl for names, number and small one color jobs.

2k is a bit over the top for for your requirements as a start cost
Price up a cameo and 330mm sheets of vinyl from MDP Supplies.
order and get cutting, there's no need to go complex, Cameo comes with a cutting program that is intuitive and your designs are kept on your computer not somewhere in space.

 

[Sadiego]

I have a Cameo I've had it for a few years are the newer cameos different as far as speeds concerned? Cause i can tell you the one i have now would take some time doing a 300pc job

 

[Dekzion]

I have a Cameo I've had it for a few years are the newer cameos different as far as speeds concerned? Cause i can tell you the one i have now would take some time doing a 300pc job

If all you're cutting is numbers then the cameo is going to keep up with your pressing, you'l just need an extra pair of hands to deal with the text change/loading/unloading/weeding. using an easyweed type material would be quicker than trying to weed something like the carbon fibre vinyl.