T-Shirt Forums banner
Cancel

Down to a few Choices

1073 Views 7 Replies 3 Participants Last post by  rturner381, 
R
I am on the hunt for a vinyl cutter. Everytime I do my research, it leads me to this forum. The cutter I get does not need to be extremely large. 24" or less would be fine. Even 12" would be okay. The common question I will have for all of these is which one comes with the best software to atleast START cutting some designs. I probably wont be doing Tshirts with it, but you never know. Mostly window stickers.

I will need USB interface and I run Windows 7.

Here are the ones that caught my eye
1. GCC Expert 24, and possible the LX.
2. Stika SV 12 or 15
3. US Cutter

A little about my experience with vinyl cutters. The extent of my experience is with my ex wifes Cricut and the Sure Cuts Alot program. I got pretty good at that if anyone is familiar with it.

As with most of us, my budget is rather limited, so I cant and quite frankly, dont want to pay a grand or more on software alone. Can the software that comes with the Expert do the thing where you put a Jpeg in there and then manipulate it? And can I put font. And outline. And weld etc... I mean, how far can I go with just the software that comes with it? Or will I need Corel or something to go along with it.

Thank you in advance, Aaron
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
R
I have 2 (soon the be 3) GCC Cutters and they have earned their keep.....Great Cut is just cutting software so you will need some graphics software....If you do not want to buy software, you can use Inkscape and import your files into GreatCut as a pdf...

As far as a 12" or 15" cutter, it will suffice but you will waste material with some designs.....Having the option to use 20" material often saves you money.....If you cut a lot, the money you save on material will pay for the upgraded cutter.....

Plus even if you do not plan on doing signs or wall vinyl, you will from time to time...Our family and friends often get cut vinyl items as gifts....The money you save by making your own gifts can be used to pay for the upgraded cutter....
Reply
Save
Like
R
What you say makes perfect sense Royster. I am leaning towards the Expert. I just got off the phone with a distributor. He was telling me about software options. I am no where near familiar with Corel draw or any of those programs. I dont think I have ever used it. How steep is the learning curve? Or should I get a dedicated cutter software? If so, is there a decenyly priced option that I can take Jpgs and make them something. Or line art and make it something etc...? Thanks again. Pretty much a complete rookie here. I am no dummy once learned, :)
Reply
Save
Like
R
I do just fine without dedicated software.......But if you are unfamiliar with graphics software, you might want to look at something like WinPCSign.....Software like this will make it easier to convert jpgs into cuttable files....

Also, if you buy equipment and/or supplies from Imprintables/Stahls , you can get access to Cadworx Live This is a very useful site to use until you get up to speed on a graphics program....
Reply
Save
Like
R
royster13 said:
I have 2 (soon the be 3) GCC Cutters and they have earned their keep.....Great Cut is just cutting software so you will need some graphics software....If you do not want to buy software, you can use Inkscape and import your files into GreatCut as a pdf...

As far as a 12" or 15" cutter, it will suffice but you will waste material with some designs.....Having the option to use 20" material often saves you money.....If you cut a lot, the money you save on material will pay for the upgraded cutter.....

Plus even if you do not plan on doing signs or wall vinyl, you will from time to time...Our family and friends often get cut vinyl items as gifts....The money you save by making your own gifts can be used to pay for the upgraded cutter....
Click to expand...
Typically, 20" vinyl is more difficult to find. On the other hand, 15" and 24" vinyl is readily available.
Reply
Save
Like
R
rockin g said:
What you say makes perfect sense Royster. I am leaning towards the Expert. I just got off the phone with a distributor. He was telling me about software options. I am no where near familiar with Corel draw or any of those programs. I dont think I have ever used it. How steep is the learning curve? Or should I get a dedicated cutter software? If so, is there a decenyly priced option that I can take Jpgs and make them something. Or line art and make it something etc...? Thanks again. Pretty much a complete rookie here. I am no dummy once learned, :)
Click to expand...
The pains you will experience will be 90% software related and 10% cutter related. The software DRIVES the designs, so you need to learn it. I suggest going to a local community college and picking up a Photoshop, Illustrator, or Corel class.
Reply
Save
Like
R
rturner381 said:
Typically, 20" vinyl is more difficult to find. On the other hand, 15" and 24" vinyl is readily available.
Click to expand...
I was meaning 20" for heat press vinyl....Sometimes I forget people are not talking about t-shirts when posting on a t-shirt forum....
Reply
Save
Like
R
royster13 said:
I was meaning 20" for heat press vinyl....Sometimes I forget people are not talking about t-shirts when posting on a t-shirt forum....
Click to expand...
Sometimes yuh jus' gotta read between the lines ;)
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 8 of 8 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
T-Shirt Forums
A forum community dedicated to T-shirt merchants, professionals and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about graphics, commerce, dyes, prints, collections, guides, displays, styles, scales, equipment, accessories, reviews, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Screen Printing General T-Shirt Selling Discussion Graphics and Design Help Member Introductions Heat Press and Heat Transfers
Top