Looking for a new Vinyl Cutter, could use some suggestions!

2476 Views 7 Replies 3 Participants Last post by royster13, Apr 30, 2012

allisonkbye

Discussion Starter · Apr 30, 2012

Now that my business is getting serious, I've been thinking about getting a new vinyl cutter and could use some advice on which one to go with. I am also looking to get new software for my cutter, possibly one that cuts straight from Illustrator.

I currently have the Roland MH-721 24" cutter. I've had it for at least 5 years and I have a couple gripes about it (randomly stops in middle of a cut, especially large projects) and the software it came with (Sign Blazer) can be aggravating at times. It just does weird things, and I spend a lot of time making work arounds.

I am looking for a 24" cutter that will last my like my Roland, but not give me any headaches like it randomly does. I also would like to be able to cut rhinestone templates. I've been thinking about getting one that also recognizes registration marks for printed transfers, but I've heard doing that is a headache, and I don't mind too much just cutting heat transfers out by hand.

So what do you guys think? Any reliable and affordable cutters to cut rhinestone templates, and any software to cut straight from illustrator?

Thanks in advance for any advice!!

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lben

· #2 · Apr 30, 2012

I have a Graphtec CE5000-60, which is a 24" cutter/plotter. The software that comes with it works directly through CorelDRAW and Illustrator. I think you can use it as a stand alone program too, but I've never tried that. As far as detail goes, the ink on my keyboard for this new computer is rubbing off and I had a bunch of blank keys (good thing I studied typing in high school) so I decided to print some letters in white sign vinyl. The letters were 24 pt and the numbers and punctuation were 16 point. Those periods and commas were tiny, but they cut. It has more force than the Rolands do and has a different blade set up so that it can cut sharper corners, curves, and tinier holes.

The only issue I had was after I changed to WIN 7 on this new computer it didn't recognize the drivers so I had to download upgraded drivers from the Graphtec website. Even after I did that though, it went through the motions of cutting but the blade was just gliding over the material. After several frustrating weeks, I finally discovered (much to my embarrassment) that I didn't have the blade locked down in it's holder! Duh.. What can I say? It works fine now. I'm very happy with it. Watch for sales from Ryonet and others on it.

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allisonkbye

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 30, 2012

lben said:
I have a Graphtec CE5000-60, which is a 24" cutter/plotter. The software that comes with it works directly through CorelDRAW and Illustrator. I think you can use it as a stand alone program too, but I've never tried that. As far as detail goes, the ink on my keyboard for this new computer is rubbing off and I had a bunch of blank keys (good thing I studied typing in high school) so I decided to print some letters in white sign vinyl. The letters were 24 pt and the numbers and punctuation were 16 point. Those periods and commas were tiny, but they cut. It has more force than the Rolands do and has a different blade set up so that it can cut sharper corners, curves, and tinier holes.

The only issue I had was after I changed to WIN 7 on this new computer it didn't recognize the drivers so I had to download upgraded drivers from the Graphtec website. Even after I did that though, it went through the motions of cutting but the blade was just gliding over the material. After several frustrating weeks, I finally discovered (much to my embarrassment) that I didn't have the blade locked down in it's holder! Duh.. What can I say? It works fine now. I'm very happy with it. Watch for sales from Ryonet and others on it.

Thank you so much for all this information! You brought up another drawback to my cutter that I forgot about, the ability to cut small letters. In the past I've just told customers I can't cut smaller than 1/2" because my cutter just can't handle anything smaller than that. If I cut a period that should be square and small, it ends up being half round.

A good reliable software with your cutter is a huge plus too and the ability to use illustrator seamlessly with it.

One question though: Is it good for cutting rhinestone templates?
If so then Graphtec might just be my next cutter!

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royster13

· #4 · Apr 30, 2012

What kind of budget are you working with?.....

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lben

· #5 · Apr 30, 2012

I cut rhinestone templates with it. That's what I got it for originally (I bought it with a rhinestone biz kit from Ryonet).

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allisonkbye

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 30, 2012

royster13 said:
What kind of budget are you working with?.....

That's a good question! I guess it depends how much it can do Probably no more than $2,000. For me to spend that much though it will have to do everything, have amazing reviews and a good warranty. Preferably like to spend around $1,000 though! Pretty sure my Refine cost $300 5 years ago. I plan on using the new one as a main cutter and the Refine will be my backup

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lben

· #7 · Apr 30, 2012

You can get the graphtec for that price. It is the most expensive piece of equipment I have, but it was worth it and I can do so many things with it..

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royster13

· #8 · Apr 30, 2012

For 1,000.00 or close take a look at the a 15" Graphtec.......I am not a fan of 15" cutters if you are doing heat press vinyl......It does not use material as efficiently.....

For 2,000.00 or less the Graphtec 24" machine that has already been mentioned.....But the CE Series is the lowest end model Graphtec makes....I like GCC Cutters and for 2,000.00 you can get a 24" Jaguar IV with stand....

For 2,195.00 you can get a Vinyl Express Q24....This is a re-branded FC Series Graphtec cutter...Vinyl Express Q24 Package Specials! If you call them sometimes you can get Package 3 or Package 4 for Package 1 price....I think this model is a huge step up from the CE Series Graphtec....And LXi is a clone of Flexi which is a premium software....

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