[QueenCityCustom]

Hi Everyone!

My husband and I have just started our t-shirt business and it has taken off! I used to make tshirts for fun and then was asked if I would sell them and it took off!

We're looking to upgrade from the Cricuit Explore to something that prints much quicker. We primarily use the Cricuit for HTV, stencils and regular vinyl.

Right now it seems like we spend hours cutting/layering/weeding. We're looking for recommendations on a entry level business grade cutting plotter.

As for software how technical it is, isnt an issue. My husband works in IT (systems) and will be able to figure anything out. Right now he's learning Illustrator and is picking it up pretty quickly. Considering he's a network engineer not a graphic designer.

Any advice on how to speed up the process or advice on machines would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks
Queen City Creative Works

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[webtrekker]

Using HTV means you are stuck with the weeding process. Another cutter won't necessarily cut any faster than your Cricut. Other options (and they all have their own quitks an limitations) are sublimation, screen printing, heat transfers such as JPSS, and plastisol transfers. I missed out DTG because it is very expensive and troublesome unless you print in quantity every day.

If you have regular, standardised designs, then have a look at plastisol transfers. All you need is a press (which you already have!).

 

[pippin decals]

Hi Everyone!

My husband and I have just started our t-shirt business and it has taken off! I used to make tshirts for fun and then was asked if I would sell them and it took off!

We're looking to upgrade from the Cricuit Explore to something that prints much quicker. We primarily use the Cricuit for HTV, stencils and regular vinyl.

Right now it seems like we spend hours cutting/layering/weeding. We're looking for recommendations on a entry level business grade cutting plotter.

As for software how technical it is, isnt an issue. My husband works in IT (systems) and will be able to figure anything out. Right now he's learning Illustrator and is picking it up pretty quickly. Considering he's a network engineer not a graphic designer.

Any advice on how to speed up the process or advice on machines would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks
Queen City Creative Works

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

If your only doing htv or similar The cricut cutter is limited and sometimes the cuts are perfect or not.I used to have one but it will do the job for what you need ,Sorta lol....


The only big thing your going to gain by a different cutter is being able to cut wider and longer things and No Cutting mat when you cut material. I hated the cutting mats when i had one before upgrading ( Thank god I did ) , Your budget will determine on the cutter you get and the quality as well. I have a titan 2 28" from uscutter and its a beast for everything i do. Very quiet and accurate.



There is low end cutters and middle grade and high end, My titan is right in the middle . The low end cutters can have static issues and the high end cutters can do a lot more like window tint. But since i dont do tint i didnt need it. and i definitely didnt want static issues which can fry the motherboard..



Im not trying to sell you a brand etc Just my own opinion and research i did when i upgraded. And everyone will have their own opinion as well . So it will be up to you to decide. Just decide smart.



I will say i do not print and cut .I only do single color and layered decals and htv on clothing and for this its perfect. So it falls on whats your budget.


I love Ai cc and taught my self what i know but i also use SCALPS4PRo software and the 2 are just amazing to me . Been using both for 3 years. I do have Corel Draw X7 ( I dont like it) and Vinyl master ( i Dont like it ) I Love my Ai and Scalps.

Where are you located ? I can give you tons of advice or help for free if you have questions . Send me a Pm if you want. Up to you..

 

[QueenCityCustom]

Thank you for the input! I'm located in Buffalo, NY.
I checked out the Titan pro, it definitely looks like a solid machine but it's just a little out of my price range. Ideally $500-600 would be the highest we can go at the moment. What are your thoughts on the Uscutter MH series or the SC2 machines?

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[pippin decals]

Thank you for the input! I'm located in Buffalo, NY.
I checked out the Titan pro, it definitely looks like a solid machine but it's just a little out of my price range. Ideally $500-600 would be the highest we can go at the moment. What are your thoughts on the Uscutter MH series or the SC2 machines?

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

They do post once in awhile reurb titan 2 which carry the same warranty as a new cutter which is funny. But they usually have them for around 600 sometimes lol.


As for the MH they are hit and miss. They tend to have static issues and plus static issues when you walk across the floor and touch your cutter can fry the boards etc from what ive heard a lot about. The sc2 is supposed to be a good cutter but still heard some bad stories with it also. I think it comes down to hit and miss with the lower end cutters and plus the lower end cutters will be a stepper motor and not servo. Servo is much quieter and more smooth of cuts. So if all you can afford is a lower cutter just choose wisely and pick the better model in that category . contact uscutter ( if you go thru them) and they will explain over the phone which will be better. Any more questions let me know . And choose your software wisely also .Each software will be harder or easier to learn as well and on what they can do or what you want it to do..

 

[Amw]

Thank you for the input! I'm located in Buffalo, NY.
I checked out the Titan pro, it definitely looks like a solid machine but it's just a little out of my price range. Ideally $500-600 would be the highest we can go at the moment. What are your thoughts on the Uscutter MH series or the SC2 machines?

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

Use your current plotter till you save up more money and by one that you wont need to replace for 10+ years like a Graphtec (or a Roland, but I prefer graphtec for standalone plotters). Don't think about current needs, think about what your needs will be a year or so from now.

If you dont want to wait then look for a used graphtec in your price range.
You will never regret buying a good quality plotter.
Also a good plotter set up correctly will cut MUCH faster then what your using currently.

 

[Gettingitdone]

I use a Cricut Maker to cut Rubylith as my positive but not exclusively. I just found that it was expensive to run inkjet positives for every job when a good portion of the graphics are large. When the machine bites the dust there will probably be another new model or innovation and I'll get another. I'm not looking to get huge but I do have steady business from a promotional company along with my own work and you need a ton of work for a Roland or you have a lot of money sitting idle. I also will use a service bureau for high end work just for film output.