[jen2swt]

Hey all. Need some guidance. I tried searching the forum to answer my question, but couldn't come up with anything.

I understand that printing transfers at home would require a die cut machine/cutter/plotter, right?

Is there somewhere that I can learn the steps to do this once I print my transfer out on the JPSS paper?

I'm just a little confused on how the process or steps works to cut out the design and save me from hand cutting it out.

Thanks for the tips and guidance.

 

[jen2swt]

Well after further research, it seems the Roland Vinyl cutter might be the way to go. I was just unsure what to do with the transfer after it was printed. Feed it into the cutter or print directly from the cutter itself doing the print and cut.

 

[jeepers94]

If you are going to print the transfer,then use a cutter to cut out the image,you want a cutter with an optical eye. If you are going to stay under 12" a Cameo is the best bang for your buck. They run about $269. You have
to make sure when you print,to also print registration marks.
I just picked up a Brother Scan N Cut. You print out the image on your printer,scan it and cut it on the Brother.The Brother is also 12".
If you want a bigger cutter with optical eye,Roland or Graphtec are your best bets.Both are very good quality.
If you want a true print and cut then Roland would be your best choice.Look to pay some money though. I would say about 5 grand for a lower end unit. Not really in the budget for most home printers.

 

[jen2swt]

If you are going to print the transfer,then use a cutter to cut out the image,you want a cutter with an optical eye. If you are going to stay under 12" a Cameo is the best bang for your buck. They run about $269. You have
to make sure when you print,to also print registration marks.
I just picked up a Brother Scan N Cut. You print out the image on your printer,scan it and cut it on the Brother.The Brother is also 12".
If you want a bigger cutter with optical eye,Roland or Graphtec are your best bets.Both are very good quality.
If you want a true print and cut then Roland would be your best choice.Look to pay some money though. I would say about 5 grand for a lower end unit. Not really in the budget for most home printers.

Thanks, that's what I was assuming. I'm not sure how big we want to go, I guess 12" is a stanard?

I was looking at some Rolands, and one I saw was about $700, A Stika SV-12?

Could you hook up a CISS to these printer/cutters? We might also dabble into car decals too. Vinyl has me very intrigued.

 

[Blue92]

Thanks, that's what I was assuming. I'm not sure how big we want to go, I guess 12" is a stanard?

I was looking at some Rolands, and one I saw was about $700, A Stika SV-12?

Could you hook up a CISS to these printer/cutters? We might also dabble into car decals too. Vinyl has me very intrigued.

I have a Stika SX-12 and you might want to check but I think max width it actually can cut is approx 9.8 inches.

And unless they have changed the Stika series will not do automatic contour cutting. You could do it manually but it is not an easy process.

 

[jeepers94]

I would look for a used GX24 Roland. There is one right now on ebay with a starting price of $1250. It comes with a bunch of extras,including heat vinyl. This machine would also be perfect for car decals. The good thing about going to a 15" or 24" machine is you can use rolls of vinyl,instead of cut sheets.

 

[jen2swt]

I would look for a used GX24 Roland. There is one right now on ebay with a starting price of $1250. It comes with a bunch of extras,including heat vinyl. This machine would also be perfect for car decals. The good thing about going to a 15" or 24" machine is you can use rolls of vinyl,instead of cut sheets.

Thanks. I def want to get this machine when money is more plentiful. With getting ready to launch our business, money is a bit tight. I just thought that the SV12 would have been suffice for now. But might not be, if it will only do 9"...

 

[Blue92]

Like I said you may want to check the specifications, the newer model may be different.

The SX 12 was limited in width but good the 5 or 6 feet in length with careful setup.

Most shirt fronts will be under 10" in one dimension so it is useable and is a good cutter, just size limited.

 

[jeepers94]

A cutter under 12" can be used,but as I stated you have to use sheets or cut down rolls. Most vinyl is available in 15" or 20" rolls. You pay a premium buying 12" rolls as you do not have a large number of vendors sell it.
Yes you can buy 20" rolls and cut it into 10x20 inch sheets. A large number of my shirts would not look right at the 10" size. Also if you do plan on doing car decals,a larger cutter would work better. If you plan on doing this for more than a hobby,I would not go smaller than 15"
There are several very good cutters in the 15" size. The Graphtec ce6000 comes in 15" and 24" size. A very nice cutter for under $500 is the KNK Zing Air. Use Make The Cut software with this and you will be able to make everything you are talking about. These cutters have the optical eye for contour cutting. There is also another cutter KNK Maxx Air. KNK has very good customer backing. The "Air" machines mentioned have bluetooth connectivity for wireless setup.
Check out the Make the Cut forum.There you can find a lot of ideas and helpful advice. By the way I don't have a KNK cutter,I use a Graphtec and a Roland.

 

[elcielo]

I get vinyl from Specialty Graphics and they will cut the 15" roll to 12" (for free), and, of course, give you the 3" roll. Ironically, I think I use the 3 inch strips more than the larger sheets.

 

[jeepers94]

I get my vinyl for 30-50% cheaper than I could from Specialty Graphics. Unless I have a lot of extra time to fiddle,I would have little use for the 3" rolls.Also using rolls,you don't need mats. I started with a small 12" cutter,and had good luck with it.I still have a Cameo and a Brother Scan N Cut. I use them for when I want
to try out a design.When it comes to doing 20 shirts with the same design,a 12" cutter would cost me time and money. I stand by "don't buy a cutter smaller than 15",if you don't want to have to upgrade in a couple of months.I have been there,done that. Also a 15" cutter doesn't need to cost more. Like I said,check out the Zing Air.
The Zing will cut glitter,flock and reflective vinyls,which the SV12 can not. I make a lot of auto decals using reflective vinyl,and glitter adds a lot of bling. Yes there are some so called glitter vinyls that the SV12 can cut,but they don't compare to the quality of the true glitter vinyl.

 

[sassyjo10]

I know this is an old thread but as u said u had both the cameo and the Brothers Cut and Scan,which do u recommend for heat transfer and vinyl on small t shirts? Does one have advantage over the other? Can u cut 12 x 12 on both? Thanks.

 

[olga1]

I will also like to know about the Brother Scan N Cut. I been thinking to buy one.