Yes and no. If you have the market for them then yes , get that leg up on the competition. If not then no. But i would go with the VS just for the speed as compared to the sp.
Purchase a Versacamm VS or SPi ?
I need a good printer cutter. Looking at 30" models. Looking for thoughts on the VS and SPi models. From what I can tell, the biggest difference is the white and metallic inks.
I will be doing decals and apparel for the most part and acasional banners.
Just wondering if the white and metallic are worth the extra cost.
What experiences have you all had with these models.
Thanks
I will be doing decals and apparel for the most part and acasional banners.
Just wondering if the white and metallic are worth the extra cost.
What experiences have you all had with these models.
Thanks
1 - 20 of 21 Posts
Don't you loose some speed with the white and metallic inks?
Only if you use them. You can set the VS up as a duel CMYK machine with no white on metallic and you have very good speeds.Don't you loose some speed with the white and metallic inks?
Can't decide on white and metallic or not.
We have ours set up for white and metallic. We use the white much more often, since you can print on metallic materials. The way it gets set up on the initial install is the way the machine is set up from there on out. They have it locked out that you can't switch because of the staining properties of the inks, your white would be pink after the switch, and the same goes for the metallic.
Like i said if you have the need for them then their a great addition to what you can offer. Dont get me wrong its exspensive for the metallic($225) for a cart but it allows you to mark up your price per sq ft.
But jerid said you can also go dual CMYK.
But jerid said you can also go dual CMYK.
So what do you think about your print time for items not using white or metallic?We have ours set up for white and metallic. We use the white much more often, since you can print on metallic materials. The way it gets set up on the initial install is the way the machine is set up from there on out. They have it locked out that you can't switch because of the staining properties of the inks, your white would be pink after the switch, and the same goes for the metallic.
The settings we use for no white ink allows us to print and cut a 30" x 5' graphic in 25 minutes. This size allows us to print 200 labels of what we are working on, so we are very happy with that. If we wanted to, we could easily print over 3,000 labels in a day at this size.So what do you think about your print time for items not using white or metallic?
There is a new mode setup on the VS series that also allows for dual white instead of the white and metallic. If I was to get mine all over, I would definitely go for this setup! It has CMYK Lc Lm and dual white - this allows you to have the full gamut and have the ability to do clear decals and static cling with a white under base.
With the white and metallic modes the printer is slower but only when printing with those inks. A common misconception is that it is always slow due to these inks but is not true. It will be faster than any other in dual CMYK but it is still very fast in CMYK Lc Lm mode. I would be happy to answer any specific questions and have videos showing the different setups etc. on the machine. Let me know how I can help!
Jerid - good to see you guys are running that machine!
With the white and metallic modes the printer is slower but only when printing with those inks. A common misconception is that it is always slow due to these inks but is not true. It will be faster than any other in dual CMYK but it is still very fast in CMYK Lc Lm mode. I would be happy to answer any specific questions and have videos showing the different setups etc. on the machine. Let me know how I can help!
Jerid - good to see you guys are running that machine!
Thanks Steve, once again, I appreciate the help you've given me along the way. 
Honestly, I think the metallic ink is more of a novelty (at least for us) since you can print on metallic vinyl and get the same look at a lower price. We would have set it up as dual W if given the chance.....
Honestly, I think the metallic ink is more of a novelty (at least for us) since you can print on metallic vinyl and get the same look at a lower price. We would have set it up as dual W if given the chance.....
Thanks for all the input everyone. I'm thinking the dual white sounds really good. But I also like the metallic for shirts. I'm still several months from getting a Versacamm so I have time to decide. Unless I find a good lease.
Hey Steve,
Where can u find these videos?
YouTube?
Hey Steve,
Where can u find these videos?
YouTube?
They are on the MyVersacamm.com - A Digital Printing Network website under the videos section.Hey Steve,
Where can u find these videos?
YouTube?
The warranty on the VS is better than the SP. You get a 2yr warranty on the VS versus a 1 yr on the SP.
BEFORE investing in a printer/cutter, SUB out the work. Once the workflow/cashflow is big enough to support a printer/cutter, go ahead and buy one. By the time you are ready to buy, you will KNOW what size best meets your needs.I need a good printer cutter. Looking at 30" models. Looking for thoughts on the VS and SPi models. From what I can tell, the biggest difference is the white and metallic inks.
I will be doing decals and apparel for the most part and acasional banners.
Just wondering if the white and metallic are worth the extra cost.
What experiences have you all had with these models.
Thanks
I second the last statement about subbing your work, we learned the hard way. but I am now at a point where I have done pretty large research and am leaning toward the Roland product. It seems you guys all have pretty positive experience with them. Do you use the Roland-recommended heat transfer materials or something else? And if you wouldn't mind, (I am going through a business planning workshop and am crossing off all the questions) how long would you say it took to pay off your machine with your work?
THANKS!
THANKS!
I will stay away from the heat transfer part of the question as I sell the materials and have a slightly biased opinion. I will say that well before I ever worked in the sales part of this industry, my wife and I bought an SP300V 6 years ago or so. It still runs today with all of the original parts (take good care of your machinery!) and paid for itself in the first year. I will say that again - it paid for itself in the first year. No other major piece of equipment in our shop has done that.I second the last statement about subbing your work, we learned the hard way. but I am now at a point where I have done pretty large research and am leaning toward the Roland product. It seems you guys all have pretty positive experience with them. Do you use the Roland-recommended heat transfer materials or something else? And if you wouldn't mind, (I am going through a business planning workshop and am crossing off all the questions) how long would you say it took to pay off your machine with your work?
THANKS!
Steve I will "jump in" for you on the heat transfer part I use Imprintable's Eco-Print for darks and their Solutions Clear for whites/lights, they are the best materials I have found and I have tried a lot of different ones.
I use Imprintable's Eco-Print for darks and their Solutions Clear for whites/lights, they are the best materials I have found and I have tried a lot of different ones.I appreciate the feedback David!
I bought a VS 300 last year with metallic and white and although the metallic ink is costly I still would rather have it than not, you can give canvases and display items a little extra pop that not many others can.
1 - 20 of 21 Posts
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