[dgray4242]

I'm wanting to start a vinyl business and would like to know where I could buy a decent vinyl cutter. I want one that I can learn pretty fast, along with good software also. I dont have much experience in the business, but would like to learn. What would be a reputable company to buy one? I would like your thoughts

Thanks
David

 

[binki]

Graphtec 24" with Corel will make you some bank. Tshirts rhinestones banners will make your money back in no time. Get a heat press and you are all set. $4000 to start and that will make you as much as $100k year if you hustle. Getting the work is the hard part.

 

[dgray4242]

Hi Binki,

Thanks for the reply. Who do I market to and how? I would like your feedback Binki.

 

[royster13]

I typically go for a brand that is not a "market leader".....So I went with GCC.....My "current" pick would be a GCC Expert Pro for around 1,100 for 24" version with a stand...

As far as software, I like Illustrator but Corel will work just fine.....And if all you are doing is graphics for your cutter a "very old" old version of either will work fine...Great Cut that comes with a GCC plotter will get you by....I do just fine with it, however, others choose to upgrade to better software....

As far as marketing, if you spend a few days reading through the archives you will find lots of ideas.....I do mostly heat press vinyl with my plotter...There are a handful of folks in my area that have polotters but none that have heat presses as far as I know....

Good luck...

 

[bsurb]

I went to USCUTTER and purchased a 24 inch vinyl plotter for $275 shipped. Been using it for 2 years with no problems.. Its a cheaper made one, plastic wheels and cheap stand but it does the job. Get their extended warranty if something happens to it they replace it free. They pay shipping and all.

Depends what you are using it for. Personal use. Commercial?

The software is very user friendly to.

 

[designsonyou]

I have a ioline cutter and love it. it requires very little maintenance.

 

[BrianHahn]

Consider Saga, GCC, Creation units in this price range. Plugins are available for cutting from Corel or Illustrator.
SignCut is very easy to use software.
DragonCut / Vinyl Master is very good for features Vs. price point. ImageCut is a very nice feature. Vectorization included.
Flexi Starter is professional software and allows for networking your cutter. Very popular with sign shop environments.

 

[royster13]

The Saga plotter looks like a decent product..... Just wish they were packaged with "permanent" software.... At no extra charge....

 

[henrylongwood]

Graphtec 24" with Corel

 

[binki]

Hi Binki,

Thanks for the reply. Who do I market to and how? I would like your feedback Binki.

We started in our house so we started with friends and family. Then we moved to a storefront and we went door to door to businesses around us. Then we went to targeted businesses. Ones that would have uniforms like karate clubs, fitness places and such.

Now we have 7 employees and can't keep up with the workload.

 

[jeron]

We started in our house so we started with friends and family. Then we moved to a storefront and we went door to door to businesses around us. Then we went to targeted businesses. Ones that would have uniforms like karate clubs, fitness places and such.

Now we have 7 employees and can't keep up with the workload.

How long would you say that took you to grow as big as you are? From your first sale to your friends and family to today?

Thanks,
Jeron

 

[binki]

We started august 1 2006. Spent a couple of years at home. The economy crashed and retail rents went down by 60% so we leased a space and each year we grew about 40%. This year, July 1 to June 30 we are expecting a 60% increase. We had one month where we were up 300% from the previous year.

We just hit critical mass around November and that is when we started hiring.

 

[dgray4242]

Hi Binki,
That is great!! If you don't mind me asking. What Vinel cutter are you using. I really don't want to do the screen printing, because of the cost. I would like to just do the vinyl cutting and maybe a small sublimation printer. I'm not looking to make big money, but make some type of living. I would like some more feedback. Please

Thanks,
David

 

[binki]

Use plastisol transfers. That is screen printing without the mess

We started with a us cutter lp24 and sold it after 5 years of service. We replaced it with a graphtec 24" and added a versacamm.

 

[dgray4242]

Hi Binki,

Thanks for feedback!! I really want to open the shop. It will be home based for now. I guess I'm scared of not getting customers. I can get a graphtec 15 for 1100 would this be proficient and the LXI expert design software for $180.00. What do you think. I have a R 31 series Vinyl Express Vinyl cutter that has been in the closet for a couple of years that I never used. I feel that it's a cheap cutter. What would you suggest?
Thanks,
David

 

[jeron]

if you already have a cutter i would use that!!! Then you can use the money that you were going to spend on the graphtec on supplies or even a heat press... then if you get a bunch of work you can always upgrade your cutter down the road...

 

[dgray4242]

Good point !! I love this forum