Full Version: Printer plotter

From: JHayes55 [#3]
 30 Nov 2004
To: LouisT [#1] 30 Nov 2004

Louis - I would suggest you check closely at media needed to print on, ink type, life of ink for outdoor use, cost per square inch to print and speed. Many of the older printers/cutters have to use printable vinyl, expensive ink, will not hold up to UV very long, and are as slow as me. My suggestion would be to talk very straight to Roland, read, read, read and ask lots of questions. From what I can see Roland is the leader in the print/cut area for smaller sign operators, they still offer the PC600 but tend to pushing the new technology of their other printer/cutters. I have been watching this technology closely - lot of things to consider before buying. Remember buying used may limit you to tech support & updates. One last question - do you currently use a vinyl cutter?? If you do not have experience with vinyl cutting - moving to a printer/cutter maybe a huge learing curve. Keep us informed of your progess and best of luck.

From: Michael [#4]
 1 Dec 2004
To: LouisT [#1] 2 Dec 2004

I've just made a decision to not take that avenue for at least another 12 monthes for a variety of reasons, but I have loads of information on the type of equipment you are looking at.

There are three basic types of printer cutters:

Heat activated wax or resin "ink" on tapes. Roland or Gerber are the only two mfrs of which I am aware that makes/markets this type of equipment I'm aware of. Start around $6K for a desk top model. (Note: I had to of the Roland ColorCam12 and both were returned because they don't work as advertised)

Solvent ink printer cutter Far as I know only Roland makes these. Start around $16K. No experience with this machine at all, but read the specs.

Aqueous based ink printer cutter: Only Graphtec makes this one. I got to test drive one last month in Nashville, TN at Advanced Plastics, Inc. (Advanced-Plastics.com) A great machine, easy to run, can create great quality hi-res banners and posters. Graphtec MSRP is arount $15k but you'll get a much better deal from Advanced Plastics.

Output:

Michael

From: Rallyguy [#5]
 1 Dec 2004
To: Michael [#4] 2 Dec 2004

Roland has a nice new 30" solvent printer/cutter with a street price of around 12k. Very nice piece if you can live with the 30 inch limit. I would stay away from thermal ribbon with the costs of the ribbon being much more than the consumables of the ink jet solvent.

www.rolanddga.com/products/printcut/versacamm/

From: LouisT [#6]
 2 Dec 2004
To: LouisT [#1] 10 Dec 2004

Thanks everybody! I think we have run down a good used Graphtec JX2000. The price per sq.ft is way way less than the Roland and does so much more. Much obliged for all the help!

From: Rallyguy [#7]
 3 Dec 2004
To: LouisT [#6] 10 Dec 2004

Are you looking at something like this???

www.signwarehouse.com/colorprinters/jx2000.htm


If it is, what you are looking at is a basic waterbase unit and the media that you print will not last as long outdoors as the media printed on the solvent units we were discussing without lamination.

The only reason I am even posting at this point is so that you know what you are getting. Your initial request seemed to have your products headed for outdoor use. Unless the unit you are looking at is solvent based, you will need an overlaminate, and the durability will still be inferior.

We have a Roland FJ500 that is running archival pigment ink and you can only trust it outdoors for around 6 months when applied to the right coated material. There are a few ink jet products that give you a year outdoor life, but that is a far cry from the 3-5 years you will get from a solvent or thermal ribbon printer.

Good luck,

Brian G.

EDITED: 3 Dec 2004 by RALLYGUY

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