slice&dice

Seems from the photos that your blade is cutting right through the backing paper -- it should not do that.

Hmmmm, there is a 'dot' in the upper right corner of a square you draw within Inkscape. Drag that handle and voila.

SignBlazer will only import and work with .eps files that are 'legacy' versions (SB is older software that's unable to be updated for handling anything past v.8-- IIRC)

My laptop is a DELL Latitude D520 running Win7, purchased for $80. I like the D520 unit because it has a native Serial port. Software -- SignBlazer; Inkscape; VinylMaster; Gimp; IrfanView; FastStone Photo (Batch) Resizer What do you mean by saying that the Toshiba is 'getting slow' ? In what way?

Maybe try tapping it gently with a hammer to unstick it.

Not enough info provided. Download and install SignBlazer Elements, for starters, and then walk us through the steps you have taken as you "tried everything you can think of..."

Sue, you raise a good point ---- the cutter itself is only part of the equation. The vinyl needs a feed-roller assembly, which a cutter stand will provide, but a tabletop model has no such amenity. In other words, you'll have to figure out a way to hold the rolls of vinyl while the machine runs it through. THIS would work ---

Hey Lonnie --- Have you ever used a cutter before? If yes, the LP3 will not disappoint, I'm willing to go out on a limb.

Welcome. The Tabletop titan will do what you want as far as production capabilities, "portability" and quick set-up.

Uh, coroplast is not smooth. It has ridges/bumps. I would use standard polystyrene sheet or foam board faced with polystyrene.

The long-awaited addition to the USCUTTER plotter machine models, the LP3, is now headed out to early-adopters. If YOU just got an LP3, how do you feel about it? Impressions? Overall ease of use? Good value? This thread is open for those who are thinking of purchasing the LP3, as well as feedback from folks who jumped-in and ordered already and are now using theirs.

USCutter is apparently getting ready to introduce an upgraded LaserPoint 3 ---- the ordering webpage is being created, although nothing shows up there yet. (no photos, no details). Anyway, it's on the way, probably soon.

steve b --- it is likely that the text is not text anymore as it may have been converted to an 'object' and is now no longer editable as a font. Just select it like any object (handles appear) and delete -- then add/type the text you want.

Basic single-color/single sided coroplast yard sign (no metal stake) $22.50

You don’t only have to use designs from the Design Space store. You can either create your own SVG files (within Inkscape, an open-source program), or use other free SVG files which can be found all over the internet.

When I'm sending a file for printing at an online producer (banner or vinyl decal), I upload a pdf. ZooPrinting is one of the largest suppliers of large-format output and they say --- "File Preparation -- In order to ensure your files are print-ready, we recommend that you upload them in PDF format. ----- If you are uploading PDF files created in Photoshop, please be sure all layers are flattened. We also accept .JPG (JPEG), .EPS and .TIF (TIFF) file types, however PDF is the preferred format. --- Use the CMYK colorspace (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, blacK). These are industry standard printing colors. CMYK colors are different than RGB (Red, Green, Blue), which are used to display colors on your screen. Use a minimum resolution of 150 dpi at 100% size for image files. Specify trim area with crop marks. (Don't place crop marks inside the work area.) Artwork should have 1/8" (0.125") bleed extending past the trim line. This is to prevent minor cutting variations from leaving unintended results at the trim edge. Safe Area is the 1 1/4" (1.25") area inside the trim line. Do not put critical information or images within the Safe Area. This is to prevent minor cutting variations from leaving unintended results at the trim edge. If you want printed borders, they must be placed a minimum of 1/8" (0.125") inside the trim line and include bleed. This is to prevent minor cutting variations from leaving unintended results at the trim edge.

No mechanics I've run across will do that. In fact, the markup on parts is a major element of what keeps their business alive.

You need to profit from the shirts, too. If you owned a car mechanic garage, would you agree to just replacing parts that customers bring to you (they ordered cheaper from RockAuto online)?

Double-check to make sure the bracket arm is not cracked (broken). The MH cutters are notorious for having that arm snap due to over-tightening pressure of the knurled knob/locking nut.

Get yours now! LP3 is shipping. $600 for the 24" and $700 for the 30" and $800 for the 48" (53)

Ooooh, Sue, that's a great font match ! I downloaded the font; it's very pretty and I'll keep Trajan in mind when needed. By the way, jZorn, remember to KERN your text apart just as in the example you provided.

The long line is a Separator. SignBlazer software includes an assortment of them within the graphics Library (DRAW menu - Library - Design Elements - Separators 1, 2 and 3) The things around the 'AND' could be considered "Flourishes" ? That's what I would define them as.

Yep. Whenever encountering a business owner, I talk to them about needing signs. Just going into a restaurant for lunch, I'll mention that they can put up a decal with their hours on the window or door, or a decal with their website, or hang a banner for a seasonal promotion, or perhaps a wayfinder sign for their restrooms, etc. etc. I was buying a slice of pizza at another place (different than the one above. Hey, I eat a lot of pizza during the month, what can I tell ya, it's my weakness) and noticed there was a great 2'x8' space on the fence out front, and suggested putting up a banner. End result? $100. in my pocket and a Home-Run Special provided in the bargain.

Darn it, I was hoping to get the new LP3 unit when it became available for sale, but since I sold my MH last week, I'm sitting here without a cutter at all. Some jobs are drifting in (even though I moved out of my storefront location, some repeat clients want things done, and I'll be able to accomplish them in my garage in the meantime) and I bit the bullet and ordered the SC2. I also added the optional Media Basket with my order, since I do long jobs (for banners) and I like to keep the vinyl off the floor. With shipping and the 34" SC3 Sale Price with the catch-basket kit, my order came out to $420. (I have 3 jobs now pending for more than that!) Once again, USCUTTER comes through.

Hi Steven, welcome. First of all, let's just slow down, take a deep breath, and approach this logically and calmly. We can start with grammatical accuracy and an overall professional attitude. This may seem like quibbling, but using properly punctuated sentences, adding capitalization when appropriate and communicating in a manner that is business-like, goes a long way towards showing your clients that you know a thing or two about a thing or two, and thus, making money in this enterprise. Beyond that, when you post here we cannot see or imagine anything you are doing at your end, so please describe things in a step-by-step fashion, pointing out what exactly is happening, or not happening, and provide as many details as you can. That would include offering actual files of jobs that you're getting stuck on. OK, with that housekeeping introduction out of the way ---- Have you gotten the cutter to work properly using the simple file that dakota offered you to try?? That is an example of graphic an MH cutter handles well, and I suspect that you're trying to achieve something beyond the basic work that beginners (newbies) should be attempting right from the get-go. This thread is less than 12-hours old, and in order for you to progress towards resolution of your problem, you'll have to make an effort to clarify what exactly is going on.