ddrummer88

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Content Count

    14

  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by ddrummer88

  1. Posted

    OK all, thank you so much for the input!  I've been offline a while and have been busy doing research!  Few more questions and then I think i'll be ready to make a purchase decision:

     

    1.  insight on USCutter TITAN (28" cutter) - all reviews i've read for this machine on amazon and on uscutter.com were pretty good, of course i imagine uscutter uses discretion to the reviews they post.  i'm trying to keep my purchase of the actual cutter under $1K so I can have some funds for supplies and software.

     

    2.  i'm just now learning about different types of software.  for making decals/stickers/themed images what software is most appropriate as far as design..illustrator/photoshop or corel draw?  also, what is good entry cutting software?  from the research i've done and reading on the forum i need these items...vinyl cutter, vinyl cut software (ex. SCALpro), design software (ex. illustrator) and then supplies, mainly vinyl rolls.

     

    i know a lot of members highly recommend the Graphtec brand cutters but the cheapest i've found is the graphtec ce6000 series and it still starts at $1,295 :(

     

    i appreciate your advice, guidance and knowledge!

     

    jellyman

  2. Posted

    Not that i know of... but I am not one to give advice on the subject.  I would suggest printing out online the Out of Business Notification, or use the one in your booklet from NC DOR.  I changed the name of my business and forgot to do that then started getting letters telling me i was late filing sales tax returns.  So i mailed it in, filed the last couple of No Tax Due returns online and have not had any other issues.

     

     

    I buy almost all of my vinyl from USCutter.  I use Oracal / Orafol 651 for all cut and carry self install decals.  I use 751 for all business applications.  Robbins Sign Supply prices are okay for black and white 651 but the colors are more expensive than USCutter.

     

    I bought my Graphtec from USCutter through Amazon and have been very pleased with the purchase.  It works very will on my Mac with Illustrator.  It took me almost a year to find Robbins because i am so far away from any major suppliers  Buying coroplast signs from Robbins Sign Supply has saved me quite a bit over buying online and having to pay ridiculous shipping.  I also buy .040 aluminum license plate blanks and have been happy with the quality and price.

     

    Thanks so much.  I found the NC out of business notification form rather easy and I'm going to complete that and send in today.  Also thanks for the insight on Robbins!  Once I'm up and running I'll definitely be utilizing them for some equipment!  Do you know the best place to buy photoshop, illustrator and other software?  I'm not sure which would be good for what I'm wanting to do but I do own a mac so I have to take that into consideration.

     

    I'm basically wanting to be able to print themes and images onto vinyl, none of them would be too large though, maybe 1ftX3ft max. 

  3. Posted

    ddrummer88 Check out Robbins Sign Supply. Their website sucks but they give great service. They are located in Lenoir but deliver a long ways I think up to 100mi or so... Actually 131 miles in my case. Order over $50 delivery is free under $50 delivery is $5. They have great prices on substrates, but USCutter wins on vinyl. You do need a NC Tax ID number to not pay sales tax, if you don't then you have to pay sales tax. They can email you a catalog with pricing.

     

    just checked out the site, you were right it is awful!  but i'm going to give them a call tomorrow.  any tips on best brands for vinyl cutting?  i've seen 3M a lot of places.  i have no clue what types of vinyl there are and what types are better for t-shirts, stickers, decals, etc.  

     

    any guidance, knowledge or direction is appreciated!

  4. Posted

    ddrummer88 Check out Robbins Sign Supply. Their website sucks but they give great service. They are located in Lenoir but deliver a long ways I think up to 100mi or so... Actually 131 miles in my case. Order over $50 delivery is free under $50 delivery is $5. They have great prices on substrates, but USCutter wins on vinyl. You do need a NC Tax ID number to not pay sales tax, if you don't then you have to pay sales tax. They can email you a catalog with pricing.

     

    thanks Jarrotto!  (what name do you prefer?)

     

    i'll definitely check them out.  i did have a music business for a few months with a tax ID # but the company has since disolved.  do you know if there are any stipulations on owning more than one business tax ID # in the state of NC?  the one for the music business is probably still lingering around.  or is it possible to own multiple ones at the same time?  i need to brush up on my legal knowledge.

     

    thanks again man!

  5. Posted

    hi all.  i have an odd question, 

     

    if you are starting a sign business, t-shirt business, or any side/full-time business where you will be using decals, what do you guys think is a more viable and sustainable business model:

     

    1. - buy all your own equipment, learn the software and market yourself?

     

    - OR - 

     

    2. - outsource all your cutting needs to a cut store and then use the decals for whatever your venture is?

     

    i know it depends on quite a few factors but let's assume you have someone who knows how to operate the software and equipment if you're going the "on your own" route.

     

    i'm not sure the long-term costs of continually purchasing your own vinyl roles and machinery upgrades/maintenance, that's why i'm posing this question.

     

    any feedback is appreciated! 

     

    fyi working off mac and have posted same question in mac discussion forum.

  6. Posted

    hi all.  i have an odd question, posting here (as I have a mac) as well in the general discussion forum. 

     

    if you are starting a sign business, t-shirt business, or any side/full-time business where you will be using decals, what do you guys think is a more viable and sustainable business model:

     

    1. - buy all your own equipment, learn the software and market yourself?

     

    - OR - 

     

    2. - outsource all your cutting needs to a cut store and then use the decals for whatever your venture is?

     

    i know it depends on quite a few factors but let's assume you have someone who knows how to operate the software and equipment if you're going the "on your own" route.

     

    i'm not sure the long-term costs of continually purchasing your own vinyl roles and machinery upgrades/maintenance, that's why i'm posing this question.

     

    any feedback is appreciated! 

  7. Posted

    Since we have again started allowing people to join the forums without approval, we have had a few really bad spammers on here. A lot of it is coming from Russia, which is well known for sending out virus and spyware. Please be very careful about clicking on ANY link in a post that looks suspicious. Especially from someone who is a newbee and the link is in his/her first post.

    These scumbags usually post in the wee hours of the morning and sometimes I don't catch them for a few hours....so be careful.

     

    Thanks John!  Just joined and not trying to have my laptop get a bug!

     

    really appreciate the heads up man. 

  8. Posted

    If in Charlotte, Sunbelt Sign Supply - truck/van delivery, flat fee for delivery - varies by location. Sunbelt has the best prices for substrates around. (or that I've found)

    Alumapanel in Greer - also delivers by van/truck to the Charlotte and surrounding.  Free delivery over a certain amount. 

     

    thanks npace!  checking out Sunbelt and Alumapanel right now.

    • Like 1

  11. Posted

    As was quoted above the noise but also the ease and quality of the cuts. You can get precise cuts with a cheaper cutter but takes a lot more set up and adjusting then with a better quality machine. The quality also varies in stepper and servo motor machines. Graphtec is a quality machine and considered the sign industry standard.

     

    yea from what i've seen Graphtec is one of the best options out there.  there seems to be a decent amount of support vidoes as well.  how is the live support for Graphtec machines and their setup/maintenance? 

  12. Posted

    that is true - there are different resolution of stepper motors - the p-cut to the copam was quite a difference and i bet the new titan1 is even better than the copam.  but as you know once you to servo you can't go back

     

    so how about places to purchase?  i know there can be deals but i'm not big on dealing with ebay.  is it typically better to purchase direct from a brand manufacturer?  or would ordering off amazon be wise?  or...again, where can you actually go into a store and buy vinyl cutters? 

     

    thanks for everything guys!

  13. Posted

    The prices of cutters vary greatly as will the quality according to price. Buy the best you can afford and the best software you can afford. US Cutter machines come with scalp( sure cuts a lot pro) personaly i would download signblazer if i was planning on buying a us cutter machine. You may want to check out copam cutters if they have any left they would make a great starter machine they are stepper motor machines but from every thing i have read do a great job. Do some reading and research on the different cutters in your price range and then you can make an educated choice.

     

    ok great, thanks for the advice!

     

    what are some main differences between a stepper motor machine and the more (now) standard vinyl cutters?  forgive my ignorance!

  14. Posted

    hi all.  new to this forum, and forums in general.  also new to vinyl cutting!  i'm wanting to buy a good quality and fairly priced vinyl cutter/software, beginner level.  open to USCutter brands or others.

     

    any support is appreciated!  

     

    i'll be using the cutter to make sticker designs.