Use a sharpie to print your mockups!

[NateL 8]

We frequently print off some mockups on plotter paper with the provided Pen that came with our cutter. The pen would frequently go out, and looking at designs from a distance, you couldn't see the lines very well.

One day, I was tracing the pen lines with a sharpie and thunk...why not just put the sharpie in the cutter? Works like a charm!! Had to take some masking tape and wrap a few layers around the base of the pen, but it makes things much easier.

[taskforce4u 8]

cool idea thank for sharing

[Markk077 21]

Thanks for reminding me, I've seen that mentioned elsewhere and have been meaning to try it. I'm a HUGE believer in Sharpie pens. On some of the Commercial Electrical jobs I've worked in the past, if your toolbag didn't incude fresh Black, Red, Blue, & Green Sharpies, you were slowing things down.

I guess it's best to slow the plotter down quite a bit, in order to give the pen time to replenish the tip with ink?

[NateL 8]

Yeah slower seems to work better - but not too slow, otherwise it blots.

[Markk077 21]

Oh yeah... makes sense. I'm actually going to try 3M Electrical Tape (since I have a lot of it around). The grip is virtually 100% compared to Masking Tape (which is designed to "let go").

Regardless, thanks for the great heads-up idea.

Take care, Mark

[mfatty500 454]

been doing that for years

[Markk077 21]

Oh, but 1 more thing I wanted to say about plotter pens, because I love their "old fashioned" effect. I keep them sealed, vertically (point down), then before use, I scribble all over a piece of waste paper to be sure the pen is truly "primed". Don't worry about wasting ink, your overall drawing is way-more important. A touch of heat from a Bic Lighter may help it along, but get a new one/set tomorrow.

The whole idea for me is in great presentation to a potential client; but the artwork/fun of it is what keeps bringing me back to it.

[NateL 8]

is that cutter the TC SERIES from USCutter???

Yes, it is!

been doing that for years

I searched for "sharpie" and "marker" wondering if anyone already posted the tip...got nothin so I figured I'd post away

Oh, but 1 more thing I wanted to say about plotter pens, because I love their "old fashioned" effect. I keep them sealed, vertically (point down), then before use, I scribble all over a piece of waste paper to be sure the pen is truly "primed". Don't worry about wasting ink, your overall drawing is way-more important. A touch of heat from a Bic Lighter may help it along, but get a new one/set tomorrow.

The whole idea for me is in great presentation to a potential client; but the artwork/fun of it is what keeps bringing me back to it.

Yeah I always scribbled on a blank sheet before loading it up, but lately it's been going in and out. I will try keeping it sealed and straight up to see if that helps

[bigmax 166]

good info. thanks for sharing

[Badfish77 2]

backing off on the pressure is a good idea too along with slowing it down. might get more life from the tip

they are a great fit for the MH, no tape needed. going to brush up on the lathing skills and make a ferrel for them for the LP

freedompaper.com is a good source for roll media

[Pcrat 65]

oh yes i love using the pen, or sharpies, great for testing before cutting. I bought   a big 20 pack of pens that the ink tube is small and fits in the cutter pen that came with the cutter.