jdmarti1 20 Posted October 3, 2015 OK, I have decided to take the plunge for my wife. She wants to be able to cut vinyl, do mugs, do car magnets, etc. She will never be wrapping a car or doing large signs. My shopping list is huge. She wants to be able to do banners and such, so I know a solvent printer is on the list. Don't know what though. I will buy her sublimation printer from Richard, that's easy enough. Solvent printers are a different breed. I need something that isn't to big, and a bit more forgiving. Preferably used. I am planning on getting a used Summa cutter, now I need to figure out the solvent printer. I am thinking if she can print 36" it will never need to be bigger. Help me please. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dakotagrafx 7,297 Posted October 3, 2015 well - you are too far away from me for the solvent printer I have for sale - but you will either be looking at 30" or 48-54". mutoh might be an idea for a print only. you also might look at the latex printers from hp that usc sells - they cost more per print and use a lot more power (so wiring might need upgraded) but less maint and not sure but might be a little less fussy about not bing used all the time. remember a solvent printer will turn itself on 3-4 times a day to purge ink thru the heads into a waste ink tank to keep the heads clear and there is a weekly manual maint to keep things clean and running right.great price on this one right now for the 54" latexhttp://www.uscutter.com/HP-Latex-110-Wide-Format-Printer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dakotagrafx 7,297 Posted October 3, 2015 figure printer and laminator - nice cutter, sublimation set up, supplies you should be able to come in around $17-20K Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdmarti1 20 Posted October 3, 2015 What is the difference between later and solvent? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mark-s 1,126 Posted October 3, 2015 For Banners 54 inch solvent print, colors just come out a lot cleaner, sharper looking. mark-s Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dakotagrafx 7,297 Posted October 3, 2015 one of the criticism of latex is the colors are not as vibrant = was just reading an article in one of the trade mags on it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdmarti1 20 Posted October 3, 2015 I just don't think she needs anything that big. 30" should be big enough, maybe 42. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dakotagrafx 7,297 Posted October 3, 2015 there have been a couple people bragging about the mutoh and prismjet printers - but they generally disappear and we don't hear from them after a year or two - the mimika and roland seems to be the two that really are serviceable for the long run and made much more sturdy. heck when i ordered the roland original parts for mine this year I had them in 2 days - try that with a 3 yr old hp or mutoh Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wildgoose 4,200 Posted October 4, 2015 So as an interested observer I pose a question to the experienced. The OP mentioned banners, do you need a flatbed printer to print right on banners or do you print on non-hemmed and then hem and grommet them? I would like to understand the process a little better for someday.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dakotagrafx 7,297 Posted October 4, 2015 So as an interested observer I pose a question to the experienced. The OP mentioned banners, do you need a flatbed printer to print right on banners or do you print on non-hemmed and then hem and grommet them? I would like to understand the process a little better for someday.... I print them on non hemmed and then hem tape and grommet them 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jaybyrd 3,770 Posted October 5, 2015 Also if you are using the printer mainly for banner work don't overlook using a wholesaler and saving yourself some up front money and a few headaches. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sue2 920 Posted October 5, 2015 Jay is right, if you add in the time & effort it takes to print, cut, tape/hem & grommet a banner it's often wiser to order it and move on. Design time is the same if you print or order from a wholesaler. Sue2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
