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Starting with this file: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/34207516/mar.jpg I open with ZebraTRACE using File - Open Bitmap. I then go to File - Load Preset and select HorizontalLines.preset. You have to play with the Number of Curves, Minimum and Maximum width values. Then you get a marLINE output. hehe. Here is a screen shot: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/34207516/marline.png

http://thevisualcommunicationguy.com/2014/07/14/can-i-use-that-picture/

3-5 day turnaround, I wish. We do most in less than 48 hours and on 4x8 or similar we get into 3-4 days. If I tell them more than 4 days they store shopping around.

I spent 3 hours today fighting with a desktop epson. You can keep those solvent printers and I'll keep subbing print jobs, way less stress that way.

I would recommend it. I'm a little bias though, I'm on my second printer, both of them Rolands. I've had no complaints. I started with the BN20, good machine to get your feet wet, but once you start offering printed graphics to your customers, you'll find out real quick that this particular printer was not built for any kind of production speed. From print speed to cut speed, it's slower than molasses in winter. Once I moved into a large enough space, I spent the money and got a brand new versacamm VS-300i. Oh man, I wish I hadn't waited as long as I did to upgrade. My niche is small decals ( under 5") and reflective graphics for emergency vehicles. This machine is more than enough for me. The versacamm is a great all in one printer. If your print demand increases ( which it most likely will) couple it with a gx300 cutter, and you can let the printer print off specific lengths of material, and while that's going on, you can take the finished prints, laminate them, and cut them separately, saving you tons of time. I've seen them all over the net used, you can pick them up for anywhere between $5-8k. Now the other side of the coin. These machines need about as much attention as small child would. They need to be fed properly (OEM inks highly recommended) and cleaned on a regular basis. These things also don't like to sit around with nothing to do, you need to print things off regularly to keep the ink from getting stagnant in the lines, dampers, & heads. You can't just print on any old vinyl, you need to buy the proper solvent printable vinyl. Some jobs will require you to laminate, there's more material and another machine. Some people use a big squeegee, there's too much "silvering" when I use a BS, I personally would recommend a hand crank or electric cold roll laminator. The upfront cost will be more than just the purchase cost of the printer. Keep that in mind while window shopping.

Glad you got it working in Graphtec Studio. That should help others who only use Graphtec Studio. I will stick to illustrator and the Cutting Master Plugin.

My situation, I have ran my online stores for years now, and only have 50 yd rolls. In over 35 colors. I would never do it any other way. I sell large decals 8-16 ft, x 2 and would never consider buy as I go or 10 yd rolls. My buyers make a direct purchase, and I have a 2 day handling time. (Buyers complain about more handling time). Those orders have got to roll out my door in 2 days,or I would be getting bad feed back. and piled up on orders, waiting on vinyl. No way I ship same day/next day always.. Maybe if you sold little decals, you might be able to get away with it.. But not large decals. And I have never had a problem with old vinyl... I started with 10 yd rolls, made a sale and then purchased that color in 50 yd...until I had everything in 50 yd rolls.. If you have a successful biz, you are using that vinyl. Depends on what the OP is selling, If you have a successful biz you cannot sit there and order vinyl everyday, and wait for it to come in, just so you can work. And when I get down to 1/2 a roll, I am ordering vinyl. I sell online only..

I just hate not having what a person wants on hand and not getting that task done right away and getting out behind. Lol I'm sure you guys know what I mean. And since a kellers is only 20 mins away I'm going to try them out. Maybe that will solve my solution to this question. Hopefully they don't want a tax id number or anything at this time. Hopefully they will let me order with out. I want to get my bus lic and tax id. But at this time in my situation in going on right now I'd like to stay off the books. If you know what I mean.

An update... I ended up using FDC 2100 vinyl because Oracal didn't offer the color I needed (I ended up with a layered design). I did the initial demo yesterday and it turned out quite nicely. I used clear tape and cut it closely around the design, then heated it up over a lamp. The text went down easily with some gentle pressure. The tail didn't want to follow the same contour so I cut it off and applied it separately. The issue of the customer applying it themselves resolved itself when the team's coach decided to give me the helmets before players get them so that I can apply the decals (with that bit of labor going into the cost). Thanks again for all the replies, they were very helpful!

I love these panels I use 5X7" ones and 4x4" I have larger ones but those are street signs.

Thanks, they look even better in person. I think it's time to build a light tent for better photos! I bought them from Conde. http://www.dyetrans.com/products.php?webmaincat=sub_prods&websubcat=chromaluxe&websubcat2=aluminum&websubcat3=&wsc4=

This printer has a seperate print spread and speed just for banners. at its highest speed, you can print up to 70 sq/ft per hr. On a 30" model, thats just under 6 linear inches per minute at the full 30" material width. Tthe higher the speed, the lower the quality though, but for roadside banners, and banners strung up high, crystal clear, razor sharp images are not always needed. just get yourself some hemming tape, and a grommet machine and you're set.

I have a sp-300v - dumping $1K in parts this week again. just yearly maint, stuff

perfect

If I were going to spend that much I'd buy 10 yard rolls in a bunch of colors. Oh wait that is how I did it lol. I get more sales due to variety than quantity

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="xpaperman" data-cid="367295" data-time="1407279553"><p> I have used the maxmetal 4' x 8' sheet for signs. Mounted to 4" x 4" posts. Looks great! Holds up well too. The customer has a "crew" on staff so he had them do the frame for the sign. They used 2 4" x 4" posts for the sides. Then measured down 4' and put a horizontal 2" x 4" to rest the sign on... then a 2" x 4" cap. Then they trimmed out both sides around the edge of the sign with 1/4" (or maybe 1/2") round molding to hold it in place. Holds up to winds just fine.</p></blockquote> That's exactly how I do most of mine

Brothers Bold mark-s

Dakota, I liked the blade holder - HOLDER you added! And having them ready to switch out.

How long would it take you to use 10-20 50 yard rolls? Vinyl does have a shelf life, it gets shorter if not stored properly. I try not to keep more than I need, for large jobs I order fresh rolls from local vendors. If i can't pick it up they can usually deliver next day.

How do you use ZebraTrace to do the above? It make a circle of every image I upload not straight across?

Here's a fresh one... SlidingHorse.svg SlidingHorse.eps

Captain I am glad you don't live closer to Jaybird! Went by and saw him today and got the Hotronix he had for sale. I will say I picked his brain a bit too. Now to start playing...I mean making money Butch

Here's the scene for the benefit of anyone who hasn't seen it...

What's a nubian? Sorry - one of my favorite lines/scenes from Chasing Amy...

You're having waaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyy too much fun!!!!!