Linda

One last update: The Waiting message on my LP cutter was resolved with a $35 Serial to USB cable from Radio Shack. I also upgraded to Corel x3 and now EVERYTHING is operating smoothly and easily, just the way I want... No more memory problems or cutting issues. I've used alot of cutters over the years and I have to admit for the cost this is a pretty nifty cutter! Ken, haumana, BannerJohn, mustangconv85, jay2703... Thanks for the help!

50% deposit is very typical for the industry. Ask for a deposit up front on every order. Insist on one with substantial orders where you must purchase materials. If a customer balks at leaving a deposit, I'd ask why. There are some legit reasons, but, I'd be leery nonetheless. In the past I've had checks returned for insufficient funds from a doctor, a lawyer, a fitness center, several real estate agents and especially new businesses. Some people even fail to pick up the order at all. One time after calling a gazillion times on a phoned-in, one-day turnaround order that wasn't picked up after a week, I found out that the person actually ordered the same wood sign from several local shops and picked up from whoever finished first! Often, the person you least expect will be the one to stiff you!

That's a great resource! I noticed they even had waterslide decals... not too long ago I had to send a customer away for that. Thanks for the info, BannerJohn!

I've been thinking about this too... I cut digital print media to 8.5 x 11 size and ran it through my printer and the ink came out very wet and smeared. So what kind is correct to use? and do you have to overcoat it with something to keep the ink from coming off?

No big secret... NW suburban Detroit... or should I be more specific Jenny

Clear app tape rarely adheres to vinyl well since it is so low tack. The only thing I use it for is if I have to layer vinyl at a clients site. Even then it can be a pain since you can't do a wet application with it.

Hi Roy, I'm new and from Michigan too.

Find out where the local sign companies purchase their supplies. I live in a large suburban area and we have 3 major supply warehouses and several smaller ones. Most of my purchases are from the major suppliers. Their stock turns over quickly and they sell only brands and materials their clientele repeatedly purchase. You can try looking up "Sign Equipment & Supplies" in the yellow pages of the phone book. One of my suppliers is listed there. The other 2 are listed under signs. None of them actually has the term "Supplies" in their name, so you may have to do some calling around. These companies may not sell to the general public. One of my major suppliers will, but at higher retail prices. An online source I sometimes use is Beacon Graphics, www.beacongraphics.com, but you'll having shipping charges. They carry Transfer Rite and R-Tape, both good brands of pre-mask. They also carry tons of other supplies. You'll need a company name, address, billing info etc. to set up an account. I'm not sure if you need a EIN number.

UPDATE: I sure hope I don't jinx myself, but so far so good! I'm getting my 4x4 banners cut with multiple lines of text. I had to reset the cutter origin in SC, somehow it changed and the cutter head kept hitting the kill switch, but I managed to luck out with that problem and got it solved. Still getting the "waiting" message on the cutter and having to shut everything down between each panel cut. But atleast it's cutting and hopefully once Ken calls me back, I can get this issue resolved as well. I know I keep saying it, but srsly, thanks for the help!

I'm a newbie for sure, but I just had this problem 5 minutes ago as well. Here's what I did that seemed to work: 1. unplug cutter at power source and plug back in 2. unplug usb cable at computer 3. close out signcut 4. reset the origin on cutter 5. replace usb connection to computer 6. open signcut 7. under "Cutter" make sure vinyl is correct height 7. click "Reset cutter" 8. open your file There may be some unessasary steps in there, but this reset the cutter to the edge of the vinyl where I want it. Good luck!

Hi haumana and BannerJohn. I'm back after a few hours sleep and going to try the scaled down eps files. I'll keep you updated as to how it goes. Again THANKS, THANKS, THANKS for all your help haumana!

Thanks I'll give it a try... btw what did you do to it? LOOKS LIKE THAT DID THE TRICK! The whole thing cut... so what's your secret? Thanks... and really, please share what you did to the file. *on knees pleading/begging* I have 18 large banners to cut and customer wants them asap (like Sunday! ) All are different, 4' h by either 4' or 8' lengths with lots of text on some.

I'm running off a laptop and my husband did get me a usb to serial cable and loaded the software but we couldn't get the cutter to communicate with the computer then. Probably a com problem but we didn't want to mke too many change and completely ruin our chances of cutting anything! I have a call in to tech support, maybe they can help with that. Unless of course you can?

Thanks I'll give it a try... btw what did you do to it?

Zipping the file for SBE? or to post online? Ok, looks like it attached... I changed it to black & white file. Fred Lavery Company.eps Fred Lavery Company.eps