Turbophein 0 Posted April 8, 2010 Hi my name is matt, i am definitely a newb to this. just want to say thanks ahead of time for your time and help... i want to create quality custom multi color single layer graphics for dirtbikes on vinyl. i would need them to last for quite a while, being exposed to the sun and all. not even sure what kind of printer or programs i need to do this. i also need to know what kind of program i would need to scan in templates for decals, i know there is a process for this but again i am a newb and don't know it. i realize i will have to invest some money to do what i want, but that is fine with me... i want to do it right the first time. i don't think i need those $7k + printers, i don't even think i will need anything bigger than 24" wide printer. so what setup would be best for a newb to make quality custom scanned graphics for dirtbike/motorcycles? thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hockeygirl 30 Posted April 8, 2010 Are you looking to do cut vinyl graphics or printed graphics? That makes a big difference. Cut vinyl only requires only a cutter/plotter, which starts around $400 for an entry level one and goes up to a few thousand dollars. But if you're looking for a printer and cutter, or printer/cutter, you're looking at over $10k (assuming you find a really good deal on a used one) to get started after you get all your equipment and supplies. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Turbophein 0 Posted April 8, 2010 yes i want full color and cutter yes. i was looking at a Roland colorcamm Pc 600 but i think it is a little overkill for what i want to do... another problem i am finding is where to find the motorcycle templates. i found 1 guy selling templates for bikes, but i want the whole program with all the bikes. i'm sure it won't be cheap! http://worcester.craigslist.org/mcy/1639201409.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rodger 527 Posted April 9, 2010 Most decals made now for the dirtbike plastic tanks are perforated because the plastic lets fumes out . When aftermarket decals 1rst came out , after awhile ... bubbles the size of eggs would develop & keep growing . I have used Oracal 651 on my dirtbikes , but i didn't add any on the tank . It has held up as well as any vinyl would have IMO & experience . IMO , that market is a very tough market especially with all the decals available . Custom , personalized decals are a market , but like you said .. it is way overkill to spend that much if you don't intend to have a bigger market . My advice is to buy a cutter & do what you can/want in multi colors & out-source the printed stuff you want . 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Turbophein 0 Posted April 5, 2011 Most decals made now for the dirtbike plastic tanks are perforated because the plastic lets fumes out . When aftermarket decals 1rst came out , after awhile ... bubbles the size of eggs would develop & keep growing . I have used Oracal 651 on my dirtbikes , but i didn't add any on the tank . It has held up as well as any vinyl would have IMO & experience . IMO , that market is a very tough market especially with all the decals available . Custom , personalized decals are a market , but like you said .. it is way overkill to spend that much if you don't intend to have a bigger market . My advice is to buy a cutter & do what you can/want in multi colors & out-source the printed stuff you want . well i am looking into this again for real. i have been selling sponsor decals for over a year now with awesome results, allowing me to use that money to invest in a printer/cutter. i also want a regular 48" plotter so i can start making decals with that. i also found some programs i want to use. any input would be great. http://www.hyatts.com/sign/vehicle-template-software-3.3627 http://www.hyatts.com/sign/vector-art-mega-collection-combo-pack-T10518 a little pricey but i guess worth it in the end. i really need help picking out the right scanner, multicolor printer, and plotter. to be able to make my own templates and scan them into photoshop to make decals/graphics. and i can't seem to find any local classes that would help me get started. i am working on finding a store front now... i really want to get this business going. thanks for any help Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MZ SKEETER 4,728 Posted April 5, 2011 That Mega Pack is a WHOLE lot cheaper on Uscutter website http://www.uscutter.com/Vector-Mega-Collections_c_155.html 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mopar691 281 Posted April 6, 2011 A PC-600 will not fit your need for this. You need to be able to print on something like Oracal 3951HT or similar vinyl. You will need a solvent printer, laminator and templates. You can easily drop 15 to 20k in this setup not including any material and software. Then making the templates is no easy chore. A good set of templates is gunna set you back a week per bike and to buy a premake kit for some current bikes across a few companys costs about a grand to start with. If thats all your gunna do with this setup you better be pretty prominent in this scene as there is already alot of people flooding this market and its not to easy to make and sell alot of these to justify the equipment costs. Draw up designs, farm out the printing and start there. Feel out your marketing abilities first before going balls in and sitting on 30k of machinery and products wondering how can I make the payments this month. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Turbophein 0 Posted April 6, 2011 A PC-600 will not fit your need for this. You need to be able to print on something like Oracal 3951HT or similar vinyl. You will need a solvent printer, laminator and templates. You can easily drop 15 to 20k in this setup not including any material and software. Then making the templates is no easy chore. A good set of templates is gunna set you back a week per bike and to buy a premake kit for some current bikes across a few companys costs about a grand to start with. If thats all your gunna do with this setup you better be pretty prominent in this scene as there is already alot of people flooding this market and its not to easy to make and sell alot of these to justify the equipment costs. Draw up designs, farm out the printing and start there. Feel out your marketing abilities first before going balls in and sitting on 30k of machinery and products wondering how can I make the payments this month. thanks for the replies! i have been looking at newer style printers. i think i might go with a roland vp 300i used on ebay. they look like like great printers and a lot of people use them for this application. $6500ish i also found another supplier for the mx/atv template cd $800 and the new one listed above $300 i still need to research some more, but i think i need a laminator also, but not always. i also need a scanner??? any advice for what i should look for? some materials and a lot of practice. so figure $10-$11,000 to get me started. its like buying a car, but this makes you money! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rodger 527 Posted April 6, 2011 thanks for the replies! i have been looking at newer style printers. i think i might go with a roland vp 300i used on ebay. they look like like great printers and a lot of people use them for this application. $6500ish i also found another supplier for the mx/atv template cd $800 and the new one listed above $300 i still need to research some more, but i think i need a laminator also, but not always. i also need a scanner??? any advice for what i should look for? some materials and a lot of practice. so figure $10-$11,000 to get me started. its like buying a car, but this makes you money! You must not have to drive to work Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Turbophein 0 Posted April 7, 2011 i found a roland xc540 for sale with all kinds of software/templates and a 64" laminator for $20000. seems like what i am looking for and its plenty big to handle any future work. any feedback on this printer? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
