threezzz 10 Posted November 12, 2012 USCutter SC Series Vinyl Cutter USCutter TC Series Vinyl Cutter USCutter LaserPoint II Vinyl Cutter OK...i am looking to get a vinyl cutter at the beginning of the year.... should have enough money saved up by then... of the 3 cutters above, what is the differences... is the laserpoint better?? pros/cons of each....looking to make mostly window decals, smallest maybe 3"x 3", one colored Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MZ SKEETER 4,709 Posted November 12, 2012 any vinyl cutter will do what you want, it is stated on here many, many times, purchase the BEST that you can afford. This can be read on any of UScutters, vinyl cutter ads on EBAY,,, If you want to see the difference between the SC and TC, read the specs on the Ebay ads Machines Compared The first thing you need to ask yourself is how much cutting do I plan on doing, and if things go better than expected, how much could I be doing? If your answer to this question is: "I am cutting to make money as a business and I'll take as much as comes my way", then you need to look at our professional cutters first. These cutters are designed to be run at production levels. This means cutting vinyl every day hours at a time. Our value cutters (entry level) or anybody else's are not designed to handle the rigors of cutting vinyl every day over the long term. They are appropriate as a backup or to handle overflow when you need more capacity as a result of rush jobs. Our professional models provide design features for the dependability necessary for those in business. Simply stated, our professional models cut faster, through thicker material, run quieter, and operate with a larger variety of sign software, and last longer than our value cutters. Professional Series Cutters: Which is right for me? Copam This machine is for someone serious about cutting vinyl on a production level now or in the future, but might not have the budget to afford our Graphtec Line. The Copam is a workhorse loved by its users and respected in the industry. Check out what our forum members say about it. The powerful motor in this machine is fast and strong, able to cut heavier materials such as certain fabrics, sandblast mask, window tint and more. Available in 24", 48", and 54". Graphtec This cutter is for someone committed to making a living cutting vinyl and wants the finest equipment in the industry. These machines have been known to run for 10+ years every day and only needing blades replaced. Talk about dependable! These cutters are compatible with almost any software and can contour cut. Available in 2 models: Graphtec CE5000 Graphtec has traditionally been at the high end in price and quality in the industry. In an effort to make its cutters affordable to a larger segment of the industry, Graphtec has introduced a scaled down, but still powerful version of its signature FK7000. The CE5000 comes with a 2 year warranty. Available in 24" and 48". Graphtec FC8000 The industry standard: If you have to have the best cutter money can buy, Graphtec's F000 has everything you want including contour cutting. It comes with a 3 year warranty. Available in 24", 36", 48", and 64". Value Cutters If you are not planning on cutting vinyl every day because you plan to use your cutter for personal use or just your business instead of buying cut vinyl, or you want to start slow because you don't know if this is the business for you, or you simply don't have the cash for a professional cutter at this time, then look at our strong lineup of value cutters. These cutters also function well as backup cutters should you get overflow work, or if your main cutter is down for repairs. USCutter MH Series This is our lowest price cutter. Perfect for a 2nd cutter or someone just wanting to get their feet wet. It is limited in the types of software that can be used; however it works well with the software we bundle with this machine, SignBlazer Trial Version, and SignCut X2. This cutter is available in 12" (portable), 25", and 50". Creation PCUT A step up in quality and reliability from our USCutter MH Series, this line of cutters features a vacuum fan that eliminates the need for a third pinch roller. These units are also compatible with more types of software including Sign Blazer Trial Version, SignCut X2, and Flexi Starter 8.5. PCUTs are available in 24", 36", and 48". US Laser Point This cutter has all the same features of our Creation PCUT, but with the added bonus of a laser register that allows you to contour cut around preprinted digital graphics (cutting out decals). This step involves using a digital printer to print onto pressure sensitive vinyl first, then running the vinyl through the USCutter Laserpoint to cut out the graphics. This is a cost effective option for anyone who currently operates a digital printer, or plans on adding digital printing to their business in the future. Contour Cutting What is contour cutting? Have you ever seen a large, full color logo on the side of vehicle? You know that it is too intricate to be multi layer applied vinyl. It's basically a decal that has been printed with outdoor inks on white vinyl with a digital printer. Once printed onto the vinyl, the digitally printed shapes need to be cut out of the vinyl with a cutter. But the cutter needs someone way of knowing how to cut around the printed portion of the vinyl. Here is where the registration eye, or laser, comes into play with our contour cutters. The eye or laser registers at the edges of the printed portion of the vinyl allowing the software to know where to start and stop cutting. To contour cut with our USCutter Laserpoint, you will need to print to your digital printer with the software bundled with the USCutter Laserpoint, and then cut the preprinted vinyl using the same software. Our Graphtec series have more advanced contour cutting features allowing for greater tolerances and to cut and print with almost any design software. Contour cutting allows you to expand your product line as your capabilities are increased to create decals, full color t shirts, and vehicle wraps, just to name a few. What size cutter should I buy? Vinyl cutters are available in sizes from 8" cutting width up to 60". The question you need to ask is "Where am I willing to take my business?" If your answer is: "I am buying my cutter for a very specific application (paint stencils for a consistent product size) that I am already doing, or I am a hobbyist and not interested in anything more than I'm doing" (i.e. motorcycle detailing) then you should buy a cutter that will handle the single largest dimension you will ever need to cut. Typically a 25" cutter is all you will ever need. However if you answer the question, "If things go well, I'll take whatever comes my way, then you need to think about a larger cutter. For example once you get into vehicle graphics, it won't be long before someone wants the side of their van, trailer, or truck done, and they are not going to allow you to seam their 30" logo with 2 pieces of vinyl you cut on your 25" cutter. You might have to turn down that large light box face job, pay someone else to cut the graphics for you, or turn them over to your competitor because the job requires graphics that are larger than 24" in all directions. A 36", 48", or 54" cutter might be worth the extra investment down the road. The following is a rough guide for what you can do with different size cutters: 8" - 12" Cutting Width: Good for crafters and hobbyists; extremely portable. It can handle most wall lettering, lettering on some vehicles, and small decals. Drawbacks: 12" vinyl is hard to find and you will probably be forced to cut down larger rolls of vinyl. 24" - 25" Cutting Width: Vinyl comes commonly in 24" rolls. A 24" cutter is somewhat portable. It handles most vehicle graphics, smaller signs and banners, most storefront window lettering, lettering for interior walls or products, all heat transfer vinyl for t-shirts, and can cut smaller vinyl for all kinds of decals. 30" - 36" Cutting Width: Good all purpose size. It can create larger signs and can do most vehicle jobs including vans, and some trucks and trailers, Larger logos and decals. Can handle vinyl 30" and larger which is commonly available. It can also use 24" and smaller size vinyl. 48" - 50" Cutting width: Great for big jobs and large signs. Large trucks, trailers, large storefront window applications. Vinyl is commercially available in 48" lengths. It can also handle smaller vinyl. 54" Cutting width: It can handle almost anything. Special projects, large wall exhibits, wholesale work for other shops. People with 54" - 60" cutters often pick up jobs from other sign shops that have smaller cutters. 60" is the largest size in commercially available vinyl. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slice&dice 2,450 Posted November 12, 2012 *** Rolls eyes *** First of all, you aren't going to be using the laser feature anyway for your decal projects. So, take that particular item out of the equation. In fact, the MH will do what you want. Get one for Christmas, and put it under the tree. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vinylmotivations 143 Posted November 12, 2012 Slice- how do you know he won't be using the laser function?? With SCAL and other softwares- maybe the OP will want to do contour cutting!!!?? Go for the LP2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slice&dice 2,450 Posted November 12, 2012 Slice- how do you know he won't be using the laser function?? With SCAL and other softwares- maybe the OP will want to do contour cutting!!!?? Go for the LP2 I know because I read the post he made, and I quote: "looking to make mostly window decals, smallest maybe 3"x 3", one colored" Laser alignment is used to set the cutter to follow outlines of printed materials (4-color process). That, of course, requires you to have a vinyl-printer, which is outside of the scope of what he's attempting to do here. Anyway, I'll stick with my advice on the 28" or 34" MH for under $300. (Note, there's just a $20 difference between the two sizes, and there will be times when running 30" vinyl is desired, so why limit yourself? For instance, a white decal that goes across the front of a windshield) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vinylmotivations 143 Posted November 12, 2012 I agree. Then again- your own statement about why limit yourself... ok- why limit it? The laser alignment allows that option later. You can buy printable vinyl for use in any inkjet printer for short term and craft use items... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slice&dice 2,450 Posted November 12, 2012 I agree. Then again- your own statement about why limit yourself... ok- why limit it? The laser alignment allows that option later. You can buy printable vinyl for use in any inkjet printer for short term and craft use items... You agree with what? That the MH will be OK for his needs? Inkjet printing cannot be used for (car) window decals, so why even bring it up? I am not going along with your suggestions for 'crafting' or 'short term' applications, because the OP was VERY specific about his intentions, and asked for a suggestion regarding a machine that would accomplish EXACTLY what he desires to make -- mostly window decals, smallest maybe 3"x 3", one colored We have to stick within that parameter, I believe, and not stray into other realms when trying to address the request of threezzz. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vinylmotivations 143 Posted November 12, 2012 Take a watch at this threezzz It will give a comprehensive breakdown of what each machine will do. Basic first, then after- more advanced. My input is buy the best you can afford as to not limit yourself in any way. The MH some have used with great success. Others prefer the SC or TC cutters, just depends what ALL you plan on doing. If you wish to perform contour cutting, for printed materials such as inkjet transfers, t-shirt heat press transfers as well as dye sublimation then you will definitely want to shake your wallet in the direction of a basic MH or SC like Slice uses. If you'd like to eventually venture into the unknown and new stuff then go for a Laserpoint. Again, buy the best you can afford. I started with a Laserpoint 1 even though I thought I wasn't sure I would need it and ended up using that feature to pay for it even faster (2 weeks) and in 8 months I was buying a graphtec instead that is run daily. Now I have 3. Just my 2 cents. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slice&dice 2,450 Posted November 12, 2012 And that's exactly why I rolled my eyes, because these details are all available right there on the USCUTTER sales website, both the info that Skeet patiently copy-pasted and the video linked above. Side Note: Out of curiosity, V-M, did you begin with the Epson WF1100 along with the Laserpoint? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vinylmotivations 143 Posted November 12, 2012 No, the epson came later, because I had the option with my cutter to contour cut.... I picked it up about 4 months later. I still use it to this day- just produced a prototype of a bumper sticker for a customer to see before printing it on the solvent machine I have access to (Mutoh 64") It's a waste to run that big beast for a single. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slice&dice 2,450 Posted November 12, 2012 Ahhhhhh, interesting insights. Didn't mean to derail the thread, I probably should have PM'd you. By the way, this entire topic has been covered for threezzz in a previous thread, back in October, with the EXACT same answers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BannerJohn 1,324 Posted November 12, 2012 Rolls eyes 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
threezzz 10 Posted November 12, 2012 thank you VM for the helpful advice!.....guess a new person shouldn't ask for any help or info in the forums here..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BannerJohn 1,324 Posted November 12, 2012 thank you VM for the helpful advice!.....guess a new person shouldn't ask for any help or info in the forums here..... Feel free to ask. That's what we are here for. Well, most of us anyway. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vinylmotivations 143 Posted November 12, 2012 Feel free to ask. That's what we are here for. Well, most of us anyway. Please ask, I got to where I am today thanks to this forum SOLELY - I am more than willing to help as are many folks on here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
threezzz 10 Posted November 12, 2012 Please ask, I got to where I am today thanks to this forum SOLELY - I am more than willing to help as are many folks on here. thank you...i see ur from iowa.....i am in minnesota...southwest corner of the state Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piscespokerbrat 80 Posted November 12, 2012 thank you...i see ur from iowa.....i am in minnesota...southwest corner of the state Western South Dakota neighbor! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
threezzz 10 Posted November 12, 2012 Western South Dakota neighbor! hello SD neighbor! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
threezzz 10 Posted November 12, 2012 Feel free to ask. That's what we are here for. Well, most of us anyway. thank you..! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
