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cutter & software recommendations?
So whats the best cutter and software for a newbie.
There seems to lots of options out there but like all newbies i don’t want to break the bank.
There are lots on the internet auction site (not sure if i can name it) But you know the one. These cutters are pretty cheap but are they any good
Lee -
6 Replies
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lee,
I would go for a 610 plotter to start off with, and buy the best you can afford, the best machines are relatively cheap nowadays, and the good ones hold their value better than cheap chinese stuff.
An older graphtec (or mutoh, summa etc) will probably out perform most of the cheaper new stuff available. Software, corel is now a good starting point, but if arnt familiar with it, You may be better starting with a dedicated sign program, like signlab or flexisign, both off which do a cut only version without all the bels and whistles.Peter
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I do have coraldraw i have had it for a few years always messing and designing stuff for fun. if i design a sign in coraldraw would i still need a sign software program to do the cutter side.
Is p cut any good
Lee -
Do some searching on here for plotter names, especially p cut. It seems that most posts on these plotters are from people having problems with them.
You can output from coreldraw directly to some plotters. You should ask the manufacturer/supplier if it is possible or if the drivers are supplied to do this. I have a Graphtec and although I can cut direct from Coreldraw, the results weren’t up to much.
There are budget plotter driving programs about that allow you to import files created in Coreldraw in order to cut them.
Signgo is one, I think?
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I’ve tried Graphtecs new Cut programme for Corel and Illustrator and if you change the resolution on it and the cutter and change to gpgl results are very good. It also has automatic weld so script lettering and any shape of the same colour welds at cut time.
Alan D -
I run both roland and graphtec cutters. 48inch and 54inch wide, both great machines… i prefer the graphtec and would buy another tommorrow.
software…
i have to say signlab, been using it for years and cannot fault it for vinyl production and design. we have purchased 5 signlab packages over the years… pricey yes, but if your serious about this game then why not.
as a uksg member you can buy signlab from brian hays at impact. see members section for more info/prices.flexi gets good reports on here but i have yet to try it… costs more than signlab and is available from graphtec. see uksg members section for more info/prices…
another i havent tried is vinyl master pro, but again i have heard good reports and that it has allot of functions that the two high end packages have but costs allot less. this is avilable from grafityp. see uksg members section for more info/prices…
slightly chepaer again than them all is corel X3, like above, i havent used it nor tried it but andrew that works with me really likes it as do many other on the boards for various reasons. for more info see corel.co.uk for further details… UKSG discounts should be available on corel some time soon.
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I use Flexisign, Corel X3 and Signlab (mad I know) but they all have their uses. My version of Flexi is now old but used for specific repetitive work on a Mutoh SC650 cutter (brilliant – 10 years old and going strong).
I have used Corel for design since version 3 so know it backwards but still only use 50% of its power most days. In my opinion the standard for printing design vector software which others strive to copy.
Signlab as a design, print and cut program is unsurpassed with facilities I could only dream of when I started in this game. Best of all is the support with real people to talk to who listen and come up with the goods. If you want to cut vinyl and can afford it, buy Signlab, you will not regret it.
On another note my Summa D60 came with a plug in for Coreldraw. I haven’t tried it yet but intend to do so soon a there are still one or two printers not supported by signlab.
Colin
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