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which plotter sould i go for a graohtec or a summa?
Hi
cannot decide between Graphtec 5000-60 or Summa D60 with opus Eye
will be running signlab 7.1 vinyl
any help in making me decide, i am leaning towards the graphtec at min but still not so sure
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30 Replies
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is that the 610 wide graphtec mate?
between the two ide go for the graphtec because i have been running one for a few years now and its never missed a beat. trust me when i say we put our machines through some heavy cutting sessions.. :lol1:
we run a 48inch roland and a 54 inch graphtec.
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I have a Summa D60SE (opus eye) and can’t fault it, works great and tracks perfectly over 5 meters (and more) but the biggest I have done is 5 meters.
Just my opinion but cannot compare as I don’t know Graphtec
Cheers
Warren
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yes its the 610
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Have run both makes. (1200mm)
Currently have a Summa D120 and it tracks the same, if not marginally and I mean MARGINALLY better than the Graphtec FC5100.
That said, the Graphtec looked better and less ‘minimal’ in appearance with a few nice features missing from a Summa as standard.
It’s just personal preference in the end as they are both high quality machines that will do exactly what you need.
I would say that you often get better deals with the Summa. eg. free stands / baskets & a maybe a longer warranty.
Both will run very well under Signlab and can track 5m+ without any quaility issues.
Dave
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Not much to choose between either machine, I would buy whichever was cheapest. You will be happy whichever way you go 😎
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quote a brown:yes its the 610
any particular reason for the 610 mate or is it just a price thing…?
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Roland, Graphtec, Summa are all quality machines and very reliable. Any advice you get from users is likely to be based on what they are used to or have.
If you’ve established the correct spec, I would buy on price.
If you can, you could consider waiting for Sign UK as there might be some good deals going.
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I was considering the 610 well the graphtec in this media size due t the fact so many people told me not to waste money buying the plotters that can cut wider media!!
I was originally looking at the wider plotters, cost not really been a major consideration, apart from spending more on a van than intended doing but there is some scrap out there, just picked myself a 03 plated merc vito!! -
It depends what sort of work you’re after of course, but I wouldn’t limit myself to 610 wide. Every other enquiry I get is for large window floods/graphics. Also, lightboxes. What does a 610 plotter cut? About 580mm?
Anyway, Graphtec’s pretty good, never used a Summa.
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quote a brown:I was considering the 610 well the graphtec in this media size due t the fact so many people told me not to waste money buying the plotters that can cut wider media!!I wouldn’t say a bigger plotter is a waste of money ……… it gives you more flexibility.
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I’m sure Marcella will agree, its not the size that matters, its how you use it. A610 is the most usful size, and unless you are
doing 40′ trailers on day to day basis a 610 will do most van and truck stuff. also you need to think about the amount of space needed to stock the wider rolls of vinyl
I would buy 1220, if you have the room , but stock only 610 vinyl, buying 1220 as needed.Peter
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quote Peter Normington:I’m sure Marcella will agree, its not the size that matters, its how you use it.
🙄
I buy 760mm wide material and 1220mm when needed. 😀
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I have access to a 1200 plotter by another local signmaker who carries both vinyl so i was considering this to be the better option for the bigger jobs.
If i find that the work was comming in that i needed the wider media my thoughts were to get a bigger plotter or pxThe graphtec has max media 712 mm [28"] and Maximum cutting area
603 mm -
Graphtec, Roland, Mimaki or Summa and you’ll be fine. No problem.
Subject to budget and space, I’d say go for a wider one. You don’t have to buy 1220 vinyl unless you specifically need it, but you’ll be surprised how often that ability to cut wider than 580mm will be useful.
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I have used a Summa D60 for the last couple of years and swear by it. But I have to agree with a few on here, If you can afford a larger 1220 machine go for it. John is right, it is surprising at how often I wish I had a larger machine. Luckily for me all the jobs where I have had to join two pieces have all been on signs fitted up high so you can’t see the joint.
Good luck mate
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There is nothing wrong with a join, Not many people can do a 12m trailer in one piece anyway. joins are only noticeable (and not always that obvious)on stuff like etch vinyl on glass. On vehicles, if done properly, only a signmaker sees the join, Like do you notice the join in wallpaper, unless you are the decorator….
Peter
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I totally agree with you Peter. I mean when I have to apply something that’s say 650mm and can only cut 580mm. More irritating than anything..Am I making sense? Had a few beers tonight 😀
Paul -
Hi
i have run a Summa 610 for 5 years still going strong & a Summa 1220 for 2 1/2 years. Both running side by side now although the 610 is mainly used for TShirt media. I run a majority of 610 in the 1220 & just order in the wider media when i need it. Biggest gripes are long runs causing problems when using media baskets & the media feed out beforeit cuts a job, but good reliable machinesKev
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Having a 4 footer (ooer missus!) is just so much easier. I never have to consider the limitation of the smaller size when designing. Even something as simple as a block of bullet-point text on a window is a much quicker job to produce and fit. Space isn’t a problem – I work out of a 14′ x 8′ room and I get on fine.
Etch effect vinyl has never been more popular than it is now, and I refuse to have a join in it. Also, I find that I can nest more stuff and leave the plotter cutting a lot of stuff, rather than having to set it going as often.
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You can turn off the media pre feed on the Summa I did this as I felt it was a pain after a while.
Goop
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quote Andy Gorman:Etch effect vinyl has never been more popular than it is now, and I refuse to have a join in it. Also, I find that I can nest more stuff and leave the plotter cutting a lot of stuff, rather than having to set it going as often.
Andy, do you decline to do a window that is 50mm wider than your 1220 plotter?
There is always someone who has a bigger one!
nesting is really a thing of the past, when vinyl was expensive, now its as cheap as chips, and is more cost effective to cut as you want it laid out, rather than arranging lots of little bits on the van/board, Thats just my opinion,
I have owned all the sizes 375, 610, 760, and 1320 x 2, I know have a 1300 mimaki printer, but still find some customers want LARGER!
so buy the biggest and bestest you can, taking into account your own best needs.
Peter
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I run 2 Summas, 1 is the D610, which I bought in 1997, and the Summa s-class 120d series, bought only a couple of years ago. Both smashing machines. I can’t comment on the other makes as I’ve never used them. I haven’t heard anything bad said about any of the makes refered to here
Though. As peter said it doesn’t matter how big the kit is as someone always wants something bigger. I’ve found in this game it’s always better to have the right kit. Think ahead to bigger things and don’t restrict your own abilities through investing in the wrong machines.Karl.
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There aren’t many businesses you can get into where the tools for the job are as relatively cheap as vinyl cutters are for signmakers.
If you buy a 610mm machine for say, £2000, and need a bigger one a couple of years later, you can sell the 610mm for around £1000. In other word it will have cost you around £10 per week ownership. This is peanuts compared to the income it will generate.
As a result of this I figure that you buy the largest machine you can support in the space you have for the work you have got. Cost is actually a secondary consideration as most cutters are cheap enough to finance on a 0% credit card!
It also says to me that buying a cheapy, unknown machine, with dubious support off Ebay is dumb. This is also born out by the number of people seeking help for these machines on the forums.
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quote Peter Shaw:There aren’t many businesses you can get into where the tools for the job are as relatively cheap as vinyl cutters are for signmakers.
Unfortunately true. 🙁
quote Peter Shaw:If you buy a 610mm machine for say, £2000, and need a bigger one a couple of years later, you can sell the 610mm for around £1000. In other word it will have cost you around £10 per week ownership. This is peanuts compared to the income it will generate.As a result of this I figure that you buy the largest machine you can support in the space you have for the work you have got. Cost is actually a secondary consideration as most cutters are cheap enough to finance on a 0% credit card!
It also says to me that buying a cheapy, unknown machine, with dubious support off Ebay is dumb. This is also born out by the number of people seeking help for these machines on the forums.
Words of wisdom. Listen and take heed.
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i am buying of a reputable company the only 2 i’ve considered is the Graphtec and the summa – Graphtec being my preferred at this point!!
I wouldnt even consider buying a cheapy off ebay even if it was for craft work at home.
I always like to buy new so in this case i am only looking at new.So many people have different views – thats life!!
What i need to consider also is do i want to be fighting with a piece of 4ft media when I’m just starting out!!!
I do have access to a bigger plotter as and when required but theres nothing like owning your own.
My point is if i am geting the call for it in say 6 or 12 months time maybe thats the time to px or maybe buy an additional plotter.
Can i do 90% of work on the 610?
Apart from windows where im sure a bit of thought in the design can make it workable!! -
ive used both, my summa is in a cupboard! needs an engineer (can anyone recommend someone) but i have the graphtec ce1000-60 which has been used for years, i would like a new plotter but this machine is so well made that ive had no problems with, i almost wish there was so it would be an excuse to replace it with a brand new one.
i guess ill have to be pateint…or drop it accidentilly on purpose
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I think an important feature you need to look at, I dont think anyone has mentioned(only brushed through the posts) You may want to buy one with an optical "eye". This is for detecting registration marks on digital prints. This means you can get a digital print from another sign company then contour cut around the images automatically. Or instead of upgrading to a print and cut machine, you can just buy a digital printer, then use the cutter to contour cut around the prints.usually a few hundred extra when bought new. Worth mentioning to the rep.
I have a Summa T60 and Graphtec CE1000. Summas broke once Graphtec will not break. I like new toys and Im always looking for an excuse to buy one. But they wont break. Most work is done on the 610 wide cutter. -
We bought a summa about 6 months ago it really is a fantastic cutter. our main reason was it can track over long distances with ease. we often cut 7 to 10 meters with no problem.
cheers mike -
I have a Roland 610, and in 3 years can count on one hand when I could have done with a bigger plotter.
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Hi all
got my plotter about 2 week ago now!
got the Graphtec CE5000-60 and I’m running it with Sign-lab.
done the deal with Signmaster also bought myself a heat press too!!
been playing around over the past two weeks and im happy
Got five jobs lined up for next week!!
Plus my own van to do 😳
Cheers
Ade
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