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Digital print Newbie
Hi all, i’m a newbie when it comes down to digital printing, i currently make small vinyl stickers for a few small companies around my area, nothing big, just as a side line job, now i’m looking at getting into digital printing.
not to a major scale as mentioned it isn’t my main job, just wondering how it all works, do i need a special printed to print onto some sort of vinyl which is then stuck on top card or wood etc?
If so what really cheap printer can i get, any size its just for starting out and getting used to the hole concept etc.
Thanks!
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10 Replies
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quote Simon Betty:If so what really cheap printer can i get, any size its just for starting out and getting used to the hole concept etc.Define cheap?
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How about an A4 Epson C79 (less than $100) running Durabrite pigment ink on printable adhesive paper. Cheap enough? 😀
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quote Lee Ballard:quote Simon Betty:If so what really cheap printer can i get, any size its just for starting out and getting used to the hole concept etc.Define cheap?
between 100-200GBP
quote Bill McMurtry:How about an A4 Epson C79 (less than $100) running Durabrite pigment ink on printable adhesive paper. Cheap enough? 😀Had a look, it looks cheap and is cheap i know you get what you pay for but is this a good printer for small-ish graphics? I know Epson is a great brand and stuff. Secondly does it print onto vinyl which then gets stuck onto vehicles etc? Is that how it works?
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Simon, The C79 can print at higher resolutions than you’ll ever need for a sticker and Durabrite inks are water based pigment (good UV performance). You can print onto a coated vinyl such as Orajet and overlaminate with a UV film such a Oraguard 215G.
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Cheers bill, so most stickers and signs i see on vans, say a cartoon man painting for an example, has been printed on paper that you recommended (Orajet) and then cut around and stuck onto the van?
Think i may go for the C79 it’s cheap and sounds perfect for what i need!
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Simon, the Orajet I mentioned is a coated vinyl suitable for water based inks, it’s not a paper. Most printed vehicle graphics are printed with a solvent ink directly on vinyl, as is the case with my JV3. For short runs of small stickers I don’t see why you can’t use a cheap desktop printer running pigment inks – standard dye inks will only last a week or two in the sun. However, when it comes to quantity, size, longevity, conformability, economy, etc., wide format printing is superior. But your primary concern was stated as initial setup cost 😀
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Ok super, next question, is it then a process of manually cutting around the sticker?
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Unless you have a cutter capable of reading printed registration marks, such as a Roland GX-24, then you’ll be doing it the hard way. You can print a thin cutting outline so at least you have a guide to follow if you have to do it by hand.
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Ok mate nice one thanks for all your help much appreciated will look into getting one this week!
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hi i have had a look at the last few posts.
I really think you would be better off outsourcing this work. Digital printing is a messy game and it can bite you quite badly. Plus vehicle graphics is another game which can bite you even worse.
I can see that you are just trying to do small decals but i would strongly suggest that you out source it to a wide format solvent digital printing company that can laminate the prints properly and print onto the right material. Rather make the money on the design and application.
Work a deal out with the company that you bring them the artwork ready to print.
Digital printing can become a very expensive game if you do it incorrectly. Rather make the problem the printing companies.honestly you could regret it in the long run.
Thats just my thoughts though.
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