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OK, thinking of getting a vinyl printer – HELP !!!
Have been thinking a lot recently about getting into vinyl printing rather than just cutting as it’ll allow me to expand what I’m doing.
So…. looking at cheap(er) eco-sol printers as I dont really want to have to go for the full solvent setup due to where the machine will be used.
What would people reccomend ? have been thinking of one of the entry level Roland machines.
Have had a PC600 before, and looked at the Edge, but think a liquid ink printer would suit me better.
Other thing I thought of was maybe going for something like the Epson and printing onto coated vinyl ? The prints are going to have to be laminated in some way for longevity anyway, so would this be a good cheaper way of doing it, or is it a non starter ?
Also, if I were to go for a Roland, would be looking for maybe an ex-demo or ex-lease machine to save a bit of money, anyone know who would be the best people to contact for these.
Interested to hear what others are using (mod-edit)
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9 Replies
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i thin most suppliers may have exdemo or used machines. i know printmax do this on the edge and the like but not the versacamm.
that said i am sure roland now deal direct, maybe an idea to give them a call. -
Thanks Rob, will give them a shout.
Another option I thought may be a possibility would be leasing a machine ? anyone on here do that ?
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Hiya Mike,
Stay away from the Roland PC thermal printers. They’re not very reliable and your cost of printing is very high when compared to Gerber or Matan printers.
Inkjet is great, but the initial investment is normally higher than thermal if you want to do it right. Not only do you need a printer, you should also invest in a laminator, rip software and a new computer to run the software and printer.
If leasing is an option for you, get something new. It will be less headaches for you in the long run.
Also check out this link…
https://www.uksignboards.com/viewtopic.p … 01cc886216Checkers
a.k.a. Brian Born
Harrisburg, PA USA -
Thanks Brian, had pretty much decided against any thermal printers as the PC600 I had before was OK for small stickers, but wasnt so good on larger ones.
Am leaning towards getting a Cadet – most of the places I’ve seen selling them include rip software, and I’ve got a decent laptop spare I could run it from.
Not sure about getting a laminator as well, was thinking of using liquid laminate as have read some good reports on this, and it seems less fiddly ?
Also, anyone using the Uniform Cadet ? I assume this is pretty much the same as the Roland ?
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The Cadet is the Versacamm converted to solvent inks so you’ll want to stay clear of it if you don’t want a full solvent machine, although uniform do have their citrisol inks.
I’ve had a mess with a versacamm print done with Roland’s Max inks and it was very good, it did rub off a little easier but only a little, solvent inks rub off as well. I did some no smoking stickers for a bar and where people rubbed against them the print went completely, this was on uniforms own media as well.
Standard thinners rubs both solvent and Max inks off so vehicles need laminating what ever ink used.Given the choice again I would get a versacamm, I have the Cadet and it prints very well but there are issues with the heads deteriorating faster than with Max inks.
Also don’t be fooled into thinking that the Eco sol inks are safer for you, they can be worse if used in a small unventilated room.Steve
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Thanks for that Stephen, with the ventilation, the room wont be fully ventilated initially ( apart from open windows, fan etc… ) but I would probably get an extraction system sorted out at some point.
I had considered the rubbing off thing after reading reports on here before, so was planning on using some sort of lamination to protect them – most of the work I do is custom vehicle graphics, so it wouldnt be getting as hard a life as a commerical vehicle, but I’d still prefer to produce something I know is going to last a decent time without fading or the print rubbing away.
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Other reason I was more drawn towards the Ecosol system was that I had read that with the full solvent inks the printer needs to be left on all the time, and that they were more prone to blockages etc…
Anyone know if this is that case that with the Ecosol you can turn the machine off and not use it for a couple of days without causing problems ?
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I think you’ll find people on here that leave their ecosol machines for weeks at a time.
I can leave mine for around 3 days before getting slight blockages, they clear with a clean cycle though and the weekly maintenance isn’t hard and it makes sure you’re checking the critical parts of the printer.Steve
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I agree with everything here. Dont be too swayed by eco-sol inks. Ive had my cadet running on citrusol inks for 8wks or so. Its a slightly less agressive solvent than the activasol sold by b&p. No problems major so far.
Tho i had a minor block in one of the waste tubes causing the capping station to fill with ink. Now i squirt some flush down both the waste tubes once a fortnight. Just to be sure.
Personally i think the benefits outweigh the problems with a cadet.
You could also run eco inks if need-be?
I have limited space and dont get half as many fumes in comparison with activasol.
Are you in wales? Your welcome to pop round to get a better idea of quality speed etc.
Matt
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