-
Whats your rip and cut software choices and why?
Howdy!
I am hoping in the early part of next year to open up a unit rather than just freelance. Been saving like mad I am trying to compile lists of items that will be needed!
So in you experience what is your choice of rip software/plot software… and why?
It doesn’t matter if its mac/pc compatible (we all know my preference!) as the rip computer will be PC based and networked to a file holding server :thumbup2:
Any information would be appreciated!
-
5 Replies
-
Hi Dan,
For cutting I just adobe illustrator with the graphtec plugin… I don’t know if it’s the best but I’ve always know the Adobe suite really well so it works for me and I would say it’s easy but everyone has different preferences.
Printer rip I use the latest onyx, it’s so easy you question it sometimes but the main reason is that it came with my first printer which was second hand and version 6, when I upgraded to latex and got version 11 (I think) the interface was pretty much exactly the same so navigating it was seamless.
What ever kit your buying, try make visits to whoever will be supplying you as most of them have demo showrooms and you can get a feel for it.
-
Used Roland VersaWorks with our old Roland, which did what it should, had the occasional issue with PDF’s supplied by customers, but was easy to use. We also used illustrator and the cutting master plugin for our Graphtec cutter, it worked.
With the Seiko we switched to SignLab as that’s what was sold with the machine, in some ways it’s better than versaworks (such as if you had 500 A3 prints, you can set a page to contain 25, then print 20 copies) all the imposition is carried out in the rip, and you can print and cut from the one machine, it add’s the registration marks, spacing etc all in the rip. Small things, but saves us imposing up files in illustrator.
We also got the signlab software for creating artwork, vary rarely use it but it can do things such a variable data printing, sequential numbers, and add cut paths to logo’s really quickly, but we still use illustrator for 99.5% of design work.
-
I use Flexi sign with Roland machines. Much more control of the print job with Flexi including profiling etc.
My main reason for swapping from Versaworks to Flexi is that Versaworks doesnt support Opus barcode server which enables me to send print jobs which are automatically cut on my Summa with very little input from the operator, major production boost.
I started with flexi software when I bought my first Summa so it wasnt a major learning curve with the UI although Flexi allows you to change the interface to other software UI’s you may be used to.
Another bonus is that I use the cloud based version which keeps me right up to date and means I’m not tying up money by buying the programme outright.
-
Started with Roland versaworks for RIP. For artwork we use illustrator.
If i could make the choice again I would try our other rips first and see what was to offer. I know that roland have a paid rip which is meant to have a bunch more features but currently we have not moved into that.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
-
Of course I’m biased, but here’s my opinion of the ones I know:
Shiraz – Fast, good quality, Mac or PC, good UK support but no print and cut.
Onyx – Great for flatbed stuff, slower than others but has print and cut.
Caldera – Lightning quick but Linux only I believe.
Rasterlink – Free with Mimaki printers but awful in my opinion. Does have print and cut.
Versaworks – Free with Roland printers but awful in my opinion. Does have print and cut.
Wasatch – Not a fan but not had much exposure to it.
Signlab – Not keen on the print options but does have print and cut.I hope that helps a little.
Stafford
Log in to reply.
