which printer

[Michael Potter]

Hi Richard
I hope you get an answer as we have all these quotes on our table for the same printers, and have no idea what to do.
Cheers Mike

[Jason Xuereb]

Once you start printing a lot the speed does make a difference. Although by that stage if your printing that much you might want a 54" wide model.

We’ve had our printer since Feb and so far haven’t had enough work to warrant a faster printer.

Get a take up roller though it says you a lot of head aches.

[Roy Roberts]

Hi Richard,

I bought the sp300 approx a month ago now and the novelty side still has yet to wear off.

I bought the 300 due to space and as yet no complaints, have just finished my first 50m roll of vinyl through it (unfortunately not all work) but quite a bit, Labels, pics for signs etc.

Still have a lot to learn about the machine but its nice when you can leave it for a couple of days until a job comes in and away it goes.
(hope I’m not speaking to soon).

Bought mine through Nigel Pugh Grafityp had a good deal and so far very good telephone backup from engineer’s.

(mind you I could have sworn he said he would put me on their wrapping course in the deal, but the call was not recorded). :lol1: :lol1: :lol1:
Apparently he said the printer comes in its own wrapping of course. 😉

Compared to the rockhopper 38 I had (which was a good learning curve)
there is no comparison.

Regards

Roy.

[Gary Birch]

Hi Richard
We have the Versacamm SP 540. We had actually ordered the 300 but I woke up in the middle of the following night (god i must have been dreaming about it lol) and then laid awake thinking about it. Instead of a lease purchase agreement for the small machine over 3 years we went for the bigger machine over 5 years ( I wish now I had still gone for the 3 year option).

A lot of the work which goes through it would not have been possible on the smaller machine. As has been said before on previous topics, once people know what you can do you get far more work which you weren`t even asked about when we didn`t have the printer.

I too was very impressed with the service we had from Grafityp and would recommend them to anyone.

I hope this helps you make your decision.

Cheers

Gary

[Adam Triggs]

Hi Rich,

I bought a Mimaki JV3 130 a year ago at Digital print world. They were very keen to sell at the show and offered 3years on site next day FOC. All other vendors including Roland couldn’t touch the pricing.

Overall I’m really happy with the printer and it is quite happy having 50m of media put through it in a day and another overnight. It prefers daily usage and with the daily 5min cleaning I’ve never had a problem.

I found the separate printer and cutter gave advantages of being able to cut vinyl at the same time I’m printing Banners or roll ups. The show is on for three days starting today (16th) at Earls court. Not too far from Croyden. I’m there tomorrow.

Just another view.

Cheers
Adam

[Nigel Pugh]

Thanks for the kind words Roy, good news on the wrapping course, pop round ours on Dec 24th, plenty of wrapping to be done then 😛

Rich I would say nothing on the market at present can touch the 30" VersaCamm, as for the 54" then the ValueJet may prove to be good competition in the coming 12 to 18 months.

JV3 is a very good printer too, but the bundle prices for the printer and cutter then include a RIP can easily put the cost above the 54" VersaCamm.

I would say either of the three printers mentioned would serve you well, but I will still say that the VersaCamm is the best buy still……for now.

Regards
Nigel

[John Wilson]

quote Richard Urquhart:

the old Roland sp300 good value for money

Does anyone know the cheapest company at the moment for the sp300

[Richard Urquhart]

thanks for the advice
I have got a great price for a new sp300v
so happy November the 6th

thanks rich

[FireBlade_Al]

Richard,

Did you look in the UKSB shop? Third item down

Alan

[John Wilson]

I’ve been offered a new SP300 for £6.5k +vat or a second hand SP300 with 6 months warranty for £4.5k + vat

Not sure what option to go for 🙄

[Peter Shaw]

I’d be tempted by the second-hand machine as long as it comes from a reputable source that can maintain it.

Roland machines are very reliable and you’ve got 6 months to find anything major. Even if it went wrong in month 7, you’ve got a couple of grand in hand and that buys a lot of repairs.

Peter

[Richard Urquhart]

i have placed an order for a brand new one at a little less than that john
silver cover and 220m inks
this includes installation and one days training
Rich

[Roy Roberts]

Hi John,

How old is the second hand machine and what work has it done.

At the end of the day its your choice i.e. budget etc.

I read the boards before I made my decision to buy new, but the main reason was after buying the rockhopper second hand I wanted warranty and a reliable source for minor hiccups i.e. telephone help and advice.

Regards

Roy.

[Jon Marshall]

You’ll need a laminator aswell of course……

[Peter Normington]

quote jonm01:

You’ll need a laminator aswell of course……

Not essential though

Peter

[Jason Xuereb]

We didnt have a laminator for upto 7 months after we got our printer.

We were liquid laminating factory signs etc. I think once you get into car wraps you need the laminator or you must laminate.

[Peter Shaw]

There is nothing to stop you laminating by hand particularly while you are on the learning curve for the printer.

Peter

[David Glen]

quote John Wilson:

I’ve been offered a new SP300 for £6.5k +vat or a second hand SP300 with 6 months warranty for £4.5k + vat

Not sure what option to go for 🙄

It’s not this one is it? 😕 I guess not but just shows what can happen.

http://www.uksignboards.com/viewtopic.php?p=237690

Sorry forgot the link… 😕

[John Wilson]

quote David Glen:

quote John Wilson:

I’ve been offered a new SP300 for £6.5k +vat or a second hand SP300 with 6 months warranty for £4.5k + vat

Not sure what option to go for 🙄

It’s not this one is it? 😕 I guess not but just shows what can happen.

What one? 😮

[John Cooper]

Hi guys

So what is the best deal on the SP300?

John

[Richard Urquhart]

not sure i can post up on here what deal i got

[Phil Barnfield]

I’d be interested to hear mate if your allowed…… 🙄

Im also on the hunt for something print and cut wise, or even a bargain deal on print and seperate cutter combo. Ideally want to go second hand, struggling to work out funding as it is, but I know it will pay dividends in the end (or rather I hope so).

Spoke to Grafityp and Flynn Signs so far. Both very helpfull and offering good deals…. just got to get my head around it all as I am not sure what to go for – plan to do small print and cut jobs (stickers), print for vehicle application, banners, possible print to boarding, and then eventually wrapping once my skills improve.

Any other advice to add??

Also how easy is it to laminate by hand?

[John Cooper]

Is there some sort of ‘gagging order’ on this forum? Surely not!

A forum is for the exchange of information that helps/assists others.

[Brian Hays]

quote John Cooper:

Is there some sort of ‘gagging order’ on this forum? Surely not!

A forum is for the exchange of information that helps/assists others.

I think you will find Roland do not like their distributors to discount their machines. The SP300 is a cracking deal already @ £6495.

If Richard has managed to leaver a bit extra then well done to him. I would advise you try the same if you are interested.

No need for Richard to do the haggling for you. And haggling is all part of the fun anyway. 😀

[John Cooper]

Are you suggesting Roland and it’s suppliers are ‘price fixing’?

I thought that was illegal. 😀

I don’t mind haggling at all, as you say, it can be fun. Being new in the marketplace though, it’s good to know where to start. Maybe The Office of Fair Trading 😀

JOKING!!!

[Brian Hays]

Just my opinion. If you are really interested give me a call & I will explain. Sufficed to say it’s up to Roland who they chose to sell there machines & they do not need a reason to stop supplying somebody with them. Look through the magazines, I don’t think you will see one advertised below the RRP. And I know the 1st "R" stands for recommended!

Also the margins on the machines are much tighter than they were a few years ago, so wherever you go I doubt there will be much room for movement.

Price fixing goes on in many industries it’s a fact. I bought Mini Cooper S a couple of years back, went to see many dealers & couldn’t negotiate a penny off with any of them. Last year when I bought a new L200 I went to 4 nearby dealers, again none would offer a penny off. Eventually managed to get a small discount from a place in Telford, that was well over 100 miles away.

[Ian Johnston]

quote Brian Hays – Impact:

Price fixing goes on in many industries it’s a fact. I bought Mini Cooper S a couple of years back, went to see many dealers & couldn’t negotiate a penny off with any of them. Last year when I bought a new L200 I went to 4 nearby dealers, again none would offer a penny off. Eventually managed to get a small discount from a place in Telford, that was well over 100 miles away.

bit off topic but similar,
i was buying a VW Touareg last year, everyone over here was around the same price, decided i would try England to see how i would get on, SAVED wait for it £9500.00 on exactly the same car!!!
haggling is always good fun, just don’t think the English sales man expected to have to move so much to a tight arsed person like me :lol1:

[alan flynn]

illegal = a sick bird
roland price fix = dealers who are yes men
as brain said the margins are dropping as a reseller and also as a signmaker,
so for me, found the golden egg, off to sell the big issue then nice night in, in my big cardboard printer box mansion,
night all