600dpi or 1200dpi

Anything intended to be viewed from further than arm's length is fine at the lower resolution. Items like labels, hardhat decals etc. that contain fine detail or small text will benefit from the higher rez.

Before you discount the need for labels and small decals, however, consider that there is a steady need for these kinds of products and that this is where the ColorCamm really is at its best. I don't know the price difference but would expect that you would recover it in a very short amount of time with the increased capability of the higher resolution model.

 

I'll say it anyhow. You haven't read enough or you wouldn't even be considering one. Save up for a used Edge instead.

 

Bill is exactly right. Trust me 4 years having owned and used both machines the edge is far superior even for small decals you want to do.

 

For the cost of an edge, you may want to start considering some of the newer large format inkjet printers. Versacamm, Mamiki, etc.

 

The dpi between the 2 machines sounds like a lot but if you look at a duplicate print from both machine you will have a hard time seeing any substantial difference in detail. I've had one in each hand and was quite surprised. Almost null.

The pc600 is faster and also has a ribbon saver feature.

If your work calls for color fades in the lettering you will have to lower your LPI substantially to eliminate banding in the gradient so dpi doesn't really matter.

Don't get fooled by it's 24in. print capability. These 2 machines are best for small short-run contour cut decals.
I produced some outstanding prints from my pc60 when I had it but also experienced the typical problems most have heard about.

 

Has anyone considered doing a "Cost/Benefit" analysis between the two Colorcamms and Edge?

 

The machines are not made for the same type of use.

 

Are the PNC-60 and the PNC-600 designed for the same use? If so, has anyone done a "Cost/Benefit" analysis?

What I would want to know before putting any money down is how long it will take to recover the investment.

 

After having dealt with a PC600 for several years, it can reward you with some pretty good prints, but the machine is picky. For what you are doing though, everything else is pretty much overkill.

On a side note, we ran ZeroNine ribbons on our machine with only one ribbon break in over two years. You might want to check into them once you get your machine.