Buying my first Printer

[sid-fmx]

Hi, Im trying to choose wich printer to buy. This is for a new business that will produced off-road and dirt bike graphics. I am concidering between the SP300, PC600, and the CJ500. I found these three printers used for a decent price. Any advise on wich is better for my application and the pros and cons of each. Thank you for any help.

 

[Amocat1]

Go with the sp300 print/cut option, i read a lot of good things about this machine, i'm looking into buying one myself hopefully the 54" sp540. As for the Pc600 i dont know about the wax ribbons availability/banding issues. If your thermal printing go with the gerber edge, which can be expensive.

 

[customsticker]

SP300, hands down.

Don't waste your time on the others.

 

[Pro Image]

Out of the 3 the sp300 would be the best investment the CamJett is a good printer also for what it was designed for...............Me personally I wouldn't consider the pc-600............

 

[GregT]

I have never regretting getting the SP300v. The print cut option is great. I didn't look at any of the others mentioned. The only problem is I should have gone with the 540 instead.

 

[sid-fmx]

Thank you all for the advise. I have found a sp300 with ColorRip that has just been serviced and in working order for $7000. I noticed that the front says sp300 and not sp300v like the other ones I have seen for some reason. I have been using Vinyl Express Master software for my vinyl cutter. Is there a simular software out there for full color for an easy transition. Thanks again everyone.

 

[Ken]

The difference between sp300 and sp300V is in the RIP software. V stands for Versaworks . The sp300 comes with Colorip ( last version is 2.2)
When they switched over, I heard some grumblings about the V version.
I've been using the sp300 for abour 2 1/2 years now and dont regret choosing that one. You may be looking at need to upgrade firmware, replace the pump and change to Eco-Sol MAX inks. There is a way to determine just how much ink has passed thru the machine giving you some idea of how much expected life is left in the printheads.
Cheers!
Ken

 

[sid-fmx]

What would be a good price for a use but in working order sp300.

 

[Ken]

50 bucks would be good.
I wouldn't part with mine for less than 7K. Not that i want to.
Check the various dealers for used equipment.
I use Corel Draw X3 almost exclusively with this machine then export/import into colorip. Well, OK Photoshop also.
Cheers!
Ken

 

[sid-fmx]

Thanks again for all the advise

 

[WOODBS]

i have the sp 300v, love it. prints good, especially for the bike graphics , good size.