We should all listen to lodcomm as he's clearly got it ALL figured out.
Use budget equipment, steal images from the internet, and use no name vinyl (without laminate!!) and you've got yourself a recipe for success.
Why spend money for proper equipment and the industry standard materials!
Hello Mr White.. Thanks for the compliment! - I accept it with pride, especially when it comes from an industry expert and all. As I have clearly said many times. I am an Amateur. So it is nice when someone of your caliber recognizes me and my efforts.
My response to you is:
I love it when a "New guy" (as evidenced by his post in the "Newbie Section") asks a question say: " how about some suggestions getting started printing motocross graphics.."
Then Here comes 5-6 responses from the Industry experts telling him in no particular order:
1) How dare even think about doing such a this without apprenticing with an old print geezer.. do you think its just a matter of hitting print!!@@#! You better get a clue there son.. This is complicated stuff, you are way out of your league here
2) You need to buy a $15,000 roland printer & $10,000 "Seal (brand) Laminator"…
3) Don't come on here (in this case "newbie section) and ask questions about how to do something inexpensively
[because most of us here have spent thousands on our equipment and we highly resent the fact you would ask us how to do such a thing with inexpensive equipment, when we had to spend thousands.. That is downright insulting!] So instead of answering, we offer sarcastic, inane replies...
4) Minimum cost $25,000…
5) Blind leading the blind..
6) Impossible, blah..blah...
Essentially it can be summed up as: "Don't even bother trying to get into the business there young man, You just leave that stuff to us experts and professionals.."
I was able to accomplish exactly what this guy was asking about with an inexpensive old roland printer (Which by the way - almost surely prints with the exact same resolution, and uses the exact same inks as your $15,000 roland printer (albeit a bit more slowly, but we are talking motorcycle graphics here not exactly "Big Print Jobs".)
so to summarize this whole inane thread:
1) Some new gentleman come here and and asks an honest, simple question for help/direction in getting started printing motorcycle graphics...
2) Most of the responses from the industry "experts" are basically sarcastic (or out right foolish) jabs at the guy like telling him he needs Seal Laminators, and has to spend $25,000 etc..
3) I (and a few others as well) reply to the guy, Try to answer his questions, offer help and suggestion on how I was able to
get started.. Give examples and such.. provide links, photos, etc..
4) The industry "Experts" (such as yourself, in this case) - Proceed to start attacking me. offering glib comments about me "stealing" graphics, crap quality.. etc.
As I suggested in on of the earlier posts.. The OP could get started into the business Handily by Buying a used (or Leasing) an inexpensive Roland BN20, and a Hand Laminator to start. The BN20 Will come with VersaWorks RIP and support from roland as well. Learning the basics Versaworks, Flexi or even Colorchoice is
NOT THAT DIFFICULT, I'm sorry if you maybe had a tough time with it, but the reality is that even a clueless twit like myself was able to have my sc500 up and running in FLEXI - doing basic printing, cutting and print/contouring in a few days. The OP had stated he was already fairly versed in the graphic design side of this so he more than likely familiar with photoshop/xara/illustrator/etc..
Telling the guy that he needs to buy top of the line equipment, stock his "shop" with thousands of $$ equipment, apprentice, grovel, pay homage to you experts, etc.. to "get started" is complete and utter nonsense. Like I posted (and supported by posting links/photos/etc).. I was able to get into the business for far less than $25,000 and there is absolutely no reason in the world this gentleman cannot do the same or most likely better because he appears to have Graphic design talent which I sorely lack. I'm sorry if it is upsetting and outright scary to you that a relative bozo such as myself was able to actually accomplish such a stupendous feat - but I did, and to be perfectly it was not that big of a deal. (I will add that I asked a lot of questions, and had generous folks here and at other forums offer loads of help and advice to me when I was getting started..)
I know you were so busy composing your cleverly worded post, laced with sarcastic wit and such so I forgive you for missing it in two of my earlier posts: So for the 3rd time now:
For the Graphics sets I sell that are intended to be used permanently I use ORAJET 3951 High Tack & StoneGuard Laminate. Is there something about that you do not understand? Can you suggestsomething of better quality I should be using?
I have several MX customers who want temporary graphics sets intended for only a ride or two and for these guys of offer (and charge accordingly) Un-laminated digital solvent prints on budget Vinyl - Thats what they ask for and thats what I give them its not really all that complicated.. Another example: I made & Donated several sets of
one time use Shroud Graphics sets for some friends that rode the Louden NH Cystic Fibrosis Benefit "Turkey Run" (Turkey run = Motorcycle ride through the woods on dirt bikes, like an "enduro" but no points or timekeeping) - They were intended for ONE TIME USE… IE: One Day Event… TEMPORARY, NOT INTENDED FOR PERMANENT USE. I made these out of Budget no-name Vinyl and did not use any laminate.. to have done so would have been silly and accomplished nothing. If you want to use top of the line Vinyl & Waste laminate for Temporary use decals, you go right ahead and do so - I submit you are foolish if you do.
*hugs & Kisses*
-t