That was a pretty entertaining read.
I should also update what happened with that endeavor:
- With assistance from a vendor (Sign Outlet Store), chose to go with a Roland TruVis 54" whatever the model was at the time, a Vanguard UV flatbed printed, and a GFP laminator.
- Learned to operate it all with training from the vendor, and then train my eventual replacement(s)
- From what I understand, the equipment is still running at the shop. I don't think they used the laminator for anything other than premasking because they were too cheap to actually laminate any of their prints.
So, ya see? I knew something! I wasn't the big fat dope that some of the commenters made me out to be. Fat, yes. But a dope? Not always!