List of eco solvent printers anything other than roland,mimaki,mutoh?

[Bigdawg]

deleted....

So can anyone tell me if you are going to laminate the wrap anyway why wouldn't a HP 5500 work? Isn't the laminate to help protect the ink from the elements, why wouldn't a normal wide format printer work? Hp's are cheap compared to Roland's.

you have fun with that.... you could always just print plain paper and use really wide tape to put it on...

 

[Rising]

You cant come and ask 'us pro's' advice and guidance then not like the replys when you get a wake up call to whats really needed to get you off the ground. You got what you asked for, honest advice in my opinion.

 

[maynemag]

I appreciate that comment Bigdawg! that is more like the kind of advice I need. You seem to understand where I am going. But the budget is just for the printer itself, I fully understand I will need inks,media,etc also.

 

[Circleville Signs]

I'm out. Free sign business training isn't on my agenda for today.


Gary

 

[J Hill Designs]

...but all I am coming across are the older model machines that I am afraid will be hard to find parts for not to mention none of the computers being made now have a serial or parallel connection which is what most of these printers are connected by....

 

[B Snyder]

I'm curious what you plan to do for designing your wraps.

 

[Mosh]

Go ahead, you buy that HP. You are getting some good advise it is just not what you wanted to hear. $3K is not enough to start a wrap biz, END OF STORY!

 

[Rising]

I'm out. Free sign business training isn't on my agenda for today.


Gary

hahah, like that!

Sorry maynemag, Would you just start fixing cars if you never been taught, same thing in our trade, you need to do more research mate, and get yourself trained poperly.
HP printers dont laminate, but if they did they would be the best printers in the world.

 

[ucmj22]

WOW... people are vicious in here. With a 3k budget I would recomend calling the different companies, roland mutoh.. etc, and having them send you print samples from their machines. decide which one you like, and find a sign shop that has that model. use the 3k to buy a wrap from them, and put it on yourself. now you know what printer you want, and how to apply (in the loosest of terms) a wrap all for the bargain price of 3 grand. But really thats about al you will get until you are ready to drop about 20-30k for a serious startup.

 

[maynemag]

To answer your question Rising I have fixed cars without being taught(by classroom standards). I have taught myself how to do everything and that is by research. what is the use of taking a class on wrapping if I can't go back to my place of business and put to use what I have been taught? I have a very sucessful embroidery business currently and I learned how to use the equipment simply by reading embroidery forums and trial and error. I think we were all once at a point were we didn't have a clue on what to do in any field of business. Everyone learns differently I am hands on. I respect all of your replies and will take heed to the new knowledge. Thanks everyone. But my original question was never answered everyone just looked at the budget......So do any other manufacturers make a printer that can run eco solvent??????????

 

[Mosh]

NO!

 

[Rising]

maynemag. hahah funny as! I used cars as an example mate. I could of said any trade. Buut the point is me ald bud, is its hard to get going on a shoestring budget, if you are in embroidery then you may have a little toe towards the sign and graphics way. Invest in proper euipment and look the part, produce the part.

I thi nk where the harsh comebacks have been here, is your use of the term 'wraps' as its sooo specialist, if you said some printed graphics, heading towards wanting to do signs, things may of been different.

Good luck with you thrifty purchase.

Steve

 

[ucmj22]

one thought if you have found an old printer in your range that you think might work, but have an issue with serial ports, you can find cables that are serial on one end and USB on the other for just this type of issue. I am in the process of looking for a new printer as well, I just haven't been looking for anything starting under 15k, So I wont be much help. And I am sure none of the posters in here have been looking for something in that range either so if you have been looking and have found things, more power to you. Your question probably should have been, Does anyone have an old printer lying around that can do wraps for about 3k that they would be willing to sell. But you should understand that if someone is going to pay you to wrap a vehicle, they are going to want it to look good. maybe an option for you would be to spend 500 on a roll of 3M wrap material, and just wrap the white hell out anyones vehicle who would let you, until you feel comfortable.

 

[akuarela]

He (or she) who seeks shall find. Keep looking and good luck. But, also, buyer beware, make sure you can check out the machine before buying.HP 5000 is a great machine but definitely not for wraps, just inside stuff and very limited outside even if you laminated. Needs medias that are different that what you would use for wraps.There are wholesale suppliers that will sell you the print and laminated print for a wrap, if you really want to try that in the meantime. Of course you'd have to send them a file. You can start trying out on flat surfaces.I agree that you do need a solvent or eco-solvent printer, plus the laminator, preferably a heavy duty one, and the software.

 

[acothran]

As others have said, $3K isn't going to get you very far. Installing non-laminated vinyl isn't an option. Try it (as I did just to see) on a box truck, leave it for 24 hours, then try to remove......one tiny piece at a time. We started doing wraps with a Seiko Colorpainter 64S and a RS laminator. Pick up a used 64S for $5-$6K and get a used laminator for $3K and your on your way. With $3K, it's going to take approx. 1/3 of your budget just to order your first roll of cast vinyl/lam.

Seriously, for your $3K budget, I would recommend outsourcing (Merritt is around $3.75 a sq/ft). That budget will get you about 800 sq/ft, enough to practice and complete a couple of box trucks. After that, you'll have a pretty good idea if you really want to offer this service and invest the money the equipment it take.

Good luck.

Allen

 

[gnatt66]

there is no unicorn....solvent printers are a lot of money. if your business is solid, it can easily afford the 20 grand it takes to dabble....:Welcome:

 

[Mosh]

They are thinking to themselves right now "I'LL SHOW THEM!".
Please let us know how far $3K goes. Good luck.
My advise, stick to sewing letters on shirts. HHHMMM we don't do embroidery...yet!!!!

 

[kev3232]

you can probably find a used edge for about 3 grand. prob is, the seams every 12 inches kinda look like ass.

 

[onesource]

Sub your prints out to a company who does volume, schedule properly, save your money and when you think you have enough demand then get a printer. This is the best method for your budget.

 

[Mosh]

You could make $20K in six months easy subbing out the printing. Especially living in your Mom's basement, BTW how will you get vehicles down there to wrap on them?