New to signage

[viclpp]

Hi everyone,

We are in the market of looking for a flatbed or a hybrid and was curious if anyone know of what type of test files are good to send to see the work the machines can do.
We are a quality offset shop trying to get into signage right now and want to make sure we buy the right equipment that fits our needs which would be quality and speed but I wouldn't know our amount of work until we actually start on production.

Let me know.
Thanks!

 

[Gino]

Since you don't have a clue about software, ripping or even who your target audience is, let alone if you have any possible customers, why don't you find a few shops having those machines and farm out to them ?? See how well they do and ask them what they are using. After you get 6 months to a year under your belt, then you could make a better educated decision of what your REAL needs are and that will determine what machines to begin looking at. Having an open/aimless question probably won't get ya anything other than a bunch of emotional attachments to the machines someone already owns.

You're looking at buying a nice piece of equipment. Do your homework and do it well.

 

[2B]

If you have zero demand for the equipment then your best bet is outsource until you have enough of a demand to purchase the equipment.
There are plenty of Merchant Members here that do great work and usually about the same if not cheaper than you could in house


Regarding file types, we always use a 12" x 12" solid fill CMYK and then some of the tough colors to hit (red, orange, greys, gradients, etc...)
you can also use very complex & detailed designs to see the accuracy but to get a true understanding of the capabilities then you need to use a solid fill color.