Newbie

[gracotool]

Hello everyone. I am new to the site. I am looking to open up a new business doing moto graphics and vinyl signs. I want to start out simple but dont want to buy equipment and then in 6 months have to sell it to upgrade.
What do you think about the Versacamm series. Can I do all the basics with one of these machines? Any info will help.

 

[zmatalucci]

yes the versacamm is great. what is your experience in this industry so far?

 

[gracotool]

None I have been researching this stuff for about 6 months. I am not going to quit my job just yet just want to make some extra money. Want to do some simple car signs and some moto graphx. Any suggestions on whether I should buy from an individual or a dealer?

 

[Mosh]

•Versacamm
•Laminator
•Software
•Materials
•Computer
•Place to do said work
•Insurance
•Commercial phone/internet
•Tax forms
•Permits (state and local to do business)
•Advertising
•Commercial rates on utilities (heat, electricity, cooling)
•Chamber of Commerce dues

A little more than buying a printer and being in the sign making biz. $20-$30k minimum is what you will need. Get a job at a sign shop and see if you like it first.
To do it "for real" you might be suprised that it calls for more like $100-$150k.

Not saying you can't have a great business without all of that, but 99% of great sign shops have all out that.

DO NOT get a 30" machine, go bigger. YOU NEED a laminator, I do not care what people will tell you.
Get a job at sign shop first, you might hate what you are getting into. Trust me you are going to need $50,000 to do this right, or you are going to be selling a printer in 2 months. (just like the 100 last people I have copied and pasted this message to)

 

[ProWraps]

if you want to do moto graphics, then flame on this site is the one to talk to. he can fill you in on the ins and outs of what you are looking at.

 

[Malkin]

Want to do some simple car signs and some moto graphx. Any suggestions on whether I should buy from an individual or a dealer?

"simple care signs" & "moto(cross?) graphx) are 2 very different animals. Motocross graphics is really a specialized subset.

For simpler work you can get by with a vinyl plotter. More complex stuff will require a printer, like a versacamm or similar. The usual advice is to pick up a used plotter and gain experience with that before jumping in with a $20K printer. Any print work could be subbed out anyway.

I would always buy from a dealer, there is more accountability.

 

[Techman]

cut vinyl as a going concern is on its death bed..

 

[Mosh]

cut vinyl as a going concern is on its death bed..

I call "shinanigangs" vinyl cutting is booming or Wal-Mart would not be selling cri-cuts ....
"shinanigangs"

 

[signage]

If you think you will get an inkjet and use it occasionally you are make your first mistake, these machines need to have ink moving through them or the will dry up and not be worth anything! Do you have any experience with the design software that will be needed to do this?

 

[Jim Doggett]

cut vinyl as a going concern is on its death bed..

I equate the eminent death of vinyl-cutting with that of Hyman Roth in the Godfather Part II: it's been dying of the same heart attack for decades.

I remember talking about it more than 10 years ago when I was with Summa; we were thinking maybe 2 or 3 years it would go away, except for some replacment and hobbyist buying.

Yet, not even counting the hobby cutters, they're probably outselling printers 10:1. It's truly amazing how popular vinyl cutters are, even today.

 

[jiarby]

good analogy Jim!