Print and cut

Cutters are cheap compared to printers. You can get a new 24" Graphtec for a tad over a grand. I don't know how much work you will do with it, so that's a decision you will have to make.
I can't imagine having a printer without a cutter.

 

Printing on your flat bed and cutting on a cutter will work but the workflow is going to be clunky. If you only do small stuff I would look for a used 30" printer/cutter for cheap and it will be much faster and efficient.

 

Is this an area you plan to grow? If so, it could be worth it to buy a bigger print and cut system like a 54" or a 60". That way you don't have to worry about buying again when you start taking on larger orders. Just depends on what kind of future growth you see in for your market.

 

You would get a good plotter relatively cheap now, instead of paying someone else to do it and them making money from your jobs, invest in one and make more money yourself from a small investment, a couple of jobs here and there and it will pay for itself in no time

 

I know lotsa people with 48" cutters. They have limited themselves to of anything of size. How many 4' banners, prints or graphics will you get..... then need a 54" cutter ?? Either do it right or save up until you can. Going off halfa$$ed will only limit you down the road. The 24" is silly.

 

Ive only ever used the 8600 series but from what I can tell the 8600 has a force of up to 600g the 6000 only has a force of 450g. The 8600 cuts faster and can handle thicker and more heavy duty materials and itself is made a little more heavy duty than the 6000. Also the 8600 has a larger size available(64inch).

 

I highly recommend a print and cut. It's quite a hassle to go from one to another. If it's not laminated, it finishes it 100% when it's done. Everybody has their preferences, but I love Roland. It's a little slower than some, but great quality and they are workhorses with a high resale value.

 

Nothing printed goes outta my shop without laminate on it.

Never really found it to be a hassle either, just part of the process.

 

The only reason I mentioned the 24" was because you said you have never done anything over 15", and that you didn't do much anyways.

 

Most of my stuff is laminated too, but when someone wants a bumper sticker or yard signs don't need it because the vinyl and ink will outlast the coroplast anyways. Some people want a temporary patch to put over something, etc.