Purchase of a new printer

[Explode Media]

Hi everyone ! i'm new to this !
What would sujest me for my first printer cutter ?

I will use it for:
-Wraps
-wall decals
-small signs (coroplasm)
-stickers
-canvas

I'm a freelance so my budget would be limited.

Would like to spend a low as possible. Would prefer staying under 10K And i'm really not ready to spend over 15K

if anyone can help me choosing a good printer and explain me why this model instead of an other, i would really appreciate.

thanks !

 

[lgroth]

Roland does print and cut eliminating the need for a plotter, for starting out that's handy. Their SP series new is about 12 grand for a 30" and about 16 grand for a 54", but you can probably locate a decent used SC or SX 54" for around ten grand. You will need a laminator as wide or wider than the printer. Watch your pennies and you could do a setup for around the 15 grand mark with new (30") or used you could probably go to a 54". I've been using Rolands for over 11 years, they are work horses, take care of them and they'll make you money, plus much of it is easy to service yourself. Our Pro-II has over 12,000 hours of print time on it and is still going strong

 

[BigfishDM]

With that budget you should get a used HP-L25500 and a small cutter.

 

[TXFB.INS]

With that budget you should get a used HP-L25500 and a small cutter.

don't forget a laminator to apply film to the wrap jobs

 

[Gino]

With that budget, you should outsource everything, cause you'll only get someone else's headaches at those prices..... then you'll really be up that famous creek without a paddle.

Be honest with yourself...... $15,000 max is not nearly enough to do it professionally. If you want to wrap a garden tractor, perhaps you could do it, but otherwise, you're not ready.

 

[reQ]

If u buy used machine, make sure you don't buy junk, because you will end up without the printer and without money.

P.S. like the coroplasm part ^^

 

[SignProPlus-Chip]

Gino, that statement is total and utter B U L L S H I T.

You don't have to spend thousands and thousands to start a sign company...if your smart, you can do it on a pretty tiny budget.

In our current arsenal of equipment we have:

HP Latex 26500
Graphtec FC 7000
Graphtec FC 4100
Ledco Laminator 60"
Ledco Laminator 50"

...and that is only of vinyl/printing stuff. We paid WAAAAY less than 15k for all of it, and it all works perfectly, no headaches, no issues just equipment that has already paid for itself dozens of times over, because we we extraordinarily smart with our purchases.

If you look around you can find GREAT deals on equipment. Be smart, look online, previous owned printers with guarantees or support are not that uncommon. Many people upgrade not because a printer is old, but because they require something larger, or faster. Our HP had almost nothing printing on it when we purchased it and it was one of two or three the person was selling at the time. We got a close to brand new latex printer and about 2k worth of supplies for about a third the price of a brand new unit.

One of our laminators came courtesy of a government auction for only about $150...OMG I couldn't possibly professionally laminate anything on that!

We have NEVER paid full price for anything, we look, we wait, we buy when we find a good deal.

Weighing a persons ability to operate professionally by how much they spend on equipment is disingenuous.

15K is more than enough to get started, just shop smart.

With that budget, you should outsource everything, cause you'll only get someone else's headaches at those prices..... then you'll really be up that famous creek without a paddle.

Be honest with yourself...... $15,000 max is not nearly enough to do it professionally. If you want to wrap a garden tractor, perhaps you could do it, but otherwise, you're not ready.

 

[Gino]

Gino, that statement is total and utter B U L L S H I T.

You don't have to spend thousands and thousands to start a sign company...if your smart, you can do it on a pretty tiny budget.

In our current arsenal of equipment we have:

HP Latex 26500
Graphtec FC 7000
Graphtec FC 4100
Ledco Laminator 60"
Ledco Laminator 50"

...and that is only of vinyl/printing stuff. We paid WAAAAY less than 15k for all of it, and it all works perfectly, no headaches, no issues just equipment that has already paid for itself dozens of times over, because we we extraordinarily smart with our purchases.

If you look around you can find GREAT deals on equipment. Be smart, look online, previous owned printers with guarantees or support are not that uncommon. Many people upgrade not because a printer is old, but because they require something larger, or faster. Our HP had almost nothing printing on it when we purchased it and it was one of two or three the person was selling at the time. We got a close to brand new latex printer and about 2k worth of supplies for about a third the price of a brand new unit.

One of our laminators came courtesy of a government auction for only about $150...OMG I couldn't possibly professionally laminate anything on that!

We have NEVER paid full price for anything, we look, we wait, we buy when we find a good deal.

Weighing a persons ability to operate professionally by how much they spend on equipment is disingenuous.

15K is more than enough to get started, just shop smart.

Call it as you see it, but I don't understand the hostilty in your tone ?? To me, I was being honest, while you give really good hope are not sounding realistic. I wouldn't call your antics BS, but it certainly isn't the norm. I'm glad you shared your good fortune, but if everyone used your style, they'd all be waiting in line a long time for their good deals, huh ?? They just aren't as plentiful as you think. Sorry, but while I also am on the side looking for good deals, I tend to have the luxury of being able to watch for the deals. So, while he is waiting, shouldn't he be subbing out until, instead of just being on the lookout of the deal of the decade ??

 

[jaylem]

what about this that and the other

The printer, plotter, and laminator might be the big ticket items but there is still a lot of other essentials and can quickly eat into your budget. Have your thought about air quality? Some sales people will tell you "no need for ventilation" but after running a solvent based machine you will probably find you a need for air purification or ventilation. Think twice about running this type of equipment out of your house. Speaking of facilities, have you researched how important the environment can be? These machines require 24/7 - 365 at a constant temperature. The environment is also best to be kept as sterile as possible. Dust dirt and even lint off your clothes can cause failures. Wide format space requirements; between a table, laminator, cutter, and printer you can use up at least 250-300 sq ft., and that's a tight layout.

as for used vs new equipment. it's a risk/reward ratio. lots of risk involved in buying used stuff but you might be able to save a lot of money. I think I've heard a lot more horror stories about used equipment while almost never hearing how happy people have been with a used purchase. You can minimize the risk by finding a good sign supplier that refurbishes equipment.

When you do make the plunge it's going to be an exciting time for you.

Best Wishes,
JayLem

 

[GAC05]

I think jaylem has this covered.
One thing to add is with new equipment when you run into trouble you can look at user error first and equipment failure second.
With used gear and being new to the whole wide format scene it will be a toss up as to what is causing the issue.
It can get really expensive at the start.
New gear can fail right out of the box but it is less likely and normally you will get a good deal more support from your dealer (after paying them the big bucks).
Good luck with it.

wayne k
guam usa

 

[Dennis422]

Used HP Latex L25500 around $5K (You will need 220 power)
Brand new Graphtec FC 8600-130 could be bought for about $5.5K
Brand new US Tech laminator can be bought for $2.5K

All together, that is about $13K. If you can get $15K budget, there is room to get L26500 instead of L25500 model.

No issues with solvent fumes. No waiting for prints to outgas. More scratch resistant than solvent without lamination.

It can be done. Do you want to do it this way, it is up to you.

 

[HIGHSPEEDGRAPHIX]

Dont mind Gino, you can get equipment for under 15k, just keep in mind printhead will need to be replaced on a used at some point. Is that budget tight yest, is it new, no, will it make money......YES!

Mutoh 1204 Value Jet with flexi rip Used $7000-8000
Graphtech FC7000 Series Plotter Used $2000-2500
Best DGI USTECH Laminator new $3000
Corel Draw 7 $500
Cutmaster Graphtech Plugin - FREE


That leave room for some tool and media and ink to get started.

 

[HulkSmash]

Good Grief.

You guys are ragging on Gino? What he said is 100% SPOT ON.
You will not get the right equipment for under 10k. Or 15k.

If you can't afford equipment outsource it. That's a great idea, until you can afford it.
After the 10k is gone, you need inventory. A wrap kit is $1200 for most people. Or you want to buy 10 colors of vinyl? Another 1300. Ink for your printer? another 800-1500 for a full set. After that you will need large cutting tables, tools, & a warranty to fix your 2nd hand machines. Then software. A RIP is 3k-5k Design software is another 3000...

You guys are going to send a new business right into the ground with this awful advice.