PrismJet VS. ValueJet & what did you pay?

[kstompaint]

I've got my shopping narrowed down to a Mutoh, but can't decide which one. I'm looking to get a 64" print/cut/laminate set up. While I am leaning toward the Prism, I don't want to make a decision on older technology and regret it.

My customers are already inquiring, and it seems that I'll be doing a lot of wraps and other vehicle graphics, as well as outdoor signs.

I've looked through previous posts, but haven't found any specifically discussing this.

Also, for anybody that has recently purchased similar equipment, what did you pay and where?

Thanks!

[jiarby]

$19K for a 1604 about 4 months ago.

[Valentino]

prismjet V is a Valuejet.

I'm not sure about the rest of the folks, but my "Prismjet V" came in a valuejet box, and was branded mutoh VJ-1204. so I can only assume it's a valuejet.

I can go onto the mutoh website and download the firmware and it will load perfectly onto my "prisimjet"

your comparing apples to apples, I think it's funny SignWarehouse now offers the valuejet and the prismjet V, like their different things.

on a side note....prismjet sounds better.

20K, valuejet 1204, Graphtec 54", Ding-Tec laminator with shipping.

[Valentino]

oh yeah....by the way.... fellers is going to be selling VJ1604 pretty soon, fellers customer support is top notch and their prices are good to boot, so expect them to be a good reseller of mutoh.

Oh yeah...mutoh is going to introduce the VJ-1608, like the 1604, but it can accept media that is up to 3/4th's inch thick, so it can print on mdo and yadda yadda.

[mondo]

oh yeah....by the way.... fellers is going to be selling VJ1604 pretty soon, fellers customer support is top notch and their prices are good to boot, so expect them to be a good reseller of mutoh.

Oh yeah...mutoh is going to introduce the VJ-1608, like the 1604, but it can accept media that is up to 3/4th's inch thick, so it can print on mdo and yadda yadda.

Yeah but I think its 3/8" . VJ 1304 ( 54" ) and 1608 ( prints on roll and substrates).

[Sign-Man Signs]

We have a Prism Jet Extra which came with a Jr. Outdoor handbook. I think the new Value jet is the way to go with the weave print they now offer.

[kstompaint]

"your comparing apples to apples, I think it's funny SignWarehouse now offers the valuejet and the prismjet V, like their different things."

Sorry, what I meant was PrismJet EXtra vs. the VC (ValueJet).

[Compilla]

Oh yeah...mutoh is going to introduce the VJ-1608, like the 1604, but it can accept media that is up to 3/4th's inch thick, so it can print on mdo and yadda yadda.

Valentino,

Is this official ? Where exactly did you find this info ? I do not see any brochures / info at Mutoh's web site.

Please share this info...

[mondo]

Valentino,

Is this official ? Where exactly did you find this info ? I do not see any brochures / info at Mutoh's web site.

Please share this info...


not available yet to US Market but its on its way. I think the Ink is still in the process. Corn Base Inks.

[Derf]

I orderd a prismJet and I got a Value Jet dropped shipped from Mutoh.. I think SW ran out at the time

I think I payed like $14k for the printer, Flexi Pro, and take up system

[Pro Image]

19,000.00 for a 1204 w/take-up and a Mutoh 1400 48in cutter and Flexi DX.............

[auto graphix plus]

19,400 for the 64" w/take-up

[Valentino]

GO WITH THE VALUEJET, it really reduces banding which helps your bottom line look better.

compilla.......look at the attached picture.

[3dsignco]

Recently Bought a System From Signage Specialties in Denver. (great Customer Service and Support)
1604 and Graphtec7000 54" 24K but also upgraded 2 Signlabs.
And waiting on delivery of our Laminator next week. I Hope.

Talk to my rep about the 1608 yesterday as I was thinking about upgrading our system to that and there talking around 39K for that system. But won't be available till next year.

[Urban Image]

Mutoh still hasn't decided on a price for the 1608 yet. I've heard Mutoh execs say everything from $70,000 to $40,000. From what I've seen I would MSRP it at $49,995.

[3dsignco]

Was getting a few Emails so I thought I would post this sorry I was wrong about what I paid, I was a little tired.

:beer:beer:beer

I went and pulled my paper work. I bought all this from Signage Specialties In Denver
Total was 30K.
I Borrowed 24K Forgot I traded in our old Roland.

Mutoh Printer was 22K
Graphtec 54 Plotter 6K
Signlab Upgrades for 2 Stations 2 for 1 deal 900
Trade in on Roland -5K

So really it was 28K for the printer and Plotter.

I just ordered a New 64" laminator (Royal Soveregn) for the shop with Heat assist. It is costing me $7200.


And yes the Graphtec has the Optical eye.

[rcboats1]

1604 and Graphtec7000 54"

Graphtec 54 Plotter 6K


Can I ask why you went with a 54" plotter when getting a 64" printer and 65" laminator?
Just wondering.

[Valentino]

you don't have to run 64" material through your 64" printer.

you can get 30", 36", 48", 54" material to contour cut.

[KR3signguy]

If your going to be doing a lot of wraps & printed signage,
you should strive for a fast machine that can really spit out the production. You'll need it when your at the 11th hour & your installing the wrap & need to reprint 2 panels cuz of murphys law crept in and all your other deadlines will still have to be met & don't have the time to jockey around deadlines because it only prints so fast.
Good luck.

[Valentino]

as far as I'm concerned the valuejet is truly the best in it's class, at 147sfph in banner and 80 in production, this is heads above roland, mimaki in the same price range.

so if you starting to get into digital printing, this is an amazing printer.

[KR3signguy]

147/80 sfph
Thats like watching grass grow.

[rcboats1]

you don't have to run 64" material through your 64" printer.

you can get 30", 36", 48", 54" material to contour cut.


The obvious is not lost on me.
My question stems for the thought of limiting yourself and your printers effectiveness in some cases. I realize that most contour cutting will be done on smaller projects, but it seems to me that if you are getting a 64" printer that a 64" plotter just makes sense.
I'm not trying to ruffle any feathers, just trying to see all sides of this as I am getting ready to pull the trigger on a VJ 1604, 64" Graphtec 7000 and 65" Royal Sovereign laminator.

[Valentino]

KR3..... we are talking about printers in it's own class.

$15,000 vs. a Gandinnovations (what was that $150 to $200G's)

how much were the HP's?

[KR3signguy]

KR3..... we are talking about printers in it's own class.

$15,000 vs. a Gandinnovations (what was that $150 to $200G's)

how much were the HP's?


Well your right!
but I guess what I'm sayin is,
stretch for the best possible machine.
If your going to be running wraps & etc you should get a loan for something quick, you'll make the money back even faster. Time is money & you can potentially pigeon hole yourself into printing 3-4x longer for the same amount of money. In most cases, more money invested will produce a larger yield.

[KSW Chesapeake]

oh yeah....by the way.... fellers is going to be selling VJ1604 pretty soon, fellers customer support is top notch and their prices are good to boot, so expect them to be a good reseller of mutoh.

Oh yeah...mutoh is going to introduce the VJ-1608, like the 1604, but it can accept media that is up to 3/4th's inch thick, so it can print on mdo and yadda yadda.

I got the October issue of Sign Business magazine and it has a Mutoh add that had debut of up coming products. The ValueJet 1608 is in there.

[msrobere]

I purchased a 64" valuejet from fellers. Got the graphtec plotter to match and seal 62 pro c laminator. I feel i got a good deal, they even threw in their wrap class for free. I couldn't be happier with the printer. It will keep up with you when you need a reprint in a hurry. Also the prints are perfect.

Michael
Quick Signs n More

[3dsignco]

Ok here is my Take on the plotter.. The reason I bought the 54 instead of the 64 is look at all your materials you can buy.. All your vinyls you can get are 54" and a few 60"s The only thing wider is Banner Material and you would never Plotter a banner. About the only thing you would use 60" Vinyl for will be a wrap and you don't contour cut those anyway so I saved myself $2500 and got the 54" Plotter As 75% of everything we print is on 54" Material for 4x8 Signs.

[rcboats1]

Bill,

Thank you for your insite and input on your thoughs for the plotter, it has me thinking about checking the price difference for my package.

[Sparky]

Along the same lines as others, for doing wraps, I am looking at 62-64" printers and am liking the Mutohs.

My question lies in the "wave" technology. Is it worth the extra money?
If I get the model down from that (without the "wave") will I get banding?

I have been told I will be OK without it, but I don't want to be wishing 1 month in that I spent the money for the right printer.

Thoughts?

[MrKoob]

Just peace of mind mostly. Wave Printing doesn't mean it eliminates banding, it just hides it. You can make a ValueJet band, trust me, I've seen it. It's just more difficult. If you go with a model below, chances are you'll be just fine for most apps, only with the occasional banding from time to time. If you have the money to spend, get the ValueJET. If not go with something lower and work into the higher model. From what I understand with SignWarehouse's nomenclature the PrismJET Extra is the printer below the Valuejet, and the PrismJET VJ is the Mutoh ValueJET. SW throws in some extra stuff if you buy it under their PrismJET name... I think.

[Sparky]

Thanks Koob - your reinforcing my thoughts. I am shopping around and talking to many people the folks at SW are actually talking me down from the JetV. Not sure I understand her thought on that, but she is sending samples of the two to compare.

Seems to me if you can get around it easier and it can save a large file if the banding is hidden, the extra costs sound like insurance to me.

The package that Fellers is selling is the Valujet and that is the only thing that they are selling, so I guess they recommend it over the Jet Extra.

[MrKoob]

Over the PrismJET Extra the ValueJET (PrismJET V) beats it handsdown in speed and quality. If you level the playing field and note that both Fellers and SignWarehouse offer the ValueJET, then it's a matter of price, packages, and support. In other words who can sweeten the deal the most? That's where you'll get bombarded with different opinions of who's better than the other. In the end you just have to decide.

[kstompaint]

"I am shopping around and talking to many people the folks at SW are actually talking me down from the JetV. Not sure I understand her thought on that, but she is sending samples of the two to compare."

The Xtra (Falcon) is basically outdated and they probably just have some laying around to get rid of. I'm not saying it's a bad machine, but like anything else you get what you pay for. I waited until after attending the SGIA show to pull the trigger, and got the ValueJet. SW pissed me off because they literally would not give me a price. They didn't want me to use thier price as ammo to drive others down. My thought is that if nobody would give me a price, where would I start? SW is like Wal Mart, and a printer is like a car. I'd buy tires from Wal Mart, but not a car.

After meeting with the Fellers people, I decided to buy from them. Vehicle wraps and exterior signs are my prime target and they are geared toward that. Also, their customer service for me so far has been top notch and extremely LOW pressure sales. I also worked with Dave from Graphic Resource Systems, and was pleased with his professionalism. Had I not bought from Fellers, I would have probably gotten it from him.

Fellers offered me a complete package with printer, plotter, laminator, computer, software, graphics, training, etc. that I felt could not be matched.

Thanks everybody on the board for your help and opinions!

[leerees]

We are based in Luton UK and paid 15k UK Pounds for our VJ 1604 in 2008, this included the takeup roll and the Poster print rip.

I brought it from a company called RGB (previously known as greenworld) and it may be cheaper now as it's been a while. The tech / sales guy there has always been very helpful and offered tremendous after sales support at all times.

I quickly learnt that in the world of large format printing the quality of after sales support you receive is of paramount importance. If we ever need help, he's only a phone call away, therefore I recommend buying your VJ from these guys.