Best Cutter to pair with bn-20 for "die-cut" laminated stickers

[DAHVID]

I'm interested in getting a cutter/plotter to complement my bn-20 roland printer. Looking a bit I've got some ideas but would love to hear what you masters of the cut might recommend? I would like to be able to make them appear die cut (not just jagged perf cut.) Thoughts? TIA!

 

[Smoke_Jaguar]

Just snag a small Graphtec, can usually find 24" units for under $600 if you keep an eye out and they are compatible with all sorts of production software.

 

[jharler]

I agree, get a small Graphtec. I'm only familiar with the FC9000 model, but it works great for die cut stickers. I would recommend getting two blade holders: one for kiss cuts and one for perf cuts. That's what we do and we get smooth edges as long as the blade is decently sharp.

 

[vondegroot]

I always see GX-24's floating around from time to time, for a good deal. I used one with my BN-20 and worked flawless only using VW

 

[VizualVoice]

3rd on the graphtec (I have the CE-7000-60). The cutting channel works great, and like jharler says get 2 blade holders. I use a 45° for the usual contour cut, then swap to a 60° in the perf channel for that second operation. Protip: make them 2 different colors for easy ID if you do that. Also, there's a 3d printable blade holder clamp thingie that made swapping super easy, one is short for the front blade holder and one is r for the rear and you can just easily swap back and forth in a few seconds that way versus having to turn the little screw holder way in or way out. I can't find the link right now on Cults3d, but the it's called "Quick Swap blade holder for Graphtec FC9000 and CE7000".


Here's the holder already printed, but the STL file is out there somewhere:

Quick Swap Graphtec Blade Holder | Compatible for Graphtec FC9000, FC8600, FC8000, CE7000 | Rapid Swap CB09U - Etsy

This Tools item by TilloSupplies has 15 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Ships from Germany. Listed on Aug 28, 2025

www.etsy.com

 

[Superior_Adam]

Summa tangential or graphtec.

 

[Smoke_Jaguar]

I love my tangential, but there's not a ton of situations where it is a huge benefit. Also, tangential cutting gains precision at the price of speed. Then again, I am just using an old S120T. A new tangential is going to be a pricey beast.

 

[Joseph44708]

I agree, get a small Graphtec. I'm only familiar with the FC9000 model, but it works great for die cut stickers. I would recommend getting two blade holders: one for kiss cuts and one for perf cuts. That's what we do and we get smooth edges as long as the blade is decently sharp.

I only use one blade holder to do Kiss Cuts and Straight thru cuts.
NO PERF CUTS IN THIS SHOP.
Takes too much time to perf cut.
TIME IS MONEY.
I Print, Cut, Punch and process 500 rolls of 6mil vinyl 54" x 100' yearly.
Cut everything in the channel, Change OEM Blades twice a year on Graftec Cutter.

 

[Smoke_Jaguar]

I don't think a BN20 could survive 200,000 sqft of printing in the decade and 9 replacement printheads it'd take to pull it off.

 

[jharler]

I only use one blade holder to do Kiss Cuts and Straight thru cuts.
NO PERF CUTS IN THIS SHOP.
Takes too much time to perf cut.
TIME IS MONEY.
I Print, Cut, Punch and process 500 rolls of 6mil vinyl 54" x 100' yearly.
Cut everything in the channel, Change OEM Blades twice a year on Graftec Cutter.

The cuts I got trying to use the same blade for both kiss and perf cuts as well as doing through cuts without using the perf feature were unsatisfactory. I'd rather the cutting take slightly longer but result in better quality cuts. I did find that lowering the 'up' setting of the perf cuts significantly reduced the amount of time the perf cutting took. I've seen edges of stickers cut by other companies... I think I'll stick with the way I do it. The results are so much better.