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First time buyer for Large Format Printer
- Thread starter fin71
- Start date
SignMeUpGraphics
Super Active Member
I'd go with the HP over the Mimaki in this particular case.
I'll introduce some bias as we run an Epson solvent and suggest looking at an S60600 as well.
I'll introduce some bias as we run an Epson solvent and suggest looking at an S60600 as well.
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Thanks!!!!
balstestrat
Problem Solver
For wraps I wouldn't touch UV.
rjssigns
Active Member
Buy from the dealer in your town or within an hour of your shop. Getting "the deal" from a place two states away is great until the printer breaks. Almost guaranteed it will break when you have a fleet job with a drop dead date on it.
To add to the confusion I bought a Mutoh. It's been a great printer. It was between Mutoh and Epson but the Mutoh dealer was 20 minutes away.
To add to the confusion I bought a Mutoh. It's been a great printer. It was between Mutoh and Epson but the Mutoh dealer was 20 minutes away.
Solventinkjet
DIY Printer Fixing Guide
I agree. Take a look at the CJV300 instead of the UCJV300. It should be cheaper too.
So you suggest the hp?
Media Management is Paramount in wide format printing.
Latex is less expensive to maintain and keep running.
Solvent Inks are going to bleed your wallet to death,,,DO NOT
Solvent,, Do Not Eco Solvent.
If you are starting Out, Latex is your friend and Keeps Money in yo Pocket
If you get a laminator, get a GFP with Top Heat Assist. Write that down.
these are the Best for the dollar Period. I got a RS and have reqret.
But it gets job done real fast and quiet.
For wraps be it a car or a 24' Cargo Truck or a 53' Trailer.
You will be buying 54"w Media. 3m Media give you less trouble than
all the others. AND 3m 1J180 cv3 with 8519 Luster Laminate will get
you a 3m 7 year MCS Warranty with HP Latex Inks.
Like that Krazzy Cajun Stale Kracker say.. Dude! Thats Money,,,,,,,Lets Get it!
You can certainly take anyone's recommendations into account, but don't buy anything till you get to see it in action printing your files. As mentioned, get to know your dealer and ask about support metrics and if possible, meet with the tech who will be helping you out. Make sure that you understand how they plan on supporting you and make sure that you mesh with them.
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
balstestrat
Problem Solver
If you don't know, you have A LOT to learn.
I just don't have the time to explain now.
Craig Keller
New Member
What dealer u like
SignMeUpGraphics
Super Active Member
Can you elaborate on this?
Our Epson costs us nothing apart from ink and electricity (certainly less electricity than a latex).
Still running the same heads after 4 years and prints as good as the day it was installed.
Pauly
Printrade.com.au
Latex has the MOST consumables out of every printer. and the biggest amount of E-Waste.
i would go with the mimaki the uv works great on wraps and outdoor signs no need for laminate will cost you less and there are a lot of good third party inks out there that is cheap but you need to look at the after service for your printer as someone said look for a dealer that is close to you and have a good tech that is friendly after all the printer will be with you for a long time and it will give you some problems and you will also need to be a hands on person with the printer and learn as much as you can cause there might be some simple problems you may get that you can fix yourself with help from these guys here on the forum i have ask for help here and got it and it just cost me the parts and i was up and running . so make a good choice and happy printing.
Pauly
Printrade.com.au
Nearly lost my breath reading that. Use some full stops. hahaha.
But i wouldn't recommend UV ink for wraps. do they work. Yes. Sustainable, not really.
UVgel - yes.
UV - no
White Haus
Not a Newbie
If I'm understanding you correctly........are you saying you're wrapping vehicles with unlaminated UCJV prints? Would love to hear more about this, because I find it hard to believe. Which ink-set are you running?
Out of all our printers, the UCJV has the hardest and most scratch-resistant ink but I would never even fathom putting those unlaminated prints on a vehicle, let alone a wrap.
To the OP: I wouldn't consider the UCJV for wraps. It's a great machine but if you were to handle/work with UV and solvent/latex prints you would get why it's a bad idea. (Short story - UV ink sits on top of the vinyl and adds thickness and does not like to stretch like solvent or latex ink does) I personally don't have any experience with latex, and not sure I'll ever jump on that bandwagon, but I'll be looking at the Epson solvent printers next.
As already mentioned, make sure to check out the machines in person, see how they operate, and work with a dealer that will be a partner, not just a sales rep. They will be a valuable resource as you move forward.
Good luck with your search.
MHester
New Member
I have an HP latex and love it. Been using it for over 5 years now. Easy to use, very little maintenance, no smell, no outgassing before laminating, brilliant colors. Never touched a UV or solvent printer, so I have nothing to compare it to, sorry. As folks have told you already, as much $$ as you'll be spending on a new printer, DEMAND that you see YOUR files printed on a sample printer. Any good distributor will allow you to do this. And yes, things DO break, and you'll need maintenance, so make sure your distributor is close by, not out of state. Good luck!
victor bogdanov
Active Member
I have 2 roland SG2 that have been flawless printing 15k sq/ft each per month for over a year and 1 Roland VS that has been printing for 10 years with only 1 print head replacement.