Gerber Edge FX and Envision Plotter

[dynaminator]

Hello everyone, I'm a new member. I've been lurking for about a week and finding this forum to really awesome! In my shop I am using the gerber edge fx and envision plotter. This system uses 15" punched rolls of vinyl. My main software is Gerber Omega along with photoshop and illustrator. I have been at it over 5 years doing mostly small and mid size jobs vehicle lettering and graphics, box trucks, trailers, acm and flat panel signs, banners, etc. It has provided about 50% of my income with the other 50% coming from a 20 hour/week gig. The part time gig is coming to an end and I am going to do this full time. I am wanting to level up and max out the potential of what I can do most profitably. The questions I have for you are these...1. Is anyone here using this equipment or the Edge1 or 2 for that matter? What are you using it for and what are you not using it for? Are there more profitable niche work that I should be going after? Can I be competitive or viable and make a good living without doing wraps and large format printing? Any advice or opinions will be greatly appreciated.

 

[White Haus]

Welcome from Canada.

We still use our Edge 2 and HS15+ / GS15+ plotters almost daily. We use it mainly for 1 color print jobs on colored vinyl. Everything else gets printed on our Solvent / UV printers.

Use its capabilities to your advantage. Opaque white, metallic/medal foils, short runs, variable data etc. There's your niche right there.

Sure, getting into large format will open a lot of doors but only if you're willing to spend some money to get set up and have access to at least 1,000 sqft climate controlled shop.

 

[Signstein]

The Edge and Envision are great machines. I first learned on them over 20 years ago and still use them occasionally, mostly for small jobs that call for spot white on clear.

 

[Signsfyi]

I have been running Edge printers for about 25 years. I currently have an FX but also have an HP latex. They both have their strengths and weaknesses. Short run spot colors on clear/colored/metallic/reflective vinyls are are great with the FX. Since you have Omega, sequential numbering is useful. I do a lot of printing for municipalities, fleet cars, parking meters etc and the Edge works the best. There are a few decals for those jobs that require hi rez process printing and for that, I jump to the Latex along with wraps for vehicles, panels, banners and other types of decals.