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Getting Started
- Thread starter hillman99
- Start date
bob
It's better to have two hands than one glove.
If you thing that you're going to printer/cutter, plug it in, and be in business, disabuse your mind. Since you don't state that you have any experience in this business the assumption is you have little to none.
There's no such thing as a bullet proof printer. Moreover, a print and cut machine does not do either function as well and as reliably as two separate machines. Know that these printers are nothing like desktop printers, nothing. The software, time, and materials your going to need in order to become a passable digital pressman on whatever printer you choose represents a considerable investment and can take up to a year or so depending on your level of experience. Not to mention learning to deal with cut vinyl.
There's no such thing as a bullet proof printer. Moreover, a print and cut machine does not do either function as well and as reliably as two separate machines. Know that these printers are nothing like desktop printers, nothing. The software, time, and materials your going to need in order to become a passable digital pressman on whatever printer you choose represents a considerable investment and can take up to a year or so depending on your level of experience. Not to mention learning to deal with cut vinyl.
balstestrat
Problem Solver
victor bogdanov
Active Member
You are better off outsourcing your prints, focus on selling. Once you sell something it will be very easy to get it outsourced.
Some of these comment are laughable. I'm wanting to get in the business not outsource. I own a wood working shop and am very familiar with the intricacies of machinery. My questiong was basically asking for experienced end user opinions of reliable/dependable printer that would print satisfactory for a start up. Not someone to tell me how much experience I do or do not have it's obvious I have no experience or I wouldn't be asking the question.
I have experience with HP, Roland, Mimaki, Mutoh and Epson. They all make good machines. As Boudica pointed out, there's some info that is missing for anyone to make a solid recommendation for you. What's your product? Who's your customer? What's your budget?
You point out that you have no experience. It would be good to partner up with a dealer that will help you learn the printers as well as the whole process. Look for someone who will provide personal support down the line and not just hand it off to some third party or back to the manufacturer. Bob's point is that these aren't plug and play - you'll need this coaching.
Victor's point that outsourcing might be a better way to get into the business is valid. You'll have a chance to learn the business without a huge investment and learn what sells and what doesn't. This is valuable information in determining what equipment you'll need if you decide to continue down this path. There's a common saying in this industry: How do you make a small fortune in the sign business? Start with a large one.
You're asking people on this forum for advice. These people have years of experience in the sign and graphics industry. You should try to learn from their experience, not just laugh them off. Wood working machinery is quite different from large format printing. If you assume that you can translate your experience into a successful graphics shop without taking the advice of others, you'll probably end up flushing money down the drain no matter what equipment you get.
You point out that you have no experience. It would be good to partner up with a dealer that will help you learn the printers as well as the whole process. Look for someone who will provide personal support down the line and not just hand it off to some third party or back to the manufacturer. Bob's point is that these aren't plug and play - you'll need this coaching.
Victor's point that outsourcing might be a better way to get into the business is valid. You'll have a chance to learn the business without a huge investment and learn what sells and what doesn't. This is valuable information in determining what equipment you'll need if you decide to continue down this path. There's a common saying in this industry: How do you make a small fortune in the sign business? Start with a large one.
You're asking people on this forum for advice. These people have years of experience in the sign and graphics industry. You should try to learn from their experience, not just laugh them off. Wood working machinery is quite different from large format printing. If you assume that you can translate your experience into a successful graphics shop without taking the advice of others, you'll probably end up flushing money down the drain no matter what equipment you get.
I want to start by saying no disrespect, and I apologize for coming off slightly pompous. This is the first time any of my questions were taken seriously. That being said, thank you to all that have commented.
I'm not looking to get rich or even be successful. I want something that can pay for itself and put an extra $500 to $1000 in my pocket monthly.
I don't want to spend over $20,000 total for all equipment needed. I would prefer not to outsource. I can always sell equipment and take a loss . Obviously, I'd prefer this doesn't happen, but I'm willing to give it a shot!
I want to make art reproduction, canvas art, banners, signs, vehicle door signs, stickers, and possibly some vinyl t-shirt designs.
I have a background (certification in Adobe Illustrator), Photoshop, and Lightburn.
I sincerely hope this clears up any confusion.
I'm not looking to get rich or even be successful. I want something that can pay for itself and put an extra $500 to $1000 in my pocket monthly.
I don't want to spend over $20,000 total for all equipment needed. I would prefer not to outsource. I can always sell equipment and take a loss . Obviously, I'd prefer this doesn't happen, but I'm willing to give it a shot!
I want to make art reproduction, canvas art, banners, signs, vehicle door signs, stickers, and possibly some vinyl t-shirt designs.
I have a background (certification in Adobe Illustrator), Photoshop, and Lightburn.
I sincerely hope this clears up any confusion.
We just purchased our third and fourth Epson, we had two of the SC60600 and maybe had a out five times in 6 years for both printers. These are solvent so if you don't have venting or a separate room to put them in it will get mighty smelly.
These is a very fast printer that would allow you to grow into it. I know that make a single head version as well, I can't speak to that model specifically. But we've been really happy with Epson.
On the cut side we have a Mimaki plotter and haven't had any issues with that.
I hope this helps.
These is a very fast printer that would allow you to grow into it. I know that make a single head version as well, I can't speak to that model specifically. But we've been really happy with Epson.
On the cut side we have a Mimaki plotter and haven't had any issues with that.
I hope this helps.
Stacey K
I like making signs
I have the HP 315 with a separate cutter, I really like it. I have a Vevor 52" laminator which I also like.
I would narrow your products down and focus on doing a few things really well especially if it's just you. I do signs, banners, vehicle graphics, apparel and decals. I do not venture too far out of that realm as it becomes difficult to stock all the materials you need and become an expert in that many areas. Banners will require a grommet machine (Amazon). Any printed items require a laminator. If you do apparel, that's a big learning curve also. You will need a heat press (I like GeoKnight). Vehicle graphics will require buying rolls of cut vinyl in addition to the printed materials. I order out any fabric banners, canvas prints or paper products from Signs365. It's too much overhead for me to have all that material in stock and not use it often enough. I also order out my shirt prints as it's cheaper and faster than me printing them. You can do them out of HTV vinyl also but it's time consuming. I use 613originals for plastisol prints, most of what I do is one or 2 color. For full color I have not tried my HP so I order from supacolor - just quicker for me.
It's good you have experience with those programs. You might want to get some books on design also. There are rules for design and using white space, etc. and most of us all have a variety of books we use as inspiration and resources.
I would narrow your products down and focus on doing a few things really well especially if it's just you. I do signs, banners, vehicle graphics, apparel and decals. I do not venture too far out of that realm as it becomes difficult to stock all the materials you need and become an expert in that many areas. Banners will require a grommet machine (Amazon). Any printed items require a laminator. If you do apparel, that's a big learning curve also. You will need a heat press (I like GeoKnight). Vehicle graphics will require buying rolls of cut vinyl in addition to the printed materials. I order out any fabric banners, canvas prints or paper products from Signs365. It's too much overhead for me to have all that material in stock and not use it often enough. I also order out my shirt prints as it's cheaper and faster than me printing them. You can do them out of HTV vinyl also but it's time consuming. I use 613originals for plastisol prints, most of what I do is one or 2 color. For full color I have not tried my HP so I order from supacolor - just quicker for me.
It's good you have experience with those programs. You might want to get some books on design also. There are rules for design and using white space, etc. and most of us all have a variety of books we use as inspiration and resources.
We use an HP 700w that was bundled with a laminator and graphtec plotter - this will do what you want...
the learning curve can be high, but the rewards can be good. Look at the restaurant industry, at least for start-ups, how many fail in the first year or 2? sign shops are similar. The ideas are a dime-a-dozen, but the work and investment to become proficient is almost always overlooked by the dreamer looking to start a business. Not to discourage, I regularly jump into things like this - heck, I started printing because we were selling graphics and spending too much money on printing - but that was over 30 years ago. We had many nights of reheating rice and beans because we were still in the learning part and not yet to the profit part of the curve.... The suggestion to outsource is solid. If you do this yourself you will lose moneys in the beginning - but like the few restaurants we totally love that made it beyond 5 years, you may just have the gumption to make it happen....
the learning curve can be high, but the rewards can be good. Look at the restaurant industry, at least for start-ups, how many fail in the first year or 2? sign shops are similar. The ideas are a dime-a-dozen, but the work and investment to become proficient is almost always overlooked by the dreamer looking to start a business. Not to discourage, I regularly jump into things like this - heck, I started printing because we were selling graphics and spending too much money on printing - but that was over 30 years ago. We had many nights of reheating rice and beans because we were still in the learning part and not yet to the profit part of the curve.... The suggestion to outsource is solid. If you do this yourself you will lose moneys in the beginning - but like the few restaurants we totally love that made it beyond 5 years, you may just have the gumption to make it happen....
Very informative thank you
Thank you sir.