oval shaped magnets

[rushworks graphics]

we get asked quite abit for round or oval shaped small magnets. the sqaure ones we cut with a standard ruler blade type set up, real easy. the oval/round ones we sub out. however, what would be a good way for us to do it? would the only way to do this be a die cutting machine? if so, what should we be looking at? costs for the machine and anything else involved. are the dies expensive to purchase etc.
or is it a case of these things are quite expensive and were better off just subbing them out still. i know it depends on how many we sell etc. we don't sell thousands and thousands all the time, its usually 500 hundred to 1000 a time seems to be.
i know someone said they were using a plotter just for cutting out magnets, but wouldn't that damage the strips and blade if your constantly cutting out the magnets?!??

 

[bayshorecreations]

I cut them on a plotter. I picked up a cheap Chinese cutter just for doing magnets on.
Best $300 I ever spent!

 

[rushworks graphics]

yeah, thats what i heard of someone else doing, just thought it would wreck the hell out of the strips and blade though!!

 

[bayshorecreations]

It does but for a 300$ cutter and some cheap blades who cares?
You dont need to cut all the way through the magnet, just score it.

 

[Mosh]

+on a chinese cutter!

 

[rushworks graphics]

ahhhh right! so your only scoring the magnet and then what, you can just push it through yeah?

 

[bayshorecreations]

Yup, you just fold it and it comes apart.

 

[rushworks graphics]

ok, yeah, got yeah! thanks man. how are you lining up the print and the cheap plotter to cut the shapes out then? crop marks? wouldn't it need to have the optical eye registration for that?

 

[bayshorecreations]

I cut the magnet blanks first then print/cut the vinyl to the same size and lay it down over it.

 

[synergy_jim]

we cut them on the CNC.

 

[showcase 66]

I cut them on a plotter. I picked up a cheap Chinese cutter just for doing magnets on.
Best $300 I ever spent!

That really works huh. I am going to have to give that a try. I have 2 of them sitting in the closet. I have been getting calls for football helmets or baseball helmets lately.

Got me thinking...

 

[rushworks graphics]

thought maybe thats what you were doing, cutting the blanks and then laying down the vinyl.....but figured hay, maybe you were doing it with crop marks. so i'm guessing the best place to get said cheap plotter is ebay right?

 

[omgsideburns]

We do 'em on the Edge.

 

[rushworks graphics]

hey tony, your what, printing them and then die cutting them on your edge? hows that working out for you? any problems doing it that way?

 

[gabagoo]

I have done them on the Edge but that gerber Edge ready magnetic material is pretty pricey. Depending on what plotter you use to cut with you may have to lay premask over exposed metal so the magnetic material flows smoothly

 

[omgsideburns]

I don't know anything about cost, I'm just a graphics guy.

The edge magnetic isn't bad for smaller mags like cheerleaders, footballs, business cards, etc.. Don't know if I would trust it for door mags as it's kind of light (we use magnum for those). Holds up pretty good. Works great, cuts easy, doesn't dull the blade on my envision. Score and tear out. Just watch it to make sure it doesn't bind up if you let your material stack when you print.

 

[gabagoo]

I don't know anything about cost, I'm just a graphics guy.

The edge magnetic isn't bad for smaller mags like cheerleaders, footballs, business cards, etc.. Don't know if I would trust it for door mags as it's kind of light (we use magnum for those). Holds up pretty good. Works great, cuts easy, doesn't dull the blade on my envision. Score and tear out. Just watch it to make sure it doesn't bind up if you let your material stack when you print.

Apparently the gerber magnetic does have the strength for vehicle use...or so they told me many years ago...

 

[Malkin]

Apparently the gerber magnetic does have the strength for vehicle use...or so they told me many years ago...

Gerber says lots of things...

...some of them even turned out to be true!

 

[cgsigns_jamie]

My buddy cuts 'em on his laser for me.. I print and apply the vinyl, then load it on the laser and let it rip. Perfect every time!

 

[Typestries]

We either print and apply, then rout em out or flatbed print then rout em out. Depending on workflow volume and what's on em.