Thread: Plotters are worth the money!

Doing a fender with 195 names on it. Layout was tough to figure out and I used fineline tape to mark off the areas the names will go on, cut out paper cutouts of the areas, used the plotter with a pen to get the names sized right on paper and figured out how many I can get in each area of the fender. Then I spent an hour typing the names in the cut program (cheap program won't let me import the names). Then set up the blade in the plotter and it actually took it 45 minutes to cut them out. Luckily, I put cut lines between all 35 rows of names so at least that will be easier.... BUT now I have to spend a couple of hours weeding out all the letters. I'll easily have 10 hours of prep time for 5-10 minutes of spraying.....

Can you just imagine trying this without a plotter?

Cliff

Five of the 35 rows of .3" letters weeded..... I can't take it anymore..... I'm going to see if I can find someone that might like to do it for a few beers.... LOL

At this rate, I'll have 5-7 hours just weeding out the letters!

Cliff

Marge I'd love to come over and let you help..... .but I wouldn't really put anyone else through this..... I'm crosseyed and my neck and shoulders need a massage..... or maybe I just need a beer..... I've come to hate names like Aaron, Nathan, Larry.... .to many small pieces that you can easily lose IF you don't watch out....I've got 10 of the 35 rows of names done and have 4.5 hours in it already just weeding..... gotta love this stuff to put up with it ....

Cliff

Wow Cliff, You really saved a lot of time being able to cut all those names out on a plotter, lucky you have one! ! ! But how do you explain to a client and get them to understand the time you'll have to charge for the hours of design time to make it look right, the time to type it all out on the computer, and the HOURS to apply the film and weed it all out?

This is quite the project, and I've got to tell you I'm anxious to see the finished project cumulation of all the work and thought you've put into this one.

Best wishes on the sore neck, fingers and aching back! Hopefully you estimated enough into the pricing to have a full boddy massage when you're done! LOL

Greger

how much are they?

Depends on what you want to spend. Cheaper ones new with so so software will range in the $250 ish to $400 range and the better ones with the better cut programs will range to over $2000. I went the low end for a 24" plotter/cutter with cheaper software and ended up spending another $200 for better software... the day will come that I will upgrade but so far, this one (US Cutter Refine model) is doing everything I want.

Cliff

Originally Posted by camaro75r

how much are they?

Depends many price and size range in cutters out there i gave 300 bucks for refine mh7 721 cut up to 24 inches,
Deo

Ok so the price is bearable at an entry level.
What models are suggested to start with.
I most interested in this type of thing to save
time but have never seen one let alonge
used one.
Be gentle with me. Simple terms are good.

Doug

plotters are the cats ass, but you should know(those who are thinking of getting one), you need an art program to make the vectors, to cut your stencils,,,,you need correll or illustrater or sign blazer etc.,, you cant just get a plotter and cut your pics.,,,make sure to do your research,,,that being said, mine paid for itself in 2 months just doing window decals for the guys at work,,,,give the neighbor`s kids a six pack to do your weeding,,,,
did i just say that?
err,, i mean make the ol lady and kids sit down to help,,,ha ha

It looks like I might be coming upon some extra projectors. I have a friend who works for a local school board, so they will be the school kind. If anyone is interested, send me a note, and if and when this happens, we can figure a cost and a way of shipping!

Originally Posted by shanesiemens

It looks like I might be coming upon some extra projectors. I have a friend who works for a local school board, so they will be the school kind. If anyone is interested, send me a note, and if and when this happens, we can figure a cost and a way of shipping!

Sign me up for one of those if possible.

-Zwin

Sabre! Your profile pic scares the hell out of my g/f lol! I love it! (not the scared g/f!) I have seen projectors used, the can be the cats meow, for sure! I'll pass info when I get more Zwin, my friend is pretty reliable, so I expect to hear from him sometime this week!