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Vinyl Cutter Help!
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wugravekil View Drop Down
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Joined: 25/Jun/2007
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Posts: 71 		Post Options Post Options   Quote wugravekil Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Vinyl Cutter Help!
    Posted: 17/Sep/2008 at 1:22pm
Yes. finally!
I am very interested in starting up a vinyl/decal business out of my home. (on the side job). But i dont know the first thing about it. I am currently working as a Graphic Designer and have started collecting many different vectors. SO whats next? What cutters are good for a start up? vinyl? etc. All help would be appreciated. Thanks!
iasalas24@hotmail.com
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Victor View Drop Down
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Posts: 54 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Victor Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19/Sep/2008 at 5:41am
Congratulations on your decision to pursue your passion. 
 
You will need at least a 24" plotter to do commerical work.  I would check out the Graphtec and Summa brands.  There are other good brands too, but make sure that they can handle different sizes of media.  This is an excellent way to use scrap vinyl.
 
Some quick points:
     - Read everything you can about vinyl cutting
     - Call machine dealers and ask a lot of questions
     - Go to youtube and look for instructional videos
     - Keep a notepad and take notes of important information
     - Plan on lettering and simple logos as your main income
     - Have a wholesale company that can make full color stickers for you and resale their product. 
     - Know your limitations and don't try to do a project that is too large, such as a fleet of semi's. 
     - Have business cards printed
     - Research your media and vinyl products
     - Avoid the cheap vinyl and go with at least the intermediate vinyl
     - Concentrate on stocking the main colors of vinyl
     - Offer vinyl covered magnets for doors, etc.
     - Research pricing and learn how to price yourself in the game while still making a nice profit
     - Realize that it is work and it can be difficult and frustrating, not to mention time consuming
     - Find your niche market
     - Resolve to do something everyday to achieve your goals
 
 
 
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wugravekil View Drop Down
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Posts: 71 		Post Options Post Options   Quote wugravekil Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30/Sep/2008 at 12:31pm
Thanks so much Victor! Very insightful.

Much appreciated!
iasalas24@hotmail.com
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patriciac View Drop Down
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Posts: 11 		Post Options Post Options   Quote patriciac Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27/Oct/2008 at 12:37am
Hi wugravekil
I just started my own home based business and i can really recomend my Q60 from signwarehouse.com- Everytime i use it i'm pleased with the quality and cutting ability.Thw company support is awsome. If you have any questions please feel free to ask! I will help as much as i can.
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SignShopJohn View Drop Down
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Posts: 105 		Post Options Post Options   Quote SignShopJohn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11/Nov/2008 at 8:46am
I also purchased my cutter from Signwarehouse .My first was a Qe-60 It was a very good machine for the money.My current machine is a Q-60 It is faster the the Qe but it dosent do anything better that the Qe did .I sold the Qe to upgrade to the Q but I should have kept the Qe and saved the 2400.00 plus that I spent "upgrading"

Edited by SignShopJohn - 11/Nov/2008 at 8:47am
SIMCODALLAS@AOL.COM
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patriciac View Drop Down
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Posts: 11 		Post Options Post Options   Quote patriciac Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11/Nov/2008 at 1:15pm

Doyou still have your q60? Is that what you are now using? I like it a lot so far the only prob i've had was learning how to alighn the vinyl to use the most of it. I wish my business would pick up though. Do you do the heat press as well? Going to get a new blade for heat press mat soon. I hate weeding small things in that material.
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SignShopJohn View Drop Down
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Posts: 105 		Post Options Post Options   Quote SignShopJohn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11/Nov/2008 at 7:42pm
I still have the Q60 .I agree with you about lining up the vinyl to get the best use out of it.With the Qe60 you could cut with the wheels almost anywhere ,But not the Q.It is what I use right now and it works well just somethings about the Qe I got used to that are different on the Q.I cut and heat press,Also screen print.I would like to recommend using the same degree blade you are currently using .It was a major pain when I tried to change to the 60 degree (I think 60 degree blade) It would cut through or nothing at all ,I threw it away and used the original style with no problems.  And bussiness is slow for me but I am still paying the bills for now Hope it picks up after the first of the year..And I agree with you on weeding small stuff.
SIMCODALLAS@AOL.COM
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patriciac View Drop Down
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Posts: 11 		Post Options Post Options   Quote patriciac Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16/Nov/2008 at 2:13am
Good to know! I don't have alot of extra cash to waste. Very glad you have a Q60!
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enigmabomb View Drop Down
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Posts: 1 		Post Options Post Options   Quote enigmabomb Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15/Jan/2009 at 1:53am
Not sure if you picked up a cutter yet, but if you do, don't overlook some of the cheaper chinese brands. They work just as well, and are cheaper. Ive got one and have been running my business off of it the last year. It's great because it pays for itself quicker, and Im using it to pay for a better one. Check out, JZGraphics Vinyl Cutters or http://www.ebay.com for a HL Laser Redflag, or ProCut CR Series.

Josh


Edited by enigmabomb - 15/Jan/2009 at 1:55am
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