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I just can't stop thinking about this printing business. I have a good deal of customers who come to me with logos that are images (mountain scenes and things of that sort). Every time that happens I cringe. I do sub this work, but I hate subbing out one little sticker. My business cannot afford a printer, but could definitely use one. If I were to invest, would I need a laminating machine as well? Does anyone have any advice for me as far as which machines to consider. I wouldn't want a huge printer. Maybe 24" or so. And also, is there anything out there for less than 10 grand? What happened to solid color logos????Help!
-------------------- Sarah F. Evans Appalachian Signs and Design 186 Parkside Road Boone, North Carolina 28607 Posts: 97 | From: Boone, NC | Registered: Dec 2006
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I to have been contenplating buying a printer. This April, I gonna go to Las Vegas to the International Sign Expo. There, they will have all kinds of printers. I can really check them out and see which one would work best for me. But I have been told to bring my own designed artwork on a disk. This way at the show I could see what MY artwork looks like printed out. Even if I don't buy a new one at least I'll be a little more educated on printers.
-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3821 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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Sarah, Hi- I have noticed you are nearby....in Boone. Have you considered a Gerber Edge? We have been looking at them for a few years, and finally bought one at the Orlando show last year. It's a 15" - smaller than your looking for. I don't need many things printed, so it has worked out well for us......EXCEPT.. our daughter who understands how to use it....is back in Boone; at App State, her Jr. year. Gosh, I miss her at the shop!
-------------------- Debra Carr Sign Crafters 502 S. Main Street Hendersonville, NC 28791 Posts: 82 | From: Hendersonville, NC | Registered: Nov 2006
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Sarah, over in signs101, a fellow had a versa 52" for about $6000 for sale in good workiing order. It was a cmyk one I think. If he was downunder I'd be considering it for that price, but overseas freight...no.
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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There was a write-up in Signs of the Times, July 2006 issue about the Mutoh ValueJet. It sounds like a really good entry-level machine. It's $15,000 including the RIP software. I put the article aside because it sounded like something worth looking into when ever I'm in the position to buy one. If you can get a hold of that issue it would be worth reading.
-------------------- Tracie Johnson Signovations Ventura, California Posts: 444 | From: Ventura, California | Registered: Nov 2005
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Wholesalers are selling digital printing for as little as $2.00 a square foot. You can out-source a lot of jobs before you'll reach the cost of owning / learning / maintaining a printer. If you think you'll add $50,000.00+ a year in sales without having to hire another employee, it might be worth it. That's the way I see it, anyway.
-------------------- Tim Whitcher Adrian, MI Posts: 1546 | From: Adrian, MI | Registered: Mar 1999
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I know how you feel. I feel like a smuck waiting for quotes from wholesalers just so I can give my customer a quote. Then, they never come out the way you want or you make hardly any $$.
I am torn between really needing both a CNC and a printer.
There have been some good deals on signweb.com lately but I want to see them in person before I buy anything. Too many scam artists out today.
Good luck, sorry I'm no help, but I do feel your pain.
-------------------- Amy Brown Life Skills 101 Private Address Posts: 3502 | From: Lake Helen, FL, USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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quote:Originally posted by Amy Brown: I know how you feel. I feel like a smuck waiting for quotes from wholesalers just so I can give my customer a quote. Then, they never come out the way you want or you make hardly any $$.
Hmm. Who are you using as a wholesaler? Figure if you can get pricing into a $ per sq ft structure, it's easy as pie to give your customer quotes on the spot - just figure up the footage, multiply it by your own retail price/sq ft, add a little extra for fudge factor and to cover shipping, and you're set. If you base a price on multiple items by the overall area of each piece, but the items can be nested when printed thus using less area, that's just a little more lining for your pocket.
Several letterheads can run prints, at least you'd know they care as much about your job as you do.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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Sarah -- Check your email... I recently added a printer because I'm seeing more and more jobs that I can keep here without subbing out the printing. I went with a 30" machine, so I still farm out the wider format jobs.
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