Vinyl Cutters and Printers
What can you make with a vinyl cutter?
The photos below represent a very limited sampling of what you can do with a vinyl cutter.
The photos below represent a very limited sampling of what you can do with a vinyl cutter.
Click on any of the photos below to go to the source website...
Machine Options
Vinyl cutters are used extensively to cut letters and shapes out of vinyl sheets for vehicle graphics, window graphics and signs for advertising purposes. The vinyl can be stuck to anything that a typical sticker would adhere to and there are weather resistant versions that can hold up for years exposed to sun and weather. Cutters can also be used to cut heat transfer vinyls that can be heat pressed onto clothing. Layers of different colors may be used to create very elaborate designs.
At the time of this writing there are 3 predominate hobby level machines on the market that each sell for around $300. These machines have a cut area of about 11.5" to 12" wide and from 23.5" to 120" long. I would only recommend one of these machines if having a very small footprint is an absolute requirement. They have a very small footprint which is nice if space is a concern but they are also much more limited in the size material that they can cut.
CriCut - Several models available. The included software is simpler to use but more limited than the Silhouette software. Max cut size 11.5" x 23.5"
Silhouette Cameo Several models available. The included software is more capable than the CriCut software but harder to learn. Max cut size 12" x 120".
Brother ScanNCut (check prices for blades and cutting mats. I read that the Brother supplies cost as much as 3x more than other brands. If this is true, over time consumables costs will likely exceed the cost of the machine itself.
At the time of this writing there are 3 predominate hobby level machines on the market that each sell for around $300. These machines have a cut area of about 11.5" to 12" wide and from 23.5" to 120" long. I would only recommend one of these machines if having a very small footprint is an absolute requirement. They have a very small footprint which is nice if space is a concern but they are also much more limited in the size material that they can cut.
CriCut - Several models available. The included software is simpler to use but more limited than the Silhouette software. Max cut size 11.5" x 23.5"
Silhouette Cameo Several models available. The included software is more capable than the CriCut software but harder to learn. Max cut size 12" x 120".
Brother ScanNCut (check prices for blades and cutting mats. I read that the Brother supplies cost as much as 3x more than other brands. If this is true, over time consumables costs will likely exceed the cost of the machine itself.
For just a little more money you can move up to a much larger format cutter that will cut as large as 24" x 120". I bought the Saga 720 II (servo) shown in the photo below. Saga is the OEM for machines rebranded under the model name "Titan". So, if you see "Titan" from one vendor and "Saga" from another, they are the same machine. I bought my machine from Paul at https://laughingprofessor.net/ based on a Facebook group recommendation. Paul was very helpful and answered all of my questions on the phone without rushing me. He even threw in some extras for free. I would give him an A+ for customer service.
Vinyl Cutting Machine Types
Laser
Sublimation dye (printers start around $500). More about sublimation printing HERE. You can not print sublimation dye
onto vinyl but you can print contour cut registration marks onto sublimation die prints and contour cut them.
Others?
Vinyl Cutter alignment systems
Manual - Align the cutter with the vinyl by eye. Cheapest option.
Manual with Laser dot - a very small laser dot provides a precise reference the operator uses to manually set the machine
using contour cutting registration marks
ARMS - Automated Registration Mark Sensor - a sensor detects contour cutting registration marks and automatically calibrates the cutter to contour cut around a pattern.
thousands of hours so they are okay for hobby use.
Servo motor - more expensive than stepper motor, nearly silent operation, better for high volume business use.
Materials (Oracle seems to be the most highly rated brand. Cast vinyl seems to be considered better than extruded vinyl)
- Cutter only - cut vinyl graphics for cars, windows, signs, objects, clothing, etc... Start at around $300
- Printer/cutters - Print onto the vinyl substrate then contour cut around the edges of the print. Most start at over $15,000
- Print technologies
Laser
Sublimation dye (printers start around $500). More about sublimation printing HERE. You can not print sublimation dye
onto vinyl but you can print contour cut registration marks onto sublimation die prints and contour cut them.
Others?
Vinyl Cutter alignment systems
Manual - Align the cutter with the vinyl by eye. Cheapest option.
Manual with Laser dot - a very small laser dot provides a precise reference the operator uses to manually set the machine
using contour cutting registration marks
ARMS - Automated Registration Mark Sensor - a sensor detects contour cutting registration marks and automatically calibrates the cutter to contour cut around a pattern.
- Drive types
thousands of hours so they are okay for hobby use.
Servo motor - more expensive than stepper motor, nearly silent operation, better for high volume business use.
Materials (Oracle seems to be the most highly rated brand. Cast vinyl seems to be considered better than extruded vinyl)
- Heat transfer vinyl - typically costs around $1.50/ft2
- Self adhesive vinyl - typically costs around $1.50/ft2 (I've seen suggestions for Oracal 651 for windows/cars and Oracal 631 for interior walls)
- Metallic vinyl
- Stretch vinyl
- Stencil material?
- Rhinestone transfers?
- Transfer paper
- Others? there are probably 100 other categories and subcategories
- Graphtec and Roland seem to be the most highly regarded systems for professional use
- Others... I'm not sure other than Saga and Titan which have the same OEM. There are MANY brands.
- My machine came with DragonCut Basic which doesn't allow you do do much design and is a little buggy but it is easy to use. For $100 I upgraded to DragonCut Pro which allows includes a lot of design tools and clipart.
- VinylMasterCut (or Pro). This was the most recommended software that I saw during my research.
- SCAL (doesn't come very highly recommended)
- Others???
Workflow
Resources
YouTube Video Playlist Resource with the top videos I watched while researching vinyl cutters
Facebook Groups
Vinyl Cutting Forum
The Laughing Professor Supplies
Vendors
Facebook Groups
Vinyl Cutting Forum
The Laughing Professor Supplies
Vendors