The appropriate cutter can expedite a shop’s printing operations, allowing it to run seamlessly and stay at the forefront of technology. Fortunately, the latest advancements in cutters have significantly simplified the processes for print and graphics shops. Integrating a cutter into your shop’s workflow enables the creation of personalized decals, signage, promotional items, and corrugated packaging, broadening your market reach significantly.
For those considering a new cutter, finding the perfect machine for your shop requires thorough research and asking pertinent questions. Which applications is the cutter ideally suited for, and does it align with the media you plan to work with? If your printing involves a variety of materials, you’ll require a cutter capable of handling them all. Are additional tools or accessories necessary? How much space will it require? Will it allow you to expand your offerings? Most importantly, what is the financial investment required?
The Right Cutter for the Job
Discover cutting solutions from industry veterans like Graphtec, designed to accelerate your production and diversify your product line. Whether it’s complex contours or straightforward cuts, Graphtec is up to the task. Graphtec offers multiple solutions, from the FC9000 Series, their most advanced and versatile roll-fed cutting plotter, to the CE7000 Series. High precision cutting capabilities with printed and unprinted materials are possible with the FC9000 Series- the ultimate finishing solution for the wide format signage, apparel, and automotive industries. You can confidently cut anything from delicate window tint to rigid magnets and high-intensity reflective.
Graphtec provides a Cutting Master 4 plug-in for Adobe and Corel users, Graphtec Studio for Mac, and the popular Graphtec Pro Studio software for design and cut graphics. The CE7000 Series works with both PC and MAC platforms, or you can use the handy USB thumb drive port.
Watch the Graphtec cutter in action:
The Right Media for the Job
Selecting the appropriate media for your cutter is essential, as it can save you precious time and prevent material waste. Opting for high-quality media ensures that your cutter’s blade can effortlessly glide through, creating smooth, sharp edges with precision, like cutting through butter! With dialed-in pressure and force, the blade should perform clean perforated (perf) cuts and smooth kiss (die) cuts that easily separate from the release liner, like on decals.
LexJet offers excellent vinyl options like LexJet Extreme AquaVinyl™ PSA, a long-lasting, waterproof vinyl backed with a permanent but removable adhesive for outdoor signs and vehicle decals. It is so durable that it carries a 12-month outdoor warranty against fading, peeling, cracking, bleeding, and running when used in conjunction with pigmented (UV) inks. This aqueous-compatible waterproof vinyl is durable enough to be used outdoors or on vehicles for up to 12 months.
The super-scratch-resistant coating eliminates the need for lamination. LexJet Extreme AquaVinyl™ PSA is compatible with all aqueous inkjet printers, whether they use dye or pigment inks or thermal or piezo printheads.
Another great option is LexJet TOUGHcoat™ AquaVinyl™ PSA, a 5-mil adhesive-backed vinyl with a white point that enables bright, colorful photos to be printed on a durable, weather-resistant surface.
The TOUGHcoat™ layer provides such exceptional resistance to water and scratching that graphics printed on this material will last up to 8 months outdoors without lamination. Prints will last up to two years outdoors when laminated with LexJet Elite Matte UV or Elite Luster UV laminates.
The super smooth, bright-white surface and superior ink-saturation properties of this material provide deep rich colors and the expanded gamut needed to produce great-looking photos or graphics with hard-to-hit spot colors.
The strong, permanent solvent-based adhesive sticks to most popular sign substrates and removes cleanly for up to 90 days. LexJet TOUGHTcoat™ AquaVinyl™ PSA is compatible with all aqueous inkjet printers, whether they use dye or pigment inks or thermal or piezo printheads.
Ready to take on workflow automation for maximum workflow efficiency? To learn more or purchase new finishing equipment and LexJet media, please contact a LexJet Customer Specialist at 800-453-9538 or visit lexjet.com.
Section 179- Don’t miss out on tax incentives!
Consult with your accounting professional to find out the best way to utilize the tax deduction when purchasing capital equipment before the end of the year. To get an idea of your deduction, check out the Section 179 Calculator. To claim the deduction for 2023, the equipment must be installed on or before December 31.
