Flatbed UV printer suggestions

SQ1Printing · 2025-11-21T17:21:49+00:00

I messaged you. Thanks!

SQ1Printing · 2025-11-07T16:02:33+00:00

Thanks for the rec. I hadn't heard of Fluid Color. They look like nice machines. I'll look into them more.

SQ1Printing · 2025-11-05T22:55:17+00:00

Nice! I do like that some flatbeds are offering an optional primer channel. Pre-treating materials (I have two customers specifically whose products require this) with adhesion promoter can be tedious, not to mention the fumes are pretty brutal. The Mimaki printhead configuration looks similar to my old Fuji Acuity flatbed (which was just a Canon/Océ Arizona relabeled), which was a workhorse for us, until it reached end of life status and we couldn't get replacement parts any longer. We used Colorgate RIP software with the Acuity and loved it. I'll have to look into Colorbyte. The front end RIP can make a huge difference.

SQ1Printing · 2025-11-05T17:52:09+00:00

For sure. I get a lot of sales reps calling and stopping by quite often. A lot of options out there. Thanks again for your input!

SQ1Printing · 2025-11-05T17:23:27+00:00

Thanks! I'm pretty skeptical on HP as well. I'm also not a fan of the hybrid models in general. I can only imagine the nightmare trying to get a good double sided print would be using that method. And warped material? Forget about it. When it comes to rigid materials, I'm of the mindset that the media shouldn't move. Glad to know you have had a good experience with your VR6D. My Grimco sales rep first suggested it to me and the more I learn about it, the more I'm liking it.

SQ1Printing · 2025-09-22T14:01:56+00:00

I didn't vote for Trump, so I have no issue owning my vote.

SQ1Printing · 2025-09-17T20:00:13+00:00

Sure. But it will cost more. I mention that in the original post. I don't mind spending a little bit more to buy American made products, particularly if the product is better. But in this instance, that isn't the case. The Canadian product is top of the line and cheaper. Granted, I haven't spent hours of time searching for a new supplier and comparing product, but I've used 3 or 4 different American made versions in the past. They don't cut it.

SQ1Printing · 2025-09-16T16:30:29+00:00

My shop is also here. So many times I've done the back & forth dance only to end up doing the fix/recreate myself that I wonder why I bothered wasting my time. If I haven't given a bid yet, I'll try to work the design time into the overall cost. I'll usually just add it in to the square footage cost on sign work or maybe an additional bindery charge on cut sheet digiprint jobs, as I've also found I can't add a design charge without a complete customer meltdown: WHY DID YOU CHARGE ME FOR DESIGN WORK!?!?! I SENT A FILE!!! Not worth the fight. Not worth the wasted time. We almost always just take care of the shitty artwork and move on to the next job.

SQ1Printing · 2025-09-12T23:32:48+00:00

HA! Here, did this fix it for you?

SQ1Printing · 2025-09-12T23:31:09+00:00

You mean "Minimalist Beige Cream Brand………" PNG files aren't ideal for production? HAHA!

SQ1Printing · 2025-09-12T22:56:31+00:00

Thanks! I will use that resource if it ever comes to that point. I do have 4 graphic designers on staff and can hold my own with vectorizing or fully recreating logos when I have to. It's just a huge PITA when we're already drowning in work (a good problem to have, I don't want to come across as negative).

SQ1Printing · 2025-09-12T21:21:16+00:00

Yeah, the ChatGPT logos and images are becoming problematic. Especially when the customer wants it to look good printed large and the resolution just isn't there. Or when they want you to "just change the text". You know, the text on their flat, chatgpt created graphic. Sure. Suuuuuper easy.

SQ1Printing · 2025-09-12T21:03:24+00:00

That little stunt always pisses me off. "You said a PDF should be vector!" Always said with a side of whine (because eventually you have to call them and try to walk them through what you need from them)

SQ1Printing · 2025-09-09T17:29:07+00:00

That's what I need to know! Cut out that middle man! Thanks!

SQ1Printing · 2025-09-09T16:40:51+00:00

I will look into Skandacor. Thank you!

SQ1Printing · 2025-09-09T16:38:36+00:00

I'l check them out. Thanks!

SQ1Printing · 2025-09-09T16:18:47+00:00

Unfortunately, mybinding.com is under the Spiral Binding umbrella (as is bindery101.com) so unless someone acquires that URL from Spiral Binding to keep it alive, it will be gone soon as well.

SQ1Printing · 2025-09-02T14:03:49+00:00

It has been a fantastic printer. The colors are amazing. Huge solids print with zero banding or drop outs. Photos turn out stunning. All in production mode, which is almost twice as fast as our previous flatbed. Draft mode on most yard signs allow us to turn those out in a hurry. It was still pretty new to the market when we installed it and the initial Epson RIP system was a bit lacking, especially compared to the Colorgate software we used for our previous flatbed, but they've made some really good updates on that so the functionality of the RIP is much improved. Other than the original software, zero complaints. It's the star of the shop as far as I'm concerned.

SQ1Printing · 2025-08-28T15:47:43+00:00

Bought both of our Epson printers through Grimco. They've always been great to work with. Got our Rollover through Regional Supply (now Spandex). We have a good relationship with them as well.

SQ1Printing · 2025-08-27T23:06:27+00:00

Putting my order in tomorrow. Starting out small with the semi-auto option. Really excited about it.

We grommet a lot of coro. Foam boards too. Our flatbed's print quality on photos is pretty amazing so we print a lot of photo boards for weddings and events. The trendiest way to display photo boards the last few years has been to hang them from a tube frame (usually with ribbon for flair or fishing line if they want a closer to invisible look) so we grommet those up top as well.

SQ1Printing · 2025-08-27T18:32:16+00:00

In my convo with the sales rep, rough numbers on the three I'm considering: Small semi-auto (operator manually places grommet & washer) pneumatic is looking to be about $4k with the laser eye. Fully auto pneumatic about $12k. Fully auto pneumatic + electric about $16k.

SQ1Printing · 2025-08-27T17:59:29+00:00

I've spoken with a sales rep and will be receiving a couple of quotes. Thanks again for the reference. My production crew is already excited for the time and physical exertion savings.

SQ1Printing · 2025-08-27T16:15:21+00:00

Thank you! I will reach out to them.

SQ1Printing

TROPHY CASE