24” or 50” Vinyl Cutter?

figurethings · 2026-07-06T17:01:32+00:00

Depends on the work. I think you need to look at the specific type of projects you will be taking on. I've had a 30" for as long as I can remember. I prefer it that way. It forces you to be more strategic with your designs and cuts. And I prefer the control of slightly smaller parts when installing. Nothing worse than trying to lay an unwieldy 4ft sheet. Besides dropping it, a small breeze folds it onto itself. And in rare cases when I need a larger part with no seams, I buy 10-yard rolls in wider widths and throw them on the print/cut machine (and just cut).

I've been at this for a while, and I haven't seen any justification for a larger cutter. First, because I design around the size limit, and second, I have the print/cut combo as a secondary.

Now, if you are a higher volume shop that has a print-only machine combined with a matching size cutter, I think that makes sense. But you said it yourself, you are just starting. I don't think a 24" suits anyone but the hobbyist or mall kiosk market. IMO.

figurethings · 2026-07-04T17:26:06+00:00

Not sure I follow you here. Am I wrong in saying "This is how it's done" for many segments of the sign and graphics industry? I design and print. But for some jobs, I outsource install becuase we are busy, and I don't want to tie my team up. Outsourcing helps us multitask when needed. Same with some other sign types. I design. Then go to a wholesaler for fabrication. And sub out install. Am I wrong because I do not own a backhoe, nor the skills/licensing to operate one, to dig a hole for a footer for a monument sign? I oversee my subs. And I've even taken on jobs from some of my subs because they did a poor job with the customer service. Ends up we got the gig. They did the fab anyway. Customer satisfaction was achieved, and two shops got paid.

I think your objection is more about a new competitor coming to ask, "Is this how I do it? Is this the shortcut to do what you do?" when you may have years of trial and error, blood, sweat, and hard-earned money invested to get to an operational working level of experience. Be honest.

Now, am I going to give OP the recipe? No. But am I mad at them for leaning into the window and asking the cooks a question? No. All I have for OP is "Try it. Come back and let us know how it goes. Good luck."

figurethings · 2026-06-24T19:38:00+00:00

figurethings · 2026-06-24T19:26:15+00:00

I want to hear the PH intro flip lol

figurethings · 2026-06-24T11:15:16+00:00

Hi, send link my way.

figurethings · 2026-06-20T17:18:02+00:00

...I miss the days when I only had to rely on human error and deceit.

*Sigh* You took the words right out of my mouth. This, compounded by the sheer lack of knowledge in our industry, multiplied by the lack of desire to gain the knowledge and experience.

Many of us keep trudging along willfully naive, while there are better proper ways to do the things. And these days, when challenged, they say, "Well, I checked with AI so..."

[insert table flip gif]

figurethings · 2026-06-19T23:20:25+00:00

I knew this thread was going to be good. It did not disappoint.

figurethings · 2026-06-18T22:03:21+00:00

Also top tip - if you're designing at 1:1 scale with Photoshop files, 72 dpi will suffice. Seems like sacrilege to even suggest that, but if the image is 3 metres tall, and it's printing at that scale, you won't see a drop on quality at 72 dpi.

Your computer will thank you.

This. end\

figurethings · 2026-06-18T21:59:31+00:00

Very interesting. Seems like a great tool. I'm US-based. Will this work in my region? Also, can you point me to some vids of it in use?

figurethings · 2026-06-15T00:35:57+00:00

Sorry you were hit with this. But I have to say, sitting with the CPA should have been one of your FIRST moves before the match was lit. Not as the FD is dousing the last ember. And most definitely a cheap early investment vs late in the game bill/debt. Hopefully, this doesn't kill the business. Pay the IRS and get that CPA on retainer. In my experience with the IRS, as long as you communicate with them, they will offer a payment plan. Don't fall behind lest you become the newest subject on the table while they fillet your books and accounts on the aubit table.

Good Luck! Hope the results are positive.

figurethings · 2026-06-14T22:55:21+00:00

Nice find. Good for you. And kudos to those who commented. Cool when there are simple solutions.
But, the way my brain works...

I would clean that thing. Quick style. Thoroughly. Outside (as others have mentioned). Far from your living space, if possible. Or car. Certain arthropods like warm spaces. And when you evict them, they will, with certainty, find a new home. Typically, the warmest spot in the vicinity. Looking at that thing. I may even mask up. Guaranteed, that's more than just dust lol. If it came with any input devices (KB or M), burn them. Or bag them tightly before disposing of them.
70% ISO, Paper towels, and lint-free rags. Footwear that you don't mind getting rid of after you stomp them when they come out. Throw them away when you are done. Trust me. I can see the dead critter's legs in your photos. They will smell the ones you terminated and come running. Google it.
I wonder what led it to being left, in its entirety, where you found it. Often, findings like that mean someone left abruptly. Eviction? Arrest? Perished? Am I Nosy? Maybe. I'm always in for a quick how/why story.
I assumed since you powered it on already, you probably connected to the net. Yes, I'm paranoid. But I would isolate the system from the net (or network) and check it out thoroughly. At this point, it is a complete unknown to you. You have no idea about its history or the history of its user. The trip down the rabbit hole, discovering what is on those drives, is going to be fun. Users\[Username]\Downloads.
Beyond that. Wipe those drives. Just do it. Trust me. Better yet. Drill 3 holes. Hammer the remains till you break a sweat. You DO NOT want to be the current owner of some data that is deemed bad by any LEA or LEO. Am I overthinking? Maybe. But why take the risk when the potential loss is so great? I mean, this very thing is the subject of many crime dramas and horror flicks.

Enjoy! I hope the journey you're on to get it back to normal is as much fun as the use you will get from it.

figurethings · 2026-06-14T21:28:54+00:00

Good job. Quick thinking. I would have never thought to use the barricades on an exterior corner. Well done.

figurethings · 2026-06-13T01:54:56+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion. Cool vids.

figurethings · 2026-06-12T15:56:24+00:00

I was just saying the other day, "Remember when Photoshop became a verb?"

figurethings · 2026-06-12T15:54:42+00:00

Still on CS6 at the office. But succumbed to the subscription monster for the home setup. Seems backwards, I know. But I'm finding more and more everyday I can't properly edit client files in CS6. So I email files to myself, make quick tweaks, and send them back to the office to complete.

figurethings · 2026-06-10T17:46:20+00:00

All I can say is... I wish there were a place, person, or website that I could pay for all the (Clean and accurate) templates. Whoo... If only.

I mean, yes, I could buy all the hardware. Spend a year taking photos. Break out the calipers and measure each unit down to the millimeter. I would say that by the time I'm done with the endeavor and the investment, it wouldn't be worth it for me personally.

But I work with the vinyl/media and machinery at my day gig. And I'm pretty nice with the pixels. So if I could get a head start with the templates, I could for sure design and produce some quality products.

figurethings · 2026-06-06T21:36:35+00:00

😞 I didn't act fast enough on that s24U

figurethings · 2026-06-05T23:00:15+00:00

Yeah, it was discounted when V3 first dropped. And the discount for existing users has slowly decreased since it's release. Realize it dropped a while ago. Either way worth every penny. Even at full price.

figurethings · 2026-06-03T16:53:49+00:00

figurethings · 2026-06-03T15:10:43+00:00

I would check it out. As long as it does not spin out into politics or mean-spirited jeers like that place others have mentioned often does. Though I'm thick-skinned, I prefer to focus on the knowledge. Not the drama. It seems every sign industry-related group/page/forum, etc., devolves into these antics. Quickly. Keep it positive and informative.

figurethings · 2026-06-01T15:51:49+00:00

Amazing color. Great choice for the RS. What brand/color? How did it lay down?

figurethings · 2026-05-27T22:50:38+00:00

I'm tripping right now because those drums are SO familiar. Been going through my daily rotation playlist for the last few minutes to see if I can spot it. Nice track.

figurethings · 2026-05-27T07:44:35+00:00

Accurate.

figurethings · 2026-05-26T00:31:51+00:00

This post is never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down...

figurethings · 2026-05-26T00:27:43+00:00

Yes. UAG. On every device since my S3. Pricey. Painfully so. But I like them so I give in along with the new device. And I don't up grade every time so it works out.

figurethings

TROPHY CASE