Finally getting a plotter for tint, need advice

McCoyH · February 23, 2016

I couldn't find any good threads answering all my questions so figured I'd post one.

We're finally going to need to get a tint plotter this year but don't know where to start.

Are there any "popular" tint plotters?

What kind of specs / equipment do I need to look for?

WearTheFoxHat · February 23, 2016

Don't limit yourself to "tint" . Cut graphics can be very lucrative.

Signs101 is a great resource.

Our shop has Summa and Allen Plotters and HP printers.

Get something that will accommodate at minimum 60" film .

I'm not the guy that plays with them so I could not say this or that is "better"

Bham · February 23, 2016

I would have to agree with WTFhat. I have seen a few instances where my flat glass guy could not have done some jobs properly if he hadn't had a 60" plotter. If you can get one, I would go for 60" just to make sure you are not limited. :twocents

Vinylspec · February 23, 2016

I would have to agree with WTFhat. I have seen a few instances where my flat glass guy could not have done some jobs properly if he hadn't had a 60" plotter. If you can get one, I would go for 60" just to make sure you are not limited.

We got a 72in plotter just so we could handle any job that may come to us.

McCoyH · February 24, 2016

Don't limit yourself to "tint" . Cut graphics can be very lucrative.

Signs101 is a great resource.

Our shop has Summa and Allen Plotters and HP printers.

Get something that will accommodate at minimum 60" film .

I'm not the guy that plays with them so I could not say this or that is "better"

Thanks for the reply. We do have a small vinyl plotter now and do a little bit of graphics with it. You don't think we'd be ok starting with a 40" tint plotter? We almost NEVER do flatglass anymore, and with a 40 inch you can fit the roll up windows side by side

I would have to agree with WTFhat. I have seen a few instances where my flat glass guy could not have done some jobs properly if he hadn't had a 60" plotter. If you can get one, I would go for 60" just to make sure you are not limited.

I would have to agree with WTFhat. I have seen a few instances where my flat glass guy could not have done some jobs properly if he hadn't had a 60" plotter. If you can get one, I would go for 60" just to make sure you are not limited.

We got a 72in plotter just so we could handle any job that may come to us.

Edited February 24, 2016 by McCoyH

McCoyH · February 24, 2016

We've used US Cutter before for our vinyl, and I know the US Cutter brand won't work for tint, but it looks like they carry Roland And Graphtek, does anyone have any experience with either of these two:

http://www.uscutter.com/Graphtec-8600-Series-Vinyl-Cutter

http://www.uscutter.com/Roland-Vinyl-Cutters-Roland-GX-PRO-CAMM-1

Thanks SO much for your guys opinions, it helps a lot!

Bham · February 24, 2016

Computer Cut has a nice DGI plotter that is designed to work with Tint, Vinyl, & PPF. The one we have is a 60" and works great with just about any film we have put in it. I am not familiar with any others. Just giving you feedback on what I have worked with. :thumb

McCoyH · February 24, 2016

Computer Cut has a nice DGI plotter that is designed to work with Tint, Vinyl, & PPF. The one we have is a 60" and works great with just about any film we have put in it. I am not familiar with any others. Just giving you feedback on what I have worked with.

Thank you I'll check it out

McCoyH · March 11, 2016

Don't limit yourself to "tint" . Cut graphics can be very lucrative.

Signs101 is a great resource.

Our shop has Summa and Allen Plotters and HP printers.

Get something that will accommodate at minimum 60" film .

I'm not the guy that plays with them so I could not say this or that is "better"

I would have to agree with WTFhat. I have seen a few instances where my flat glass guy could not have done some jobs properly if he hadn't had a 60" plotter. If you can get one, I would go for 60" just to make sure you are not limited.

I would have to agree with WTFhat. I have seen a few instances where my flat glass guy could not have done some jobs properly if he hadn't had a 60" plotter. If you can get one, I would go for 60" just to make sure you are not limited.

We got a 72in plotter just so we could handle any job that may come to us.

Computer Cut has a nice DGI plotter that is designed to work with Tint, Vinyl, & PPF. The one we have is a 60" and works great with just about any film we have put in it. I am not familiar with any others. Just giving you feedback on what I have worked with.

About to pull the trigger, but I'm curious, how much time does a plotter really save you? It takes one person here an average of 20 - 30 minutes to cut out all roll-ups, 1/4s and back windshield. How long does it take you guys with a plotter (on a vehicle obviously)

And do you usually need to adjust the blade when cutting different brands of tint if the thickness is different between the two brands?