While investment in a quality wide-format printer is obviously crucial for sign-makers, the same must also be said when it comes to purchasing finishing equipment. To put it simply, companies that skimp on finishing technology put the quality of the final application in jeopardy, and this in turn could cost valuable clients and repeat business. For example, you may have printed a vibrant, eye-catching set of window graphics, but if the cut on the graphics is not up to scratch, this could undo all the hard work you did during the printing process. The same applies to floor graphics, with poor quality cutting leading to untidy edges that take the shine off the print job and, potentially, even trip hazards for those walking over the graphics. One way to ensure first class finishing is to invest in a quality flatbed vinyl cutter. SignLink speaks with manufacturers and suppliers in this market to learn more about some of the latest advancements in this technology and how it can help sign-makers further improve the quality of their output. Opening up Opportunities Up first is ArtSystems, which offers a range of flatbed vinyl cutters from Summa. John Draycott, who oversees marketing at ArtSystems, says flatbed cutters offer both greater productivity with their ability to automate and manage larger sizes of varied materials. “This is not limited just to vinyl, but also covers corrugated boards, foamboards, MDF boards, PVC, acrylic, magnetic materials, aluminium composite media, roll material, and textiles like mesh fabrics, flags, and banners,” Draycott says. “The ability to automate large print finishing jobs and to take on jobs that use a wide range of substrates allows sign-makers to expand their portfolio of applications. The Summa F1612 for example has helped hundreds of sign-makers take their business to new levels with the greater output they can take on. Larger volume jobs and the ability to print and cut on exotic substrates means they can offer different solutions to clients. Closer integration between print software, the printer, and the cutter mean they get a full managed workflow.” Draycott goes on to say that depending on the business type and size, then a flatbed cutter may not be the most suitable choice. However, for those companies looking to expand, take on new work, and bolster production, they are often the ideal solution. “If a sign-maker is reliant on manual print A CUT ABOVE THE REST Quality cutting is critical to the final look of both wide-format print and signage applications. Here, we take a look at some of the latest flatbed vinyl cutters available to the market and the core benefits they offer to users ▲ The Graphtec FCX4000-60 is one of several flatbed cutters available from Granthams GT 53 Issue 250 - December 2023 / January 2024 email: news@signlink.co.uk FLATBED VINYL CUTTERS
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