Computer Cutters and Graphics

[Guest SHOMEURTINTS]

I've heard so much about the CAD tint cutters. They are very expensive and there are alot of them on the market. Are they worth the money? What kind is best? Does anyone do graphics and advertising using tint and a cutter? Would appreciate any information on these machines or expanding into this portion of the tint business.

[Guest darkdan]

My brother used to work at a shop with a plotter that did the tint cutting.

He said it worked almost all of the time really well. The problem is if you pick the wrong model (like EX instead of LX) and it cuts out places for the rear defrost or something that isn't there.

He said it was weird at first adjusting to it because there's extra tint around the edge of the cut. The plotter only cut through the tint and not the liner too.

Unless you're doing 40 cars a day, have 5 guys working for you, and have just one guy doing the machine....what's the point of spending all that money?

[Guest shrink]

Good point darkdan, it's like any business -- if you have enough volume to afford one of those machines then it might be worth it. If you're only tinting a few cars a day, then you're gonna have to charge alot more per car to pay for the plotter. I wouldn't look into getting one unless you're doing so much business that you can't handle it.

[Guest nautiboi73]

Good point darkdan, it's like any business -- if you have enough volume to afford one of those machines then it might be worth it. If you're only tinting a few cars a day, then you're gonna have to charge alot more per car to pay for the plotter. I wouldn't look into getting one unless you're doing so much business that you can't handle it.

ditto

unless you have plans to use it for graphics and tint art. then that might be. ok nope sorry, still not worth it. but plays a factor.

[Guest BCCwintint]

My supplier told me that these machines run about 5 grand, that's a lot of porterhouse steaks! I don't do enough tint work to get one of those (yet!) But ya never know. Until then, I'll buy the steaks for my Traeger barbecue!

[tintguy]

I've been considering it. But I'm by myself. How much time can you really save...

The only option that's really worth it is the graphic aspect. Although that can be a real pain in the butt and very time consuming.

My opinion NOT WORTH IT

[Guest SHOMEURTINTS]

How do you do the tint graphics for businesses or back windows of cars? I have heard about this franchise that is supposed to be a great money maker. Franchises to me equals "find out how they are doing it, and do it yourself". The franchise is www.solargraphics.com. Anyone know of them or use them? How do you do custom graphics with tint by hand? I'm no artist. I can't even color within the lines!!

[Protint]

I'm no artist. I can't even color within the lines!!

Then the 25k buy-in with solargarphics might be what you are looking for.

As far as a computer cutter if you are by yourself useing it just for patterns then it doesn't save you time. If your not used to filing your edges you have to with the plotter because all the edges are uneven. But I have found that most installers using the plotter around here don't bother and send out uneven edges.

It is nice for graphics but like mentioned earlier you have to do alot of graphics to make up for the cost. Flames are played out around here already so nobody wants them anymore.

[Guest High Octane Tinting]

I cut my graphics by hand, nothing dratic though, just some flames and tribal designs. I finally replaced my broken digital camera, maybe I can post some pics now.

[Guest ttech]

I have been selling plotters for 25 years ,I got my start from being a sign painter and had seen these new automated machines. Loving machinery I purchased one and the rest was history because of the volume capacity ,I had I grew my business was able to handle more jobs. I now sell these machines to many industries ,one being the tint industry .I have studied actual tint shops who are producing 30 plus cars per day plus graphic work and chip protection films. In talking with some of these shop owners another value is that with a new tinter they only need to train on installation not the cutting. I remember all the old sign painters saying the machine will never be as good as they were and within a few years they were forced to buy into the technology or get out of business . I know it does not fit with all shops but anyone wanting to grow there business in a scientific manner should look closely .