Jump to content

Cost Per Cut - What is your average cost of film per car cut?

Ridler

By Ridler
in Plotters and Cutting Systems

Recommended Posts

Ridler

Ridler

Posted
Posted

I've looked around for a while on the site and did a bunch a different searches and couldn't find what I was looking for. So I thought it would be faster to just post a topic.

I've just bought a plotter and I'm in the process of selecting a software program for it. I'm curious to know what the the average cost of film is per car cut on the plotter? I'm not looking for an exact amount just a range. Such as 5% to 35% per car, depending on the car/truck or film your using.

Can anyone give me an idea? The cost should be very similar to cutting by hand although your waste should be minimized with the plotter.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
TomTint

TomTint

Posted
Posted

Your film is a fixed cost. Add up how many s/f the car requires and x it by your material cost....pretty simple. Your other soft costs will likely be different than someone else so that is irrelevant.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Tint Eastwood

Tint Eastwood

Posted
Posted

Spend some time looking around for tutorials on making profit charts with spreadsheet. My brother is very good with that type of chit and whipped one together for us. Pretty damn accurate and lays out how much....or how little :gasp, profit there is. It is applicable to everything we do. Auto, FG, solar shades , construction services, window sales. It is cool to look back monthly at each division and see the margins and stuff. But it is compiled in once place to get the big picture.

We find it to be helpful for setting realistic goals and knowing where/when money for material stock, advertisement, web development is more suitable. :twocents

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Ridler

Ridler

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Spend some time looking around for tutorials on making profit charts with spreadsheet. My brother is very good with that type of chit and whipped one together for us. Pretty damn accurate and lays out how much....or how little :gasp, profit there is. It is applicable to everything we do. Auto, FG, solar shades , construction services, window sales. It is cool to look back monthly at each division and see the margins and stuff. But it is compiled in once place to get the big picture.

We find it to be helpful for setting realistic goals and knowing where/when money for material stock, advertisement, web development is more suitable. :twocents

Thanks for the advice. Exactly what I was looking for. Let me know if you would be willing to share yours. Just the layout would be helpful.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  •   Sponsored by
    ride wrap

    Lexen

    tintwiz

    auto-precut.com

    signwarehouse

    martinmetalwork.com

    tinttek

    filmvinyldesigns

  • Activity Stream

    1. 3

      Help Needed! - Graphtec FC4100-75 - Software/Compatibility/Drivers/Communication/Blades/Setup

      Bump on this. I spoke with Film & Vinyl Design and the rep told me their cutting software contains the drivers for the Graphtec 4100 models. They also mentioned it will work with Windows 11. Any one have experience with this program, good or bad things to say about it?
      LuxAuto in Graphtec
    2. 5

      Need some help

      Push out all the air you can then… Heat up area with heat gun and use a hard card to press them down while everything is still fresh… don’t over heat prep work is key… you can also use masking tape on the gaskets and carefully peel the tape out once you have all the fingers out
      Klaveraid in Window Tinting - General Discussion
    3. 0

      Wtb Solar Gard Supreme NR 40

      Would like to buy a partial roll of the Solar Gard Supreme NR 40… needs to about 25ft x 30” plus and a 5% strip for the front windshield let me know if you could help out just a former window tinted here the has a new truck I wanna work on Thanks
      Klaveraid in Window Tinting - General Discussion
    4. 0

      Canadian Tinter Looking for work in US

      35 years old. Over 10 years in the field doing automotive tint and ppf. Currently managing / working as main installer in Edmonton, Alberta. Xpel/Suntek, DAP/Core experience. Long story short, Canada became boring and i would want to give US a shot. Love what i am doing, getting paid well for where i am but i know i can do more & its hard to jump higher than your head where i am. if there are shops that are willing to provide i good Canadian installer a job offer i would like to talk. P.S. Would love to be in the place that is busy year round.
      sasktinter in Classifieds • Employment • Marketplace
    5. 3

      Help Needed! - Graphtec FC4100-75 - Software/Compatibility/Drivers/Communication/Blades/Setup

      Dano - thanks for the input. Like I mentioned, the drivers are no longer available online or through Graphtec. I found a company "DriverGuide" online that says they have the most current drivers called "Graphtec FC4100 Driver Update Utility" they swear it fixes common communication errors, printer head glitching and operates on Windows 11 - they want $30 for a 3 moth subscription to their data base and claim to have the driver but I have also heard there is the possibility of using either another Graphtec driver, or also depending on the cutting software the driver for the plotter may be included in the software. I know FlexFilm's cutting program supports an FC4100-75 but have never seen a review on their software, its capabilities/functions, or its overall accuracy. I do not want to trash a perfectly good plotter. So I am not just going to jump into buying another plotter if I can get the one I got for free one working. It was working fine with the previous owner for vinyl sign making, stenciling, and window tint I watched it work. As much as I would love a newer FC Plotter, there are cheaper options out there that compare and will work with my current computers.
      LuxAuto in Graphtec
    6. 3

      Help Needed! - Graphtec FC4100-75 - Software/Compatibility/Drivers/Communication/Blades/Setup

      1. Try switching the output language from the machine. It's either set on HPGL or HPPL. 2. Check to see that you have the right driver. 3. You may need to run Windows XP. 4. Toss that whole rig in the garbage and find a used FC 8000-130 or 160.
      Dano in Graphtec
    7. 3

      Help Needed! - Graphtec FC4100-75 - Software/Compatibility/Drivers/Communication/Blades/Setup

      Hello all, I am new to owning a plotter and in need of some help. I recently inherited a working Graphtec FC4100-75 in amazing condition -near new - from a closing vinyl/tint business. It has a new cutting strip already installed and came with a blade (not sure what blade). The previous owner was using Tint-Tek and Flexi 6.1 on an archaic PC that cannot even connect to the internet anymore. As a side note I am not very tech savvy when it comes to terminology or linking the devices together, but I can read and comprehend things just fine. Part 1: I am trying to figure out how to get the Plotter properly connected and communicating to a new 2024 MacBook Pro M3 (OS Sonoma 14.4.1) or my 2022 Microsoft Surface Pro X (Windows 11) using the Serial-Com Port with a RS-232C adapter to USB-C. Currently I was able to get the plotter set up and even dialed in the test cutting properly for Vinyl and PPF with the blade it came with. On my old 2019 MacBook Air, I was also able to register the plotter as a "printer". At the time I had an active trial for Core just to test cutting capabilities, but it never cut any patterns once set up when I selected send to cut, it would only roll the material in/out. Since upgrading my Mac, I cannot get the Plotter to connect at all to the new Mac Book Pro - Have not tried with the Surface Pro yet - Need advise/help here, I was thinking of just designating the Surface Pro X to the shop if I can get it to work, but also happy go buy whatever will work (including a whole new PC with Windows 10). I am not able to find drivers for the plotter, so getting it to communicate properly is my main goal. Part 2: Knowing that this is an older legacy Graphtec plotter, I can imagine there isn't a ton of options out there that provide tint/ppf cuts that are compatible anymore and I need some help tracking down what will work best. As much as I love Core, I am not a high enough volume shop right now to spend what they want per month for both tint and ppf patterns - any solid alternatives that could work well? Avery VDT, Suntek, Llumar, or any ideas would help. I also plan to make custom vinyl decals so advice on other programs that work for this would help too, something like Digi-Cut, Flexi, or...? Part 3: Once I get everything set up and working properly, I am in need of some help picking out the right blades for cutting patterns for Carbon Tint, Ceramic Tint, PPF, & Vinyl. I can already set up all the specifics like Force, Speed, and Quality, but I am trying to figure out what blades I should be using with each material as there are a million options out there. I prefer Graphtec's Blades but I am coming from hand cutting everything. So not up to par on what works with what. Final Notes: I have read the entire Users Manual for the Plotter. Cover to cover, twice, and have only gotten this far. I spoke with Graphtec support but they did not have any help to offer, they told me it is an outdate model they no longer offer support with and recommended me asking around on forms or using a computer repair shop to get things connected. I spoke with a Computer Repair shop I have used for many things and they told me it would be $600 to $1,000 to have them come out just to get it connected to the computer and working properly. I am hoping with some guidance and industry knowledge here I can get it up and running for my business needs. I truly appreciate all the help I can get, otherwise I am just going to sell it and continue hand cutting everything (not ideal with the technologies we have available now-a-days). It really is like new and I'd hate to see it gone when I know there are answers. Thanks in advance for any help with this.
      LuxAuto in Graphtec
    8. 4

      At What VLT% does visibility start being impacted

      It is all subjective. You can NOT get a real answer except for yourself.
      Ryker in Window Tinting - General Discussion
    9. 0

      WE ARE HIRING - Window Tinter needed Waldorf MD 20602

      Vega Motorsport is expanding its Team we need an Experienced Automotive Glass Tinter Duties:- Install Automotive glass Film with a high level of quality, Be punctual and reliable in attendance, Perform miscellaneous job related activities. Requirements:- High School Diploma or GED, At least 2yrs experience in automotive glass tinting, Must have a valid driver's permit with a clean record, Keen attention to detail, Excellent eye coordination to detail, Ability to work in a fast pace environment, Courteous to staff and customers. Call 301 932 8342 or Send CV and cover letter to darrel@vegadetailing.com
      Vega Tinting in Classifieds • Employment • Marketplace
    10. 6

      Automotive Tint Comparison

      It's probably worthwhile mentioning that I live in a gets very hot in summer and mostly year long, and never gets to a point where snow fall is a concern. Record High Temperature: 48.9 Celsius or 120 Fahrenheit Mean maximum °C (°F): 38.8 C or 101.8 F Mean daily maximum °C (°F): 31.2 Celsius or 88.2 Fahrenheit Mean daily minimum °C (°F): 3 Celsius or 37.4 Fahrenheit Mean minimum °C (°F): 1.6 C or 34.9 F Record low °C (°F): -6 Celsius or 21.2 Fahrenheit To the USA based forum users, think: Dallas-Fort Worth Texas region (in particular around Denton/Sherman) Houston Texas Harlingen, Texas Orlando, Florida Tampa, Florida Lawton, Oklahoma San Diego, California Los Angeles, California San Jose, California Fresno, California Sacramento, California Puebla de Zaragoza in Mexico For Europeans, think: Spain (Cordoba) Italy (Palermo) Portugal (Lisbon) Greece (Athens, Crete, etc)
      MVOZ in Window Tinting - General Discussion
×
×
  • Create New...