Desktop vinyl cutter

[spitfire4v8]

Hi all not sure if this needs to be in this section but can't think where else to post ..

I want to create some small stickers (only a few inches wide) .. Just lettering/numbers - no fancy graphics.

The world is now full of vinyl cutters, but some of them don't do intricate cuts, so I'm wondering if anyone has a recommendation for something that doesn't need its own room and sub station .. ie will fit on a table top.

I'm not going to be making big signs, or sign-writing vans .. I just want to make some small stickers for car engine bays with words and numbers on.

Any ideas ?

[CrossMember]

I had much the same need as you and got a Silhouette Cameo from MDP. I have no affiliation with them, I just found them on Google and saw that they do nice starter bundles which makes ordering all the bits easy.

https://www.mdpsupplies.co.uk/silhouette-cameo4-pa...

Pleased with it overall. Simple to use and I got really good results out of the box.

I only needed it once, and since that job was done it has sat on the desk awaiting some future purpose.

[Spanna]

CrossMember said:

I had much the same need as you and got a Silhouette Cameo from MDP. I have no affiliation with them, I just found them on Google and saw that they do nice starter bundles which makes ordering all the bits easy.

https://www.mdpsupplies.co.uk/silhouette-cameo4-pa...

Pleased with it overall. Simple to use and I got really good results out of the box.

I only needed it once, and since that job was done it has sat on the desk awaiting some future purpose.

Does that come with the software to cut from? It’s certainly a cheap starter option.

[Kev_Mk3]

Interesting as I am also looking for the same. I will link what I was looking at later but the one listed looks decent. Regards replacement parts / sticker stuff is it easy to get hold of?

[PerfectDark]

Spanna said:

Does that come with the software to cut from? It’s certainly a cheap starter option.

Yep, Silhouette make an application that handles this (Silhouette Studio) which is Mac / PC based. Cricut machines also come with the software to do it - a bonus of Cricut machines is they have an iOS app as well which is handy if you use an iPad to do design work. (I've installed Silhouette machines for a customer of my employers and a family member has a Cricut machine). Either of them will work fine - it's mostly a matter of personal preference.

Edited by PerfectDark on Tuesday 22 October 15:19

[CrossMember]

Spanna said:

Does that come with the software to cut from? It’s certainly a cheap starter option.

Yes, it comes with a free version of it's own software, called Silhouette Studio, which is definitely aimed at hobbyist users, so not complicated. The free version is more than enough for the basics of importing an image, setting up the outline and sending it to the cutter, and is quite nice to use. Plenty info and how-to vids on youtube if you get stuck. There are upgraded (paid) versions with more features, but you're unlikely to need more unless you're running a sticker business from home.

[Spanna]

CrossMember said:

Spanna said:

Does that come with the software to cut from? It’s certainly a cheap starter option.

Yes, it comes with a free version of it's own software, called Silhouette Studio, which is definitely aimed at hobbyist users, so not complicated. The free version is more than enough for the basics of importing an image, setting up the outline and sending it to the cutter, and is quite nice to use. Plenty info and how-to vids on youtube if you get stuck. There are upgraded (paid) versions with more features, but you're unlikely to need more unless you're running a sticker business from home.

£291 is a decent deal for that setup. I use MDP for sign supplies regularly so can vouch for their service. I use Graphtec cutters and a Roland printer, was surprised by how cheap that cutter was especially with the extras it comes with. Only 305mm cut width but ideal for a hobby type or to learn about graphics.

[Sporky]

The price of a printer/cutter would pay for a lot of lettering. If it's not an ongoing need then I'd be inclined to skip the pain and have someone else do it.

If it is an ongoing need then my apologies for misunderstanding.

[sgrimshaw]

I clearly need one of these as I don't have one already.

What does it do?

[Sporky]

They make vinyl stickers, which is pretty ace.

[Murph7355]

I have a Silhouette CraftRobo C330 or similar.

Very nice machine and easy to use.

Bought it to make our wedding stationery with 9yrs ago and has come in handy on the odd occasion since.

They can cut plenty of different materials, and can also use register marks to allow you to cut round pre-printed materials (bit tricky to do this so expect plenty of waste!).

You can also use them as plotters.

[Cupramax]

Interesting to see how cheap these machines are now, I worked for a company that made pro level cutters for the sign writing industry back in the late 80’s, sadly now no longer in business but I guess taking on companies the size of Roland was never going to end well.

[spitfire4v8]

Excellent replies many thanks .. I had seen the silhouette cameo during my travels on t'web but didn't know if it was aimed at the craft market ie pretty flower stickers to make birthday cards etc but seems it's a versatile machine, will probably go for that in the absence of any other recommendations.

In my case it's to make engine bay stickers with the bhp/torque numbers the car has made whilst being tuned and company name stickers if anyone wants that on their car too .. as such they need to be made on the day rather than send away for them, so a small home vinyl cutter will be perfect. I'm more than happy to pay 300 pounds for that convenience.

thanks all

[Kev_Mk3]

spitfire4v8 said:

Excellent replies many thanks .. I had seen the silhouette cameo during my travels on t'web but didn't know if it was aimed at the craft market ie pretty flower stickers to make birthday cards etc but seems it's a versatile machine, will probably go for that in the absence of any other recommendations.

In my case it's to make engine bay stickers with the bhp/torque numbers the car has made whilst being tuned and company name stickers if anyone wants that on their car too .. as such they need to be made on the day rather than send away for them, so a small home vinyl cutter will be perfect. I'm more than happy to pay 300 pounds for that convenience.

thanks all

If you do please keep us posted as I am interested myself for similar reasons & club stickers rather than out sourcing them

[Sporky]

spitfire4v8 said:

In my case it's to make engine bay stickers with the bhp/torque numbers the car has made whilst being tuned and company name stickers if anyone wants that on their car too .. as such they need to be made on the day rather than send away for them, so a small home vinyl cutter will be perfect. I'm more than happy to pay 300 pounds for that convenience.

That makes perfect sense. It'll likely pay for itself pretty quickly.

[The_Jackal]

If you are a beginner, it would be interesting to see how you get to grips with the designing and cutting of what you want, and what sort of stickers you come up with.
I assume when you say stickers you will just layer up vinyl cut letters and outlines.
From what I've seen, the process of using transfer tape etc to build up designs can be quite fiddly.

[essayer]

We bought a Cricut and it works well. Easy to use.
Look on Alibaba etc for vinyl suppliers.

[epinettes]

I bought a Silhouette Cameo 3 to make my own stickers. Has been brilliant

[The_Jackal]

Can you show us some of what you have done, to see what is possible.
Are we talking cutting out preprinted full colour designs or cutting out single colour vinyl?