Vinyl cutter recommendations for a novice?
2Complete novice but interested in buying a vinyl cutter to make personalized mugs, signs, maybe t-shirts — to sell, but as a very limited gig. The cricut is seemingly a waste of money. I heard stuff good and bad about the cameo silhouette. Ideally I 'd like to spend about $300, but up to $450, if it’s worth it —- as who knows how that’s going to pan out. Maybe it’s successful; maybe not. Any suggestions, tips, recommendations for this endeavor?
- 9 comments, 14 replies
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Welcome to Meh. Just curious why you picked this website to get recommendations as your first post ever?
Why is the Cricut a waste?
@RiotDemon Most people [who think that] would say it’s the design software and also the fact you don’t own any designs you might create using the software. Also more limited on sizes you can cut or print.
Darn. I thought this was going to be about records.
@yakkoTDI we can make it be about records, doesn’t look like OP is coming back.
Part of me thinks this was a spam post, and Meh staff removed the shady links. Oddly enough, it sounds like something a regular would ask. Now I’m starting to think all you regulars are just spammers playing the long game and waiting for your opportunity to trick me into clicking on a spam link.
@capguncowboy A lot of us volmods end up just deleting the post if there’s nothing else of substance except spam.
@capguncowboy Why would you think we are all working the long game? Especially when there are such powerful tools to eliminate spam from your inbox like this handy anti-spam utility I found. Once my life was spam-free I was able to start eating a more healthy diet, and my workouts were more efficient thanks to this incredible dietary supplement. I still wasn’t sleeping well though, until I found this little miracle device.
@capguncowboy @ruouttaurmind
![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
What? No giphy, RU?
@mike808 Wouldn’t have been as stealthy. Unfortunately I was sabotaged because something went awry with the auto-play switch in my URLs.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
@capguncowboy If only you knew the money I’ve made off of all the toys & tools I’ve recommended.
@ruouttaurmind Try this one!
![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
Before you jump into cutting vinyl, you should start out with something easier, like cheese.
@mike808
when i cut the cheese everyone opens the windows.
Might I suggest this to cut vinyl.
@djslack “Might I suggest this site to cut vinyl.”
Thanks for suggestion. This was pretty cool.
@djslack @Rizzzz
““Might I suggest this site to cut vinyl.”
Thanks for suggestion. This was pretty cool.”
Thanks for the suggestion-suggestion. I found it very useful.
In case the OP does come back to this thread and wants an answer to the question, several of us here have different Cameos. I personally have both the 3 and 4. I got the 4 (new) from Woot when it was on sale for $199, which is $100 off list price. I also upgraded the software to Business Edition so all of the software’s capabilities are unlocked.
I have the original Cameo at work. The Silhouette software is reasonably powerful as it is, I didn’t even realize there was anything to unlock!
Granted, for what I do I’m usually just importing artwork as JPG and tracing it. I didn’t know I could upgrade to import vectors, that’s good to know.
Regardless, it does everything I need it to do, which realistically isn’t much. When I first got it I primarily used it to make stencils for our cases that I would then spray paint, as well as decals for a few vehicles. Great, flexible product.
@smigit2002 If you do decide to upgrade, purchase the upgrade from Swing Design. They always have the upgrades at discounted prices.
@smigit2002 I upgraded to business edition so I could run more than one machine at a time.
One Cameo 1, two 3s, one 4 plus (15" cutting width), and a Curio. I also have a Mint, which runs on it’s own software.
I used to do screen printing, pad printing for promo ad products. etc. It’s way more lucrative than vinyl.
Get a good screen press or even start out with a heat press and work up from there.
Thanks friends for your valuable feedback
Well that was a new fun spamming game. A little slow paced, and lost quickly, but an interesting attempt nonetheless.