Cheap Vinyl Cutters

1. Good driver support. It’s important that no matter what operating system or software you decide to use, you’ll be able to use your cutter. This also increases resale value, as the less platform specific it is, the more potential buyers you’ll have.
2. Size. It matters. Most of the calendered vinyl(Very common inexpensive vinyl) you’ll buy comes in 18″ roles. If your cutter can only cut can only cut 11″ you’re wasting 7″ of vinyl with every cut that you make. And that’s a best case scenario of using all 11″. Also consider that you can then only make graphics at are 11″ tall or wide. This is severely hindering if you’re looking to do anything that makes money. When it comes to cutting, bigger is better.
3. Parts. It’s important that your vinyl cutter have replacement parts available for it. At the very least, you’ll need blades. These are an expendable item. If they cost $50/set you’ve got a serious problem on your hands. Also, if you somehow damage your cutter, carriage, circuit boards, you’ll need replacements for those otherwise you’ve got a very expensive paper weight on your hands.
4. Community. It’s not just the new internet buzzword, it’s a real phenomena. If no one uses the cutter you bought, what happens when you run into an obscure problem? Or even a common problem? Its important to have a user base of people with a common goal. It’s also nice to have websites like this one to help out with issues.
5. Useability. Engineers design these machines, not sign cutters. If it’s difficult to use, it’s going to give you lots of headaches. Your job as a sign cutter is to take ideas and turn them into vinyl. Anything that hinders your ability to do that is costing you money. As an example: Does your cutter have a screen? Does the cutter your looking for allow you to change downforce from the machine? How easily can you change the origin?

I use the ProCut CR-630 and love it. It works great, and is VERY affordable for it’s size and quality. You can purchase one at http://www.JZGraphics.com However, I have owned several vinyl cutters before, and like the ProCut series enough to start selling them (And make a whole website supporting them) because I am confident in the product.