Vinyl cutters and vinyl plotters are two popular tools in crafting, sign-making, and print production. Both machines use a small blade to precisely cut or plot onto paper, vinyl, cardstock, or fabric media sheets. Not sure which one you should purchase? Keep reading this blog to learn the differences between vinyl cutters and plotters.
Vinyl Cutters
A vinyl cutter is a versatile machine that uses a sharp blade to cut various shapes and designs into vinyl sheets. These machines can work with various materials, such as cardstock, vinyl, and wood. The material a cutter can carve depends on the specific model, as some have more capabilities than others.
Similar to a printer, these machines communicate with your computer to know what to cut into the material. Keep in mind that vinyl cutters are not ideal if you need a range of colors in your design, as they strictly cut the inserted material.
Common Uses
Both businesses and artists benefit from vinyl cutters when making single-colored decals, logos, and signs.
Vinyl Plotters
Vinyl plotters have more versatility than cutters because they have a pen for printing and a knife to cut the shapes. This allows users to create multi-colored graphics and designs for their projects. Additionally, vinyl plotters are better for large-scale projects such as creating posters and banners since they can print and cut larger quantities than cutters.
Keep in mind that vinyl plotters are more expensive than vinyl cutters, but that’s because they have more capabilities. However, if you need a tool to make vinyl prints and cut them, this option is worth the money.
Common Uses
Vinyl plotters are particularly popular in the signage and advertising industries, as they allow for the creation of high-quality graphics and lettering on a wide range of materials, including vinyl, plastic, and fabric.
Deciding Which To Buy
Knowing the differences between vinyl cutters and vinyl plotters helps you make the best purchase based on your business needs. When deciding whether to purchase a vinyl cutter or plotter printer, consider the types of projects you plan to complete.
Vinyl cutters are ideal for single-color decals and logos, whereas a vinyl plotter is better suited for multi-colored graphics and designs such as posters or banners. If you’re looking for versatility and efficiency, a vinyl plotter is the way to go!
Shop for Quality
Shop at Plotter Paper Guys for your vinyl plotter! Our Canon GP series includes plotters that can print vibrantly colored designs to create posters, decals, and other projects. Only buy the best-quality tools for your business to make certain every project has a perfect turnout.
