Vinyl cutters are used for sign making and can cut vinyl lettering and graphics. They come in different sizes and can be used for small businesses or large commercial use. They are more accurate and efficient than hand-cutting or stenciling. While they are still used in many shops, they are being replaced by large format inkjet printers that can also reproduce photographs.
A vinyl cutter, often referred to simply as a plotter, is a piece of computing equipment often used for sign making. A vinyl lettering machine can be large or small and can be used to cut vinyl lettering and other graphics, to make everything from bumper stickers to billboards. The vinyl used is like a decal material, with a vinyl liner and an adhesive backing attached to a paper liner. Some types are more durable and made to withstand outdoor use. Heat-transfer vinyls are also available, for example for making T-shirts, which can be used with plotters.
While lettering was often stenciled, hand painted, or hand cut from vinyl in the past, a vinyl cutter does the job much more accurately and efficiently. An artist doesn’t need to make simple markings or writing on the wall, just some basic instructions. A true artist or designer will obviously be more versed in the use of space, color theory and other important factors, but being able to cut lettering with a vinyl cutter makes many simple lettering tasks easier and more attractive compared to other alternatives.
Some of the more compact versions of the vinyl cutter can be used with a desktop computer and printer. These versions are affordable and useful for small businesses, schools, clubs, churches, and even home use. Signs, posters, displays, and wall art can be created by typing verbiage or adding graphics. Instead of paying top dollar to decorate or advertise, lettering and graphics can be done in-house, without the dreaded stencils and spray paint marks that tend to look less professional.
Of course, there are commercial versions of the vinyl cutter as well. Some of these machines are very large and can cut lettering large enough to write entire walls of large buildings or be applied to huge billboards. Commercial plotters tend to cut quickly, not to mention accurately, and allow for simple adjustments that improve spacing. Various fonts, or letter styles, may not space certain letters accurately, and this can be adjusted with a process called kerning.
The vinyl cutter is still in use in many shops, but many are being replaced by large format inkjet printers. Imagine a massive printer that can print, or even mass-produce, a banner large enough to cover a billboard. These printers are also capable of creating more in-depth art and graphics and reproducing photographs, which a plotter cannot do.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
