Does anyone here have a 'Plotter'

[Peter Butler]

For some time now I have been using self adhesive vinyl lettering on my rolling stock, which I had specially made by a commercial printing firm. I was led to believe they were produced by laser cutting, but now I have been searching for more I have been told they are in fact made by a 'Plotter' machine!
No-one locally can offer this service as it is too small a job to take on economically. Therefore, if anyone here on the Forum has such a machine at home for hobby use I would love to hear from you.
The white, self adhesive, vinyl sheet I have is marked 'Metamark signvinyl' on the reverse and is ideal for my purpose.

[philipy]

Peter,
"plotters" are simply large printers usually capable of printing on at least A1 and larger and normally capable of taking large rolls of paper rather than individual sheets, and found in architects offices, printing companies, etc.

There are then specialist plotters which do what you want, if you look around the cheapest I can see at the mo is about £150 although I found this 2nd hand one on ebay:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/283811555125?r ... %3DDefault

Having said all that, I'll be surprised if anyone has one at home, but you might just be extremely lucky and find we have a member who works for a sign makers.

If you just want to print on vinyl sheet, you can do that at home with a laser printer, but you'd then have to cut out individual letters by hand.

[Peter Butler]

Thanks Philip, that appears to be what is needed, however I only want to produce one A4 sheet, I wouldn't have a clue how to set it up (presumably with a PC?), and finally.... collection only from Macklesfield, or anywhere else for that matter.
I hoped for someone who had such a machine to offer to supply just a single sheet, for which I am prepared to pay.

[Puddlejumper]

I would have a look at a Silhouette Cameo cutter, A4 sized and can do quite a bit more than just cutting vinyl.
Not on stock on Amazon but I'm sure Google will be your friend
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cameo-Silhouet ... B00P2H8ZBM
Hope this helps

[Peter Butler]

Thanks Doug, again, that would possibly do the job but two of the affore mentioned concerns still apply.

[Busted Bricks]

A heck of a lot of housewives have a Cricut or Silhouette vinyl cutter and run hobby business, making all sorts of decorative items. It's had quite an impact on the signage industry. If you are on Facebook, search for "Silhouette UK" or "Cricut UK" and you will find several groups. Should be possible to find someone nearby who will cut some items for you.

[Peter Butler]

Thanks for that BB, fortunately (for me) I don't touch the dreaded facebook and have no intention of so doing, but I will search eBay for such a service.

[IanC]

Peter,

You may wish to contact Alan Beattie at "The Bespoke Signs & Prints Shop" mob: 07803 339742 Tel: 01744 632370 email: thebespokeshop@yahoo.co.uk I have seen him at model railway shows in the Warrington area producing vinyl lettering for the modeller and he does appear to do small runs so he may be cost effective for your needs. As far as I am aware he doesn't have a web site. I have not used his services, so I am unable to vouch for his prices or quality. I kept his business card just in case I had a need in the future. I hope he proves useful.

[Peter Butler]

Thank you Ian, that sounds like a promising lead, I'll let you know.

[IanC]

Happy to help Peter,

I may use him myself at some point. I have an idea for some private owner type wagons and vinyl lettering may be the solution if I go ahead.