Plotters are devices designed for large format printing. If the device can automatically cut the material, then we are talking about a cutting plotter.
Instructions
Step 1
Select the size of the plotter. In this case, we are talking not so much about the dimensions of the device itself, but about the formats with which it can work. Cutting plotters can be quite compact. Some of them do not exceed the size of the average printer. Such devices, as a rule, work with A4 and A5 formats. These are the so-called desktop plotters.
Step 2
If you need to work with large sheets, then you need floor plotters with a cutting width of more than 500 mm.
Step 3
Make a list of materials that you are likely to work with. If the resulting list turned out to be large enough, then purchase a universal plotter. Such devices work with most of the known types of materials.
Step 4
Do not purchase a high speed cutter unless you plan on using it to its fullest all the time. Such equipment is much more expensive.
Step 5
Find out the cutting accuracy you need. This parameter characterizes the minimum size of the cut out product. It is important to understand that cutting accuracy directly affects the price of a plotter. Do not purchase high precision equipment to work with large parts.
Step 6
Consider the need for an optical positioning function. It allows the plotter to automatically cut printed products on which special marks are applied. Usually, such plotters are purchased for a specific purpose, for example, to trim finished drawings.
Step 7
Pay attention to the set of knives and their parameters. For cutting photographic paper and other thin materials, knives with a sharpening angle of 45 degrees and an offset of 0.3 are suitable.
Step 8
Determine if you need additional features. Some plotters are equipped with the following items: LCD display, light pointer, material basket, roll holder, glove box and so on.
