Vinyl cutters are ideal tools for many crafters and commercial businesses. They are machines that cut vinyl or other materials into specific designs. These cutters come in various sizes, but the ones we usually see at home are the size of a desktop printer.
There are countless ways you can use vinyl cutters. Many businesses use them to create custom vinyl designs. Signage, cards, and sewing items made on a larger scale are also made from vinyl cutters. People who love making do-it-yourself crafts use vinyl cutters to make adhesive decors for their cars, windows, walls, and more.
Do Vinyl Cutters Only Cut Vinyl?
Although the name of the cutter includes the word “vinyl,” this device can cut many other materials, too. For example, one of the Roland vinyl cutters is compatible with vinyl, paint masks, reflective vinyl, twill, heat transfer, sandblast materials, urethane paint protection films, and more.
Furthermore, some premium-quality models work with paper, tissue paper, card stock, thermal transfer materials, reflectives, and many more. Some models can emboss designs on materials like wood and aluminum.
If you’re curious, be sure to read our latest article that explains whether a Cricut is the same as a vinyl cutter.
Types of Vinyl Cutters
All vinyl cutters have one thing in common: they each use a blade to create desired shapes with provided materials. Depending on their connectivity and data-gathering method, we can categorize vinyl cutters into two main groups: computer-operated cutters and manual cutters.
Computer-operated cutters are connected to a computer with a cable. Manual cutters are manually operated and use a cartridge. Computer-controlled cutters are a better option if you want to create more sophisticated cutouts.
In addition, there are cutters that are designed specifically for home, workshop, and commercial use. The home models are designed for light use and are intended for hobbyists, startups, and DIY crafters. This kind of machine is small in size and best for the creation of small cutouts. However, you might not find many material options that work with home-use cutters.
The workshop cutter can be used for a broader range of purposes than the home-use types. This mid-range cutter works with more materials and is suitable for small businesses. These vinyl cutters are also more costly than home-use models.
Commercial vinyl cutters come with advanced features that are suitable for bigger operations. This sort of machine usually works on larger printing surfaces and effectively tackles complex designs. Commercial machines cut designs faster and with better accuracy.
Usage of Vinyl Cutters
Vinyl cutters are used by commercial industries, professional crafters, and people who love to create DIY crafts from materials like vinyl. In the commercial space, sign-making industries are the top users of vinyl cutters.
Vinyl Cutter Usage for Crafting
The cutouts you get using vinyl cutters have endless applications. Many DIY enthusiasts and craft businesses use vinyl cutters to create banners, decals, letters, stickers, labels, three-dimensional objects, vinyl decals, cards, t-shirts, origami, and apparel decorations.
Vinyl Cutter Usage for Commercial Space
Vinyl cutters are popular in a wide range of industries with distinctive needs. Many industries use vinyl-cutting machines to produce the materials they need to complete their products such as:
- Magnet and magnetic sheets: Many industries use vinyl cutters to create thin magnetic sheets. Companies that produce and customize refrigerator magnets also invest in vinyl cutters.
- Apparel and accessories: Apparel companies leverage the benefits of vinyl cutters for a variety of purposes. These machines are used to create various apparel and accessories like t-shirt patterns, clothing decorations, bags, hats, and many more. Some businesses also create logos, patterns, labels, and letters for merchandise using vinyl cutters.
- Advertisement: Vinyl cutters are often used to create advertisement designs and signs for cars, vans, and banners.
- Upholstery: Companies that make attractive stickers for home interiors use vinyl cutters. Typically, they make sticker cutouts for windows, doors, walls, and other facades of households.
- Signage: No sign printing business is complete without vinyl cutters. The industry uses this machine to create signs for surfaces like doors, walls, and windows.
In Summary
Different types of businesses use vinyl cutters for various purposes. However, vinyl cutters are not limited to commercial projects—home crafters and small businesses also use vinyl cutters to achieve their goals.
Want to know which tools you need to vinyl wrap your vehicle? Be sure to check out our article on vehicle vinyl wrap equipment!
