From advertising signs to laminate flooring to cute, bug-eyed dolls, vinyl is one of America’s most reliable materials. This situation makes sense when you consider its durability, stain-resistance, and easy-to-work-with nature.
If you are looking to get the most out of your next vinyl project, having the right plotter blade is essential. If you already know what angle blade you need and what size pen you need to fit your blade in, only one question is left to answer before buying. Do you need a sure-cut plotter blade or an Econo-cut one? What is the difference, exactly?
Read on to get some help with choosing the blade that best fits your needs.
What Are Sure-Cut Plotter Blades?
Sure-cut plotter blades are our standard product. These blades are made in the USA with quality materials and methods that can only be found in American warehouses. This process ensures that each plotter blade is long-lasting and of the highest quality.
You never will need to worry about vinyl ears assuming that you pick the correct blade angle. You also do not need to worry about the blade dulling after only a few uses, which is an issue that many cheaper blades have.
You can purchase sure-cut blades from our shop that are produced by a vast variety of manufacturers. These blades come with 30, 45, and 60-degree angles and cost anywhere between $32 (for a lower-quality blade) and $236 (for higher-end alternatives).
Some projects require blades that have prices steering towards the latter, so you will need to determine whether you can afford this high price. If you cannot, Econo-cut blades may be the right choice.
How Are Econo-Cut Plotter Blades Different?
Eco-cut plotter blades are a low-cost alternative to their sure-cut counterparts. Rather than costing over $200, all Econo-blades cost under $30. For projects that require multiple sizes or shapes of blades, you may want to purchase a 5-pack of Econo-cut blades for $28 rather than sure-cut ones that cost much higher prices.
This steep decrease in cost comes at a price, of course: Econo-cut blades are made outside the U.S. This reality means that they may use lower-quality materials and manufacturing methods. While they are guaranteed to work and get you through your project, they are not designed for longevity. You will need to replace them much more frequently than you would sure-cut blades.
However, Econo-cut blades are not a bad option for those who have smaller or short-term projects to complete. They are also a great way to save money if you need to test various blades and see what is right for you. Once you try various angles/materials/sizes/shapes and determine which you prefer, you can then invest in the perfect sure-cut blade for your needs.
Deciding Which Is Right for Your Project
To decide which is right for your project, the first thing that you will need to do is carefully look at your budget. Even if you want to invest in sure-cut blades, Econo-cut alternatives may be a better financial decision. They work great and are similar to sure-cut blades in that they will function just as well for a shorter length of time. See how much money you have and work from there.
Even if you can afford an awesome pack of Sure-cut blades, though, this still does not make it the right choice for you. If you have a small project or one you never plan to repeat, you can likely get by with Econo-cut blades.
Are Econo-Cut Blades Ever the Right Choice?
In addition to being great for small projects, Econo-cut blades make for great ‘tester’ blades. If you are unsure of what blade angle you need for your specific vinyl cuts, you may want to get some cheap Econo-cut options and try them out. You can invest in a sure-cut one once you decide what you like best.
Econo-cut blades are also often the top choice for independent hobby crafters because they do not use them for nearly as many applications as a commercial facility would. They are easy to fit into plotter pens and work with, and you will not need to replace them immediately, assuming that you don’t overuse them or try to cut vinyl that is too thick.
Since hobbyists will not get any return on their investment after purchasing sure-cut blades, Econo-cut options are usually superior.
When Do You Need to Invest in Sure-Cut Blades?
On the flip side, those who use plotter blades for business and are looking to boost their ROI must invest in Sure-cut blades. If you use a plotter blade for commercial applications or plan to insert it into a business plotter machine, having American-made sure-cut blades ensures that all of your products will be consistent and high-quality.
This option will increase your brand reputation and customer satisfaction. In turn, you will get more purchases and grow as a business so that the sure-cut blades will pay for themselves.
Start Cutting Vinyl Today
Now that you know what type of plotter blade is right for your needs, it is time to begin finding the perfect one to begin your next project.
Contact us with any remaining questions that you might have on Sure-cut vs. Econo-cut plotter blades. Our experts are happy to help you find the right product or give you a quote for how much your materials will cost. We are happy to share our passion for vinyl crafting and plotter use, so we are excited to hear from you soon.
Simple Solutions International offers a full selection of plotter blades and plotter pens as well as a variety of useful tools for use in plotting and sign making, such as plotter adapters, masking film, spray mask, and other sign-making tools and accessories.