FLATBED VINYL CUTTERS | ROB FLETCHER of equipment is of paramount importance. He explains that no matter how good the print looks, it only takes an imprecise or inconsistent cut to undermine the end result – with the cutting machine having a huge influence on final output. “When investing in a flatbed cutter, versatility, accuracy, and workflow integration should be front of mind,” Edwards says, continuing: “Cutting is one of those areas where the impact of a poor choice quickly shows. “If a machine cannot handle different substrates, struggles with complex shapes or slows down production, it creates bottlenecks that will affect everything else. You risk wasting material, losing time on reworks, and limiting the types of jobs that you can take on. In a competitive market, that can cost far more in lost opportunity than the initial investment would have.” In addition to machine choice, Edwards says software is equally important. He notes how the CFX comes with cutting software that integrates with Mimaki’s RasterLink RIP, which he says makes it easy to line up printed graphics, optimise cutting paths, and reduced manual handling. “That means less time setting up and more time producing work,” Edwards says, adding: “Additionally, software companies including Arden and OptiScout offer powerful, feature-rich workflow solutions tailored to the CFX Series. A cutter that performs well on both the hardware and software side makes a real difference to throughput and finish quality.” For further support, Hybrid Services offers customers expert advice to ensure their CFX configuration is tailored to their exact applications. The company offer demonstrations, installation, full training, and ongoing technical support, which Edwards says allows sign-makers to hit the ground running. “Because the range is scalable and tool sets are flexible, we can help businesses grow their capabilities over time without replacing their entire system,” he says, concluding: “That combination of performance, workflow efficiency, and local support gives sign-makers the confidence to take on more work and deliver it at a consistently high standard.” For those seeking to enhance their cutting capabilities, the good news is there are plenty of solutions available to them. However, the challenge is to identify the machine that best fits in with your own requirements. Consider the type of work you produce, whether you need software for support or if you require additional training to get the most out of your new machine, and this will help guide you to the most effective solution. ▲Flatbed vinyl cutters can be supported by specialist, dedicated software solutions Beyond the cutting performance itself, a robust, modular design ensures long-term value and future scalability as customer needs evolve 55 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 262 - December 2025 | January 2026
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