A mechanized drafting device, usually computer driven, incorporating a moving pen whose horizontal and vertical range in two dimensions is limited only by the size of the bed of the device.
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Flatbed plotters derive their name from their design: unlike roller plotters, they feature a stationary, flat surface where the material is placed. A movable beam carries the tools across the material, rather than moving the material itself.
The primary function of flatbed plotters is to cut various substrates without relying on traditional die cutters. These machines shape raw materials with precision, enabling applications such as creating boxes, stickers, signs, or other items depending on the machine's capabilities.
Flatbed cutters for roll materials vary significantly based on the types of applications they can handle, which, in turn, define their target markets. An equally crucial differentiator is the tools that can be mounted on the machine. These tools determine not only the range of tasks the plotter can perform but also the quality and method of execution.
Contrary to popular belief, the size of the machine is not the most critical factor when choosing a flatbed plotter. Instead, the first consideration should be its ability to process the intended materials. The machine’s size becomes relevant only when aligning with the dimensions of the materials and, in the case of printed materials, the required print capacity and maximum print size.
Lastly, software capabilities are another key factor in distinguishing flatbed plotters. While these machines typically come equipped with software, their ability to support a wide range of file formats can significantly influence the range and complexity of tasks they can perform.
Flatbed cutting plotters can cut different types of materials. The workability of a material is closely related to the choice of tools with which the machine will be equipped.
However, flatbed plotters tend to be used for processing soft materials such as paper, cardboard, adhesive, fabrics, foams and all those materials that have a low resistance to processing.
When discussing materials for flatbed plotters, it’s important to differentiate between those that can be cut using a drag knife, oscillating knife, or rotary knife.
Among these, PVC Forex® represents the hardest material that a flatbed plotter can typically handle, marking the upper limit of its cutting capabilities.
Flatbed plotters often perform more than just cutting. For example, creating boxes may require a second tool for creasing, while adhesive materials might need a half-cut. For tougher materials like Alu-dibond, high-density Forex®, Lexan, Plexiglass, or medium-density fiberboard—commonly used in the signage market—additional tools like specialized cutters are necessary to achieve precise results.
As you can see, flatbed plotters offer a wide range of options and customization possibilities to meet the unique requirements of various industries.
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If you're considering whether a flatbed plotter is right for your business, these machines can be a game-changer for graphic, packaging, and printing companies, effectively addressing five key needs. If any of these resonate with your operations, it might be time to invest in a flatbed plotter:
Flatbed plotters allow you to create prototypes swiftly, giving you and your clients a tangible preview of the final product. This accelerates project approvals by showcasing a polished version early in the process.
By bringing more production in-house, you can streamline workflows, reduce costs, and maintain better quality control. This minimizes organizational risks and provides greater flexibility over timelines and processes.
Flatbed plotters let you produce precisely what your customer needs without the constraints of minimum order quantities. Say goodbye to large runs solely aimed at offsetting high start-up costs.
Without a flatbed plotter, you're often dependent on external suppliers and pre-designed cutting dies. With one, you gain complete creative freedom to design and execute unique projects independently, tailored to your customers’ needs.
A flatbed plotter enhances your ability to meet tight customer deadlines. You can split production into smaller batches, enabling pre-deliveries and greater flexibility without committing to a single large production run.
Large Print Size – Flat-bed plotter printers are capable of handling materials up to 60 inches in width. This makes them ideal for printing large designs or blueprints on a single sheet, eliminating the need to split the design across multiple pages. As a result, you get enhanced accuracy in the final print. Regardless of the material size, plotter printers maintain consistent high-resolution quality throughout the entire print.
Versatility with Materials – Plotter printers can print not only on paper but also a wide range of materials like plywood, cardboard, plastic, and even aluminum. This versatility is perfect for businesses that need to accommodate various customer demands, allowing them to offer more diverse printing services.
Consistent Quality – One of the key benefits of a plotter printer is its ability to reproduce the same design repeatedly with no loss of quality. Whether it's a detailed line drawing or a large-format image, the printer ensures consistent, high-quality results every time.
Size – While the large print size offers the advantage of versatility, it can present logistical challenges. In a busy work environment, you’ll need to find a large space sufficient to house not only the printer but also to allow the printed material to feed through as well. However, technology has made this easier, with many large-format plotter printers now equipped with built-in Wi-Fi. This feature allows you to place the printer anywhere in your office for added convenience, without worrying about proximity to your computer.
Price – The cost of a plotter printer can be a significant barrier, especially for new businesses or those unfamiliar with this type of equipment. While the advanced technology does make plotter printers more expensive than traditional models, there are solutions to ease the financial burden.
Flatbed plotters offer several distinct advantages, but they are less suited for cutting large volumes of material compared to traditional die-cutting machines. This is because traditional die cutters are designed for speed and can complete high-volume tasks much faster.
However, it’s important not to directly compare the die-cutting processes of flatbed plotters with those of traditional machines. The two operate on fundamentally different methods and concepts. The choice between them should be guided by your production needs, particularly the volume of output you aim to achieve.
You might wonder if it’s possible to use both solutions. The answer is yes, and in many cases, this can be a highly effective strategy. Combining both technologies allows your business to address a broader range of requirements.
- Traditional die-cutting machines excel in handling high-volume production efficiently.
- Flatbed plotters provide flexibility, enabling you to switch between production methods based on cost-effectiveness and the quantity of materials to be processed.
By leveraging both solutions, your company can maximize efficiency, maintain cost control, and adapt to varying production demands seamlessly.
With a wide range of digital flatbed plotters available, selecting the right one can be challenging. To make an informed decision, consider these key factors:
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Focus on what your business requires now rather than what you might hypothetically need in the future. Overbuying features that you may never use can lead to unnecessary expenses. Prioritize a plotter that matches your current production needs for optimal efficiency and cost savings.
Look for a machine with a proven track record. Reliable plotters often come from long-established brands with decades of experience. Models that have been on the market for years, with regular updates, are typically a safe choice. Longevity of both the brand and the specific product indicates quality and durability.
A trusted seller enhances your confidence in the purchase. Choose dealers with long-standing experience selling the same model, as they likely have strong ties to the manufacturer, ready access to spare parts, and experienced technicians for training, upgrades, and repairs.
Quality after-sales service is essential for a machine you’ll use extensively over many years. Before purchasing, gather detailed information about the support offered, including costs, service packages, and assistance programs. Transparent and comprehensive support options indicate a reliable seller.
Ensure the plotter integrates seamlessly with the software you already use. Many manufacturers provide bundled software that adds significant value, such as tools for contour cutting or CAD programs for packaging design. Check if these offerings align with your workflow to maximize productivity.
By focusing on these factors, you can confidently select a flatbed plotter that fits your needs, offers reliable performance, and supports your long-term business goals.
Wide or small format printers might be a massive asset for whatever business. The main driver behind needing a larger or smaller format printer is the necessity to print materials that are larger or smaller obviously than what a standard printer is capable of printing.
Printer providers are useful for printing a variety of media in the visual communication field, from manuals, leaflets, brochures to posters and floor graphics and display racks, from advertising banners to signs and architectural projects. If you come up with the idea to produce any of the above-mentioned types of marketing or business materials, chances are good that you could benefit from having a wide or small format printer in your office.
There are many features and factors that might determine which printer is the right choice for your activity. Do you need to print in colour? What weight stock do you typically print on? Do you need to print on materials other than paper, such as vinyl or adhesives? Acrylic/plexiglass, aluminium or thicker PVC forex?
These questions are also essential when you want to apply a perfect finishing on printed materials. Flatbed plotters success and appeal are following an increasing trend in recent years. Flatbed plotters are called “flatbed” because, compared to roller plotters, they use a beam that moves the tools over the material rather than having the material moving under the beam, and the same material is placed on a flat surface.
The main function of these devices is that they allow the operator to cut several substrates without the use of a traditional die cutter. These machines therefore process the raw material by giving it a defined shape and are characterized by many different features as well as available in several formats. The choice of the machine size will then go hand in hand with the size of the material to be processed and, if it is printed, with the capacity and maximum print size that can be achieved.
You’re probably wondering how to figure out if you should really consider purchasing a flatbed plotter. These machines are an effective solution to meet five basic needs of graphic, packaging and printing companies. If you recognize yourself in these types of needs, you should probably carefully consider purchasing a flatbed plotter.
This is essential in helping you get a project approved by a client, because you’ll quickly be able to get an idea of what the finished project will look like, and you can show the final version to the customer right away.
By outsourcing less, you’ll be able to speed up your production processes and gain greater control over quality and costs. Producing in house is less risky from an organizational point of view and, having everything under control, you can better manage time and workflow.
With a flatbed plotter you will be able to produce the quantities requested by the customer without constraints and minimum production quantities. You will no longer be forced to produce large runs to reduce start-up costs.
Without a plotter you will often have to rely on an external supplier and adapt to pre-made cutting dies: in essence you will find yourself acting on projects already made by others. On the other hand, with a flatbed plotter, you’ll always be able to design and make original projects on your own.
By working with a flatbed plotter, you will have a better ability to respect customers’ deadlines. With this type of machinery, you can give yourself the possibility of making a pre-delivery with a shorter run, without necessarily having to make the entire batch in a single production process.
What we have just listed are the main advantages guaranteed by a flatbed plotter. This type of machinery, compared to a traditional die cutting machine, is less suitable for cutting large amounts of material. The reason is that the traditional die cutting machine is able to finish these processes much faster.
However, comparing flatbed plotter die-cutting processes with traditional die-cutting processes is a mistake to be avoided. This is because the processes are completely different, both in method and concept. When choosing a machine, it is necessary to have in mind what production volumes we want to achieve. It is the quantity that determines the final choice.
Flatbed plotters rise is therefore another relevant reason why today we are facing a tremendous growth of short runs that in percentage terms are even more valuable and profitable than longer runs. Marginality nowadays is obtained through small batches, made just in time.
By lingering on flatbed plotters, either in combination with printers or not, you can always process several types of materials. The workability of a material is closely related to the choice of tools with which the machine will be equipped. However, flatbed plotters tend to be used for processing soft materials such as paper, cardboard, adhesive, fabrics, foams and all those materials that have a low resistance to processing.
When we talk about these materials, we can make a distinction between those that can be cut by a drag knife, oscillating knife or rotary knife.
In terms of hardness, the hardest material to cut is PVC Forex®, which is the upper limit that a flatbed plotter can process. Flatbed plotters do not often just make cuts but, as in the case of boxes, need a second tool to make creases and foldings or, in the case of adhesives, need to make a half cut. Materials such as Alu-dibond, high-density Forex®, Lexan or Plexiglass, medium-density fiberboard, which are more suitable for the signage market, require the additional use of a cutter.
As you may have guessed, there are many options and customization possibilities for each specific business need.
For sure flatbed cutters perfectly match with materials printed on UV flatbed or roll-to-roll printers. Paper, cardboard and foamboard definitely need to be cut with blades and blades move perfectly onto flatbed cutters. UV printers provide the most versatile printing ability and can print on a wide variety of material. These printers produce the most durable products.
When it comes to flatbed cutting plotters, flexibility and adaptability reach their highest levels in terms of materials range. From very thin paper and vinyl to very hard materials such as thin acrylic or aluminium, there is no way to put a brake to flatbed cutters. Latest technologies enable users to smoothen their workflow thanks to the quick recognition of printing crop marks, thereby easily moving from the printing phase to the finishing one.
Ultimately, a digital cutting machine consists of a flat table area and a set of cutting, milling and scoring ancillary equipment mounted on an arm. This arm allows the cutter to move left, right, forwards and backwards. The printed sheet is placed on the table, and the cutter travels across the sheet along the programmed path to cut out the shape.
However, if you are looking to trim a low volume of large-format items (especially those printed on thicker, tougher materials such as Forex, Foam-board or R-board), digital cutting is the most recommended option.
There’s no need to pay for a custom die, also, you can create more intricate shapes via digital cutting solutions which in turn perfectly match with print providers’ needs. It is not by a chance that nowadays these two industries are joining more and more since printing presses, digital printing houses, sign industries are on the lookout of finishing systems to be combined with their wide or small flatbed printers.
And in this context, short runs contribute to prompt businessmen to invest in technologies like these, deemed more and more profitable to respond to market requests forthwith