Full Version: Anyone using Direct Color Systems (DCS) equipment?
From: gt350ed [#1]
9 Apr 2006
To: ALL
If so, I would like to further the discussion but, for the moment, I'm looking to see if there are any DCS users here.
Thanks.
EDITED: 9 Apr 2006 by DGL
From: LARRY (CENTURYBADGE) [#2]
10 Apr 2006
To: gt350ed [#1] 10 Apr 2006
We purchased the Millenium model a few months ago and are very happy with it. We use it for full color badges and it works fine. We also do sublimation but find the Digital color much faster when doing volume. Both processes have their plus and minuses. There are seveal similiar manufactures out there that I was not aware of when I purchased the Millenium. Check them out and see what the difference is.
Larry
From: John (ICTJOHN) [#3]
10 Apr 2006
To: gt350ed [#1] 10 Apr 2006
Ed,
I do not have that system but have been looking at it for a year (must not need it very bad if I have not made a decision yet)
I looked at it several more times at L-V and the salesman must have been getting annoyed at all of the questions and said to "go think about it and call me next week, I'll give you the same pricing". Well, I was ready to buy there but with his comments, I left just thinking about it, so I still have not bought it. It is kinda pricey by the time you buy everything you need to start up, then I got real concerned about the warranty (lack of) on the print head. I believe it was covered for 90 days, then prorated for the rest of 1 year, then $700. to replace. I liked that it was able to do many sizes and different materials where another brand that was at the show only did 1 size and used their special material but I thought the print mechanism was better even tho the price was higher.
So I am still "hangin in there" :S
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#4]
10 Apr 2006
To: John (ICTJOHN) [#3] 10 Apr 2006
I spoke to one owner, who he felt he didn't get enough yield from the (expensive) ribbon to warrant much use of the machine.
That's only one opinion and other owners of the system may have an entirely different opinion.
From: awardgirl (LDWYER) [#5]
10 Apr 2006
To: ALL
We bought our system last year - we have been very pleased with the results (and so have our customers) - we also use sublimation but the FRP is so much thicker and this seems to have a better perceived value.
Also customer service has been very good - they walked us through our first printing. I agree - much easier for large batches.
From: Birdman (TBIRD1957) [#6]
10 Apr 2006
To: ALL
I have a MagiCard Turbo.
Works great and I have never had a problem with it.
Ribbons run about $70.00 for 250 full color imprints. It
makes beautiful name tags. You can get the standard blanks,
PVC type which are about .030 thick or the thicker ones which
are about .060. I use both depending on the customer. You can
also order some blanks from a IPI distributor and get some that
are .o60 thick and they have a core color to them, plus gold w/black
or silver w/black.
I set everything up in Corel and then just print to the MagiCard.
Very simple and a great money maker.
Check out Ebay for Magicard Turbo or Magicard 300. Very resonable.
From: LipChip [#7]
11 Apr 2006
To: gt350ed [#1] 11 Apr 2006
I've seen samples of the DCS imaged products, and spent long periods of time at the recent ARA Show (as the booth I worked in was back to back on a corner at the show) talking to them.
As you know, and many of the other engravers here on the forum, I also work with several other direct flatbed printers to include those from www.swi-usa.com (using a special thermal heat activated ink) which print directly to many products like the DCS products.