For a while now I’ve had an itch to answer a question that no one was asking and might not even care about I’ve wondered if signs look better when carved with a CNC vs signs using a Cricut vinyl cutter. Aside from just the overall look, I wondered which signs were faster, easier, and cheaper to produce.
I made a total of 6 signs: 3 different designs, 2 versions of each design. I did my best to keep them the exact same, but each machine has its own limitations and advantages. All signs looked good, and people looking to make money can be successful using both methods. I think there are times when a CNC carve is preferable over Cricut vinyl, and the reverse. That said, I definitely formed my own overall opinion about which are better.
Anyone here have experience comparing the two, or selling the two and seeing which sell better? I’d love to hear your experience.
I’ve included some images below that show both sets of signs. I made a video that breaks down the details of speed, ease, and cost. If that interests you, feel free to check it out. I’m not a professional woodworker of videographer, so keep your expectations low https://youtu.be/yn0WJrwstU0
I have 30 years of experience in vinyl graphics, I have a 30" vinyl plotter in the garage and am currently waiting on my Elite Foreman so that I can go on to doing a whole different type of signage.
The two are not even comparable. The whole reason I want the CNC is for DEPTH. The designs you pictured in CNC are very nice looking and clean, but I feel like they don’t show off the advantage the CNC has and that is dimension.
I don’t use the vinyl for much by itself these days besides names and numbers for boats. Other than that, on wood, I use it as a paint mask. Think graphics on cornhole boards type uses.
We run a CNC a Cricut and 3 laser engravers
All get used for different tasks and I wouldn’t be without any of them in fact I am looking to add a 2nd CNC later this year.
They each perform their own tasks,
The Cricut gets used a lot to cut out rubber gaskets for the CNC vacuum table, also sometimes you need bright colours things that you cant get in a machine
Agreed that they each have their uses. I would love to add a laser engraver to my set of tools. Do you use a laser engraver on the Onefinity, or do you have an engraver that you would recommend?
I may do a follow up adding more depth and complexity to designs. I’d love to do some 3D carves as part of that, but that will all be new territory for me. The depth and dimension that CNCs give truly is awesome. Using vinyl as a cornhole stencil is fantastic. The first few sets of boards I made were done with hand cut stencils many years ago. Vinyl stencils save a lot of time!
For small items in large batches I use an Xtool F1
For larger items I use an Ortur Laser Master 2 Pro upgraded to 10W
I did use the Onefinity when I first brought it with the original laser however I felt that it wasn’t achieving the feeds and speeds for efficient use due to the size and weight of the whole moving X and Z assembly, there is a lot of metal work and spindle weight when compared to a purpose built laser engraver.
The other reason for separate machines is that in my workshop the engraver engraves items that the CNC cuts and it can only do one thing at a time, but it is a commercial enviourment.
I have the original they have brought out 2 new versions, one without the IR laser and also one with a higher powered diode.
The plus is the speed it can engrave at the downside is the size it can engrave.
Read the literature very carefully as they big up the pluses but dont state the limitations and omit a lot of things that it wont do.
If you buy the sliding table it wont work with Lightburn and also reduces the engraving speed.
The repeat button or foot pedal again wont work with Lightburn.
That said for what i brought it for it is great,
This morning I have a job to engrave text and a logo on wooden labels sadly each label is different, i have 150 to do which is a fairly common order, they are roughly the size of a credit card and it is the best machine for the job that i could find.
The smoke extract is great however on big run i tend to leave the shield up and wear eye protection, there is only me in the workshop.
I’ve wondered if signs look better when carved with a CNC vs signs using a Cricut vinyl cutter. Aside from just the overall look, I wondered which signs were faster, easier, and cheaper to produce.
https://youtu.be/yn0WJrwstU0
