What Is the Difference Between a Vinyl Cutter & Plotter?

Vinyl cutters and laser cutters are both computer-controlled machines used to cut materials, but they work in different ways and have different capabilities.

Vinyl cutters use a blade to physically cut through the material, while laser cutters use a laser to burn through the material. This means that vinyl cutters can only cut through materials that are relatively thin, while laser cutters can cut through thicker materials.

Vinyl cutters are also limited in the types of materials they can cut, while laser cutters can cut a wide variety of materials, including metals, plastics, and wood.

Vinyl cutters are typically used for cutting vinyl, which is a type of plastic film that is used for making signs, decals, and other graphics. Laser cutters can be used for a wider variety of applications, including cutting metal parts, fabricating jewelry, and creating prototypes.

Vinyl cutters are typically less expensive than laser cutters, but laser cutters are more versatile and can produce higher-quality cuts.

Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between vinyl cutters and laser cutters:

| Feature | Vinyl Cutter | Laser Cutter |

|---|---|---|

| Cutting method | Blade | Laser |

| Material thickness | Thin | Thick |

| Material types | Vinyl, paper, fabric | Metals, plastics, wood, fabric |

| Applications | Signs, decals, graphics | Metal parts, jewelry, prototypes |

| Cost | Less expensive | More expensive |

| Versatility | Less versatile | More versatile |

| Cut quality | Lower quality | Higher quality |