Those days when you had to travel to a sign shop and shell out to get your signs and graphics crafted, are well and truly over. Innovation has worked its magic and brought affordable vinyl cutters for those of us on a budget but still desire pro-quality vinyl cutting experiences.
I was starting a career in sign making. I decided to scour the crowded market for the best starter vinyl cutter for domestic decorative DIY applications that won’t blister my wallet. One model that caught my eye and charmed me is the USCutter MH 34in Vinyl Cutter.
I made an order immediately, and as soon as I received my order, I subjected it to intense tests and took the cutter to the edge of its comfort zone by throwing all sorts of vinyl cutting jobs I could find.
Still, it managed to make a joke of light cutting jobs, pulled stunts, and surpassed my expectations. This elite and efficient cutting tool for beginners gave me stunning, attention-grabbing graphics with clean straight edge cuts.
High speeds, astounding precision, and clean cuts are the simple definition of this beginner-friendly rid.
About USCutter
USCutter is a reputable manufacturer of low-cost sign supplies, headquartered in Washington, USA. The company has been around the sign tools, making space for a considerable time-frame now and has streamlined their craftsmanship to exemplary standards.
In their ten years of existence, the innovators have consistently pushed the limits of technology and continually set the bar higher. Truth be told, I would buy their product without even having to glance at it.
As one of the top UScutter vinyl cutters, the MH 34in Vinyl Cutter is nothing short of the excellent quality USCutter has always produced. Here, the manufacturer splurged in all the areas that count to come up with this crowd-pleaser and one of the all-time greats.
Besides cutting a wide variety of materials, you will also enjoy working with the most complex and intricate designs imaginable for a beginner.
USCutter MH 34in Vinyl Cutter Review
Design and Construction
The cutter is a product of sturdy industrial grade materials that will not break on the first cut, nor wear for decades to come while still keeping the weight down.
You can’t help but notice dynamic and luxurious details and finishes that will affirm that you are a pro even if you are new to this game. The bigger 96 inches and 30 inches cut width means that you will handle bigger cutting tasks.
It was thoughtful of the makers to use the clever design that features a blade holder and pen holder. So, you can safely and neatly tuck away tools you are not using and get easy access whenever you need them.
Furthermore, the builders want to make it super smooth for you to feed in the vinyl, so they included a superior ball-bearing dual-roller system in the feeding area. Better yet, it comes with almost everything you need for your crafting expeditions.
So, you need not spend extra investing on a whole new set of additional supplies, tools, and blades.
Performance
All the difficulty pressure that comes with cutting thick vinyl and material is no match for the 350g maximum pressure. Expect quick yet accurate cuts all thanks to the modest 39 in/s cutting speed. You will be done cutting in no time and remain with more time to focus on other aspects of the projects. Feel free to adjust the speed and pressure to suit your preferences and match the task at hand.
Whether you chose to go with standard vinyl, heat transfer vinyl, or paper, or you decide to use craft paper, paint mask, or card stock, nothing is too hard for this capable unit to conquer and effortlessly slice through.
That’s not all. The unit is standard blade compatible, a feature you will find beneficial if you appreciate a little more versatility and flexibility.
Connectivity
As you’d wish, the company includes a USB cable for connecting to your PC. The company wants to save you the trouble and extra cost of acquiring design software.
So, they offer you a free basic edition of the VinylMaster Cut to get you up and running. The easy to use software provides software helps you to create, edit, purchase, and import limitless design options. It offers more creative possibilities than you can imagine at your fingertips.
If you are not much of a techy, you will be delighted to know that there are countless videos on YouTube to guide you through using this handy application.
Not just that, the cutting equipment allows you the freedom and flexibility to use other software you’re more experienced like Sure Cut A Lot, Adobe illustrator, SignPal, GreatCut, and more.
Customer Support
The manufacturer stands by their products with a reliable Lifetime US-based phone support and web-based resources. So, in the rare case that you run into any issues while operating the machine, do not hesitate to contact experts from the company for assistance.
Drawbacks
One aspect where USCutter skimped is the failure of the MH 34 cutter to work with Apple or Mac computers. This restricts this product to Windows users considering that a significant number of people swear by Apple computers.
Also, the plotter does not support contour cutting. Therefore, you will not enjoy all the customizable shapes and designs that come with contour cutting.
- Free VinylMaster Cut and Design Software.
- It is Standard blade compatible
- You get three cutting blades, hobby knife, and squeegee
- Reliable lifetime customer support
- Incompatible with Apple computers
- Does not support contour cutting
What’s In the Package?
- USCutter MH34 Vinyl Cutter Plotter with Stand.
- VinylMaster Cut – Design and Cut Software.
- Five rolls of Greenstar vinyl (Black, White, Real Red, Green, Canary Yellow colors)
- Two sheets of magnetic blanks.
- 1 TransferRite Ultra Clear Application Transfer Tape.
- 1 TransferRite Ultra 592U High Tack Paper Application Tape.
- 3 Vinyl Cutting Blades.
- 1 Hobby knife.
- 1 Squeegee.
In a Nutshell
If you are on the market for the best starter vinyl cutter, then your search ends here. Although achieving perfection is almost impossible, the MH 34 vinyl cutter from USCutter leaves little to be desired. The little beast is the kind you will want to cut with for its flawless unquestionable performance and position in your workshop for its lush look.
Moreover, this cutting tool will never have real competition in its price range. The price point is well within the comfortable reach of the budget shopper, making it a decent alternative if you are short on cash. I am almost certain that you will like this thing as much as I do.