I would love to get some comments from both sides of the field here.

I have been a designer for a fair amount of time and in all my years I have had almost no hassle free experiences submitting files and dealing with signwriters. Is it a South African problem (3rd world problem) where signwriters choose to use software like CorelDRAW due to it being less costly? I am specifically talking about smaller signwriting companies, the mom-&-pop type.

Is it possible that CorelDRAW is the only software that works with their vinyl cutting machines and printers (surely not)?

Why the issue with CorelDRAW?
When I started out I used CorelDRAW. In my opinion limited if you want to get serious about design. I use the Adobe Suite and it is generally considered the industry standard. I create press compliant PDF’s using said software and I understand how to create files that are vinyl cutter (and for that matter screen print) ready. And if you don’t know, see this excellent video on how to get your files ready for a vinyl cutter using Illustrator > Video Preparing Vector Art for a Vinyl Cutter. The problem comes in with file compatibility, which CorelDRAW has almost none of. The most irksome part of this process is that CorelDRAW can export PDF’s and open some PDF’s, but then others will fail to open (you will get a corrupted file message).

Why they want to open your file in an editing environment like CorelDRAW instead of printing it from PDF when you painstakingly set it up for them to size, ready to print, cut… whatever… I don’t know, I am missing a beat in their working process.

It is also often the case, it seems, that most small signwriting companies don’t have a DTP specialist or graphic designer on staff. Cant justify having a semi-professional / professional on the payroll? Surely the hours lost and botched jobs will offset the cost… and if you keep your bases covered (in other aspects of your business*) you will probably end up gaining a bucket load of new clients.

*Bases covered? The amount of times I had to follow-up emails with calls and having to resend files due to the email getting lost in the ether (or the black-hole known as Outlook – another assumption on my part) makes me wonder about this. 

Rant justified? … or is it just a personal experience?

Anyone want to take me up on this and give me a hassle free professional service? My doors are wide open.