Rowmark Terminates Distribution Arrangement with JDS Industries

[Tony Lenkic]

True... BUT It's more expensive, you don't get the 10 sheet discount, and slower shipping. There is a discount, but it's like a zillion sheets. I did recently try Gemini - OK, I was desperate. It cut like butter. Engraved like crap. Took multiple passes for a decent engraving. Yes it was the laser engravable plastic. I had thought it was my system & tried a piece of standard RowMark. It engraved normally. I guess after I run out of this crappy Gemini, I'll be paying the higher price and waiting longer for shipments. Sad.

Rowmark still has the best product, but lousy business sense.

Wow Tim,

I was at trade show couple weeks ago where Gemini was running Helix engraving red/white and blue white laser sheets and it engraved with excellent results.
Picked up some sample pieces and tried them my self with Speedy 300 and results are perfect.

As for Rowmark having best product............Have you tried IPI? I think IPI may be at the top of them all.

BTW, I buy only Trotec sheets stock for last 3-4 years unless they don't have a specific color. Price in line with Gemini, delivered next day free of charge to my location.

[Brian Leavitt]

As for Rowmark having best product............Have you tried IPI? I think IPI may be at the top of them all.

Doesn't Rowmark own IPI now as well?

[Tony Lenkic]

Doesn't Rowmark own IPI now as well?

Yes, but IPI facilities are still same location and products are made same way as before buyout according to local rep.

[Mike Null]

I'm with Tony.

I've used IPI from Johnsons for over 15 years. It cuts and engraves great and it comes in .030" as I use a lot of that.

[Chuck Phillips]

We have switched to Gemini from LaserMax and the results are very good. Engraving and vectoring with no problems using the same settings.

[Kev Williams]

There is another source for this stuff---

http://www.gravograph.us/engraving-s...book/index.php

Only problem is, to my knowledge you can only buy it from New Hermes dealers-- but if you happen to have a place nearby that sells Gravograph/New Hermes stuff, it'll probably be pretty reasonable sans shipping costs.

And it's not 'iffy' stuff, it's top notch. The only reason I buy Romark is price, Delvies is cheaper than my local NH rep.

[Tony Lenkic]

Kev,

I do buy some gravograph sheets that no one else makes. Quality is top notch as you said.

There are only two suppliers that I know of sell both Rowmark and Gemini sheet stock.........Delvies and Hansen Supply.
That may change if Rowmark cuts them off.

[Kev Williams]

Funny that Delvies sells all those brands, I only wish they'd stock something besides Rowmark in the store!

If I want IPI I have to wait for it, and until this thread I never heard of Gemini, or knew that Delvies sold it...

[Scott Toponce]

Thanks Kev! Delvie's Plastics is still running strong with engraving materials from Rowmark and Duets by Gemini, along with our massive inventory of color and clear cast acrylic.

[Scott Toponce]

Thanks for the shout out Kev. Delvie's Plastics is still a Rowmark distributor.
Shipping is a bid deal now that UPS and FedEx Ground is charging a surcharge of $10.50 over and above the regular shipping charge on all packages over 48". When shipping you will be better off using 24" x 24" or smaller.
Keep in mind when ordering online that you will get the best bang for your buck by adding a few extra items to achieve the best volume discounts.

[John Frazee]

I read a lot of the threads but didn't have time to read them all but did scan through for MARCO. Marco bought Rowmark/IPI. JDS and Marco being competitors is why I would say JDS lost the product. This is what I was told a little while back. Right now Marco is the exclusive distributor for Rowmark.

[Tim Bateson]

I don't think either of those statements are true. Yes, Marco is a Rowmark distributor. They do not however own Rowmark (unless this happened within the last month). Marco also is not the "exclusive" distributor. An sample of the SE US region distributors: http://www.rowmark.com/distributor/n.../southeast.asp

[Mike Null]

John

I don't believe your information is accurate.

[Kev Williams]

I just checked my 2016 Marco catalog -- it's 674 pages, and only 9 pages ( pages 12-20 ) are dedicated to engraving laminates, all of which are IPI...

[John Frazee]

Have either of you done any digging or just making statements? I have talked to two different people at Marco today and they both told me THEY are exclusive with Rowmark and no one else can sell it. Call them and ask if you don't believe me. 800-229-6592.