Feeding 24" preprinted shells

[kevneto]

We have a huge job (monthly) that requires us to imprint variable data (just black text) on a 11" x 24" 80# gloss cover, perfed and scored, pre-printed sheet.

Does anyone know of a B & W printer with faster speeds that can handle this sheet size and weight?

This first run I have to print them on 6 HP 8150 printers. It will pass the 24" sheet straight through, but only will print on the first 17" from the leading edge, which the design does accommodate. So I can fulfill the job, but it will be a soul crusher!

Just looking for better options. Any help will be appreciated.

Kev

[WharfRat]

We do it on an iGEN 4 - 26.00 x 14.33
but
we have an awesome contract and the thing runs constantly
with good paying jobs.

MSD

[kevneto]

Thanks WharfRat

I did bring that option up to the boss knowing the paper handling capabilities of the IGen. It seems crazy to run preprinted sheets through a high end press like an Igen. The perfs, scores and inks would have to cause havoc with the machine.

We currently have a Nexpress and the Kodak sales person suggested upgrading to the SX version which can also do a 14 x 26 sheet for this job. Though, I just can't imagine Kodak being too happy when we start eating image and blanket cylinders like crazy if we ran this stuff through it.

Crazy sale people. They'll say anything to make a sale! ;-)

[mac_man_luke]

A few konica machines will do it but you can only use the bypass feeder with minimal capacity.

[UnlimitedBT]

Hi OKI engine can image a banner 12x47 I think. It is a color printer but not expensive one and have by-pass capacity 2x higher than your HPs and have a descent speed. But I would advice you to try before you buy - OKis are prone to lay a slight background on glossy stocks so if your shells are glossy - it may not be the best option. Besides printing business we're Office equipment dealer for 10+ years and I am trying to think of the machine that can do what you need and cost less than half a million and sadly there are not to many options, nothing at all that could think of that would have a high capacity paper tray capable of taking 24 inch paper and there is nothing at all. If I would have to run this job, I'd line up 2-4 Okis and have 1 person operate... I guess

[Joe Duffy]

Is it a must that it is done with toner? Epson has several inkjets that are capable of running this and do not cost an arm and a leg.

[UnlimitedBT]

Joe, don't you think Ink-Jet Epson would be way to slow for production environment? I mean if they have over 10,000 - 20,000 pieces to print - it will be time to retire when inkjet epson gets done with 20000 pieces of whatever

[Joe Duffy]

No limitations on the size, and if it is text then 360 dpi would be fine.

[curveto]

Keep it in America! (at least in part)

Heavy Stock Multi-Media Digital Press | Xanté Ilumina Printers, Consumables and more. | xante.com

http://www.xante.com/non-cms-assets/...0Spec%20LR.pdf

[Joe Duffy]

Please do not recomend that to him. I have one of these now and would not recomend it for any type of high volume work. The cost per print is way out of line and the speed is not that great either... and if you have any curl on the sheet feeding is a pain.

I stated the Epson line because you can get a 24" engine and print only 11" deep, and fairly quickly. For the price of the Xante you can get 2 Epsons and a RIP - and your cost per proof would be less than 110th of the Xante.