Xante Ilumina Digital Envelope Press

[kglosser]

I'd like to compliment Xante on this product. It is simple, relatively inexpensive and definitely fills a niche in digital printing. I received a great demo from some very passionate people at Xante.

While I am making these comments as a reseller, I want everyone to understand that this is something special and worthy of serious consideration.

[OutSourceD]

There is no doubt that there is a need for a machine with this capability. My concern is the price per print, regardless of what is stated in their advertising. Also, I would like to test drive one to determine it's Achilles heel. Also this machine seems a bit over priced, to the tune of about $4,000 to $5,000 in my opinion. I think I'd gamble $16,000 for this machine, but not $20,000+.

[JaimeZ]

We have the Ilumina and it prints envelopes really well, but we can only use the multipurpose tray, which holds not much more than 25 to 50 envelopes at a time. I agree that the Ilumina Envelope press is overpriced; unfortunately until another alternative comes to the marketplace for printing envelopes on toner based devices which holds 500 #10 envelopes with the envelope feeder and has a delivery conveyor belt stacker, Xante will be able to charge $20,000+.

[Keith]

I've had an ilumina for the past 3 years and like JaimeZ it does envelopes very well but only a small handful at a time- so I don't do more than a couple hundred for any one order. I have been looking at new machines for over a year now and decided to consider getting their envelope press or "Production 502" that they just released. My dealer told me that they are holding the price at $15,000 for another month and I agree with OutSourceD- even that is kinda steep, especially when you consider the operating costs. Speaking of operating cost, if my cost-per-page calculator is correct; I think 1.5 cents for a full color envelope is based on 2% coverage.

JaimeZ, I believe there is a company called PSI Engineering that makes a toner-based envelope press- Laser Envelope Printer | High Quality Envelope Printing | PSI

I don't think there is a huge demand for full color envelopes. Most people want cheap one color and are willing to wait for it. But if they need them fast and want to pay for it, then the Ilumina has a market. Which is the market I'm trying to go after, I guess.

Keith

P.S. JaimeZ, I would like to talk to you sometime. Ilumina owner to Ilumina owner. How would we go about that off the forum (I don't know the rules concerning posting phone numbers or emails).

[damfino]

I evaluated both the Xante and the PSI and went with the PSI.

Primary reason? Continuous feeder - will pay for itself in a couple months in saved time. Also, at the time of my evaluation, all Xanate offered was a crude collection box on the output end - a belt delivery is essential.

Operational cost? - nothing less than .03 cents per envelope. The toner life will actually far exceed your expectations, but the imaging drums is where the real costs lies.

Have to note that both these 'manufacturers' lock you into their consumables with proprietary RFID chips and fuses.

Xanate makes major hardware and software modifications to the Okidata 9650 engine - PSI makes none. By my experience, the the untouched printer is more then adequate for pleasing color and even handles close PMS output.

I own 2 Phaser 7760's, Xerox's highest-end printers, and the Okidata runs circles around them for color accuracy and consistency. (Xerox markets the Okidata 9650 as the Phaser 7400).

[OutSourceD]

You are saying that the PSI does envelopes? What manufacturer is that? Where can we buy one and how much are they? Thanks in advance.

[damfino]

Here you go:

Envelope Printer | Production Laser Printers | Laser Mail | PSI

PSI has had their configuration out for a year and claim about 80-90 installations.

Depending on the model, $20M to $25M - I went with the 3640 High Speed version.

[Internal_R&D_Analyst]

PSI is in Canda, and they manufacture and modify a few other machines for packaging and material handling. I went there about 1.5 years ago when they were even less unknown.

The Xante now has a belt delivery. I agree the feeder and delivery on the original unit never made much since. Though the Xante can do 60 #10's to 50 on the PSI.

Both machines were at the last Graph Expo but somehow Xante got all the attention for a prototype machine over one that was available for sale.

[clark60]

I evaluated both the Xante and the PSI and went with the PSI.

Primary reason? Continuous feeder - will pay for itself in a couple months in saved time. Also, at the time of my evaluation, all Xanate offered was a crude collection box on the output end - a belt delivery is essential.

Operational cost? - nothing less than .03 cents per envelope. The toner life will actually far exceed your expectations, but the imaging drums is where the real costs lies.

Have to note that both these 'manufacturers' lock you into their consumables with proprietary RFID chips and fuses.

Xanate makes major hardware and software modifications to the Okidata 9650 engine - PSI makes none. By my experience, the the untouched printer is more then adequate for pleasing color and even handles close PMS output.

I own 2 Phaser 7760's, Xerox's highest-end printers, and the Okidata runs circles around them for color accuracy and consistency. (Xerox markets the Okidata 9650 as the Phaser 7400).

Has anyone tried just using the Okidate 9650 for short run envelope work?

[damfino]

Works great, but only 50 or so envelopes in the bypass tray at a time. Due to the design, you can't continuously add to the stack. Slow going.

If you want to go this manual route, look at the the Ricoh 420 - less expensive.