printer recommendation help

[theroundcorner]

we are looking to buy a new or used printer that can produce plastic and paper business cards in CMYK (SPOT UV optional) we would also like to be able to print other substrates and of course flyers,envelopes pads etc
edge to edge printing is a priority ,as is the cost of the consumables
i suppose my question is do we buy 1 machine that can do it all (if available) or multiple machines to keep costs down any and all help would be appreciated

[minch]

Hello The Round Corner, you did not say if you want digital or litho, although I have never seen it done digital.

Previously I have worked in print shops that produced plastic cards by offset litho sheetfed printing onto both paper and plastic paper and then offline laminating the sheets.

The cards were punched out of these laminated sheets either by modern finishing equipment or in one case by using an old platten press with cutting plates. These cutting plates were made by inserting metal into plywood sheets the same size as the original platten chases.

The advantage of printing onto paper and then laminating is that you do not have any artwork limitations that can occur with screen printing or pad printing; also you can laminate to different thicknesses of plastic card, depending on your clients' requirements.
Regards minch.

[gordo]

Have you looked at MGI?

MGI - Digital Printing and Finishing Technology

best, gordo

[UnlimitedBT]

As Mr Gordo says. What you are planning to print - MGI is the only way as far as digital.

[printsnpaints]

As they said, you need to determine what kind of printing technique you want to use such as digital printing, offset lithography, etc. Try making a business plan and project the costs of buying one printer or several printer so that you would be able to tell more easily which alternative to choose. It's good to know what you want and what you are willing to pay to get it.

[printchesco]

Digital printing is a good choice, if you are producing short run orders. Unlike litho printing, you can do away with initial setup, making it more cost effective for short runs.

[ilovemedia]

I agree with some of the previous comments, if you plan on going with digital printing I would look into MGI. It will probably yield you the best results for what you seem to want. That aside I am a big fan of plastic business cards, they stand out from the others a lot.

[printseries]

For sure digital printer is for short run, but if u have large quantities printing work for booklet, brochoure and etc. For a long term for choosing flexo or offset printer, but u might have your own budget and moment business real condtion. Maybe outsource printing is also a good choice...