Xante Ilumina Digital Envelope Press

[Happyprinter]

We just installed a Illumina production press a couple of weeks ago. So far, I am not impressed. Their claims of printing on all sorts of cover including, magnetic, 100# gloss cover etc.. has not proven to be true. It will not lay a good solid and is very particular on the envelope stock we use, ie linens, laid, some work great others not consistent. We have had the poor service people up several times so far and still are having problems with this machine. So, be warne. We are looking at turning this machine back and maybe purchasing a okidata w/ envelope feeder. Well see what happens in the next few days.

[damfino]

The Illumina is an Okidata, so your issues will be the same. What you say is correct: only certain linens will print, and most Laid's will not.

With either machine, if you run a lot of heavy stock the life of your imaging drums (at approx. $175. a pop) will be reduced substantially.

A great printer when the work matches it capabilities. For wove envelopes it can't be beat.

[Happyprinter]

Thank you Damfino for your reply. Before we purchased the unit we were told and Xantes advertisments stated that it would print on about any stock, canvas, magnetic, etc. One of our big concerns was the price of the unit and only being able to purchase supplies, toner, drums etc, thru Xante, but when we were told it would print on all these other papers, well, it looked like a great fit for our company. We have ran 100# gloss cover, 120# C1S, magnetic 12x18,80# Cover and envelopes. Remember, this is a brand new machine, and neither we or the service tech can get the image to fuse correctly, or the colors to be solid. I am very curious if this machine will actually print on all the stock advertised by Xante. You are 100# correct when you say it will print beautifully on a #10 Reg. Bond envelope. We ran several 1000 thru it and they looked great. I was very impressed. I would like to know if there are other printers having similiar problems with this unit. If I could just run #10 Bond envelopes thru this all day Im sure it would be fine, but in order for it to pay for itself, it has to be more versatile.

[QueenMac]

Hello everyone,

First of all, I will disclose to all of you that I work for Intec—but I have previously worked for Xanté as a product specialist and field engineer for the last 8 years. I have had experience with both the Xanté and PSI envelope units and hope that you will include our new Intec model in your search for the best envelope printer for your needs and budget.

Second, in regards to the questions asked regarding the PSI and Xanté models, I can only comment from my personal experience with the Xanté and PSI compared to the development of the Intec. There are three basic differences between our unit and the two already on the market:

1 - The Intec envelope unit will consist of a much smaller footprint and be at a lower price point. Both the Xanté and PSI units consist of large conveyer belt systems and bulky external items. The Intec input/output will be streamlined to account for shops where space is at a premium... especially in those shops where I have worked on equipment located in a hallways, tiny old darkrooms or even converted closets and baths!

2 - Intec will also offer more input/output options to customise the unit for your individual business needs (i.e., we will offer a envelope CP2020 model that can be purchased with or without the Compose RIP option).

3 - Since all three units use the same base engine—the speed, quality and media specifications are virtually the same—but upon closer inspection, the Intec CP2020 already supports lower media weights than the Xanté Ilumina and has the ability to print on a wider range of medias (i.e., NCR and polyester plates). Additionally, Intec does not make physical modifications inside the base engine that can ultimately alter your print quality or have an effect on product reliability. Of course, I will not claim that the Intec will print perfectly on every type of media, but we will do what we can to help you find the right product for your application—even if it is not ours.

Currently our distribution is primarily in the European markets but we will be expanding distribution into the Americas and Asia later this year. As a sidenote, if you, or anyone you know, are interested in being a distributor of our Intec units, please contact us or send me a message.

Good luck in your search!
Ann (Rohling) Wilkes
Product Development Manager
Intec Printing Solutions, Poole UK
Intec Printers

[JustinB]

Does anyone have experience print smaller envelopes with oki 9650 and the straight shooter?

I mostly print 6 3/4 and 6 3/4 remittance envelopes, and occasionally #10 envelopes. I also sometimes print on both sides of the envelope. Has anyone experienced problems doing that with the oki?

Thanks!

[damfino]

I have a PSI system with anOki 9650 and have run envelopes as small as 3 5/8 x 5 1/8" with no problems. Duplexing is not possible, but running them back through has not been an issue.

I have a Srtaightshooter on order to use with my Oki 9800.

[JustinB]

Thanks for the reply!

How's the image quality on that 9650 for envelopes? Text legible? Does it leave a waxy finish like some copiers do that make it hard to write on?

I saw the straight shooter and think I want one, but I'm not really sure what all machines it works with. Their website doesn't seem to say one way or the other what kinds of machines it works with? Am I stuck using an oki printer or could I use, say a canon imagerunner?

[damfino]

Oki quality is stellar for envelopes. Text down to 5 point OK. Slight gloss, but it passes for offset. It is the only engine offered by the 6 or so envelope systems currently being sold because it is the only machine with a 100% straight paper path.

Straightshooter works only with the Oki 9650 at this time, although they told me they have some experience with a Ricoh (too slow).

Oki may be discontinuing the 9650 as they just announced a new line (more expensive) including their own envelope system (Uses a Thiele feeder), but at $26,500 it is grossly overpriced.

[GESTN]

Everyone that is looking for a solution to the small amounts of envelopes needs to look at the Straight Shooter Feeder. It is a roll away feeder that will handle production runs of envelopes and when you are finished, just roll it away. No connections or modifications to your printer. Check out their website: Straight Shooter Equipment Company. you don't need a new printer, just an add on feeder.

[djkaip]

To shed a little more light on the Straight Shooter capabilities, it works with not only the 9650 but also the 3641, the 3640, and other models based on the same OKI Engine. As for the Ricoh connection the Straight Shooter PF-12 works with Ricoh's digital duplicators at over 130 envelopes per minute.

Hopefully this information helps.