All Digital

[gregbatch]

We have been expecting to transition to all digital by the end of next year, however we are now facing some end-of-life equipment issues and tightening compliance issues that may push us to change over by the end of THIS year. How many have made the transition from offset to all digital? What were the most significant issues that you faced? We already do a large amount of color work so that's not much of an issue. Forms, letterheads, envelopes, etc. are transitioning. We have some 2-color newsletters that would be too costly on the color machine and a downgrade on the black & white. What did you do in those situations? We do have a printer in our trade group that does some of our full-color press work and they do have a 2-color press, so outsource? How did customers accept the transition? Did you tell them, or did they even notice? Any advice to help us through our accelerated transition is greatly appreciated.

 

[MailGuru]

We started out as all digital, so, can't help you much with the "migration" scenario. I can, however, answer a few of your questions.

".....How did customers accept the transition? Did you tell them, or did they even notice?........"

Our typical customer is not "offset-savvy". All they want is good quality print at a reasonable price. They could care less how you got to the end result, as long as you got there. Besides, with the exceptional quality of today's digital presses, even if they were "offset-savvy", they'd be hard-pressed be able to tell the difference.

".......What were the most significant issues that you faced? ......"

From time-to-time, you will run in to some scenarios, especially in cases where there is a high volume and no variable digital or imaging, where it is less expensive just to outsource to an offset printer. That doesn't happen very often (for us, maybe once or twice a year).

When you do go digital, make sure you are using good equipment backed by a good reputable service organization. Unlike big offset presses, digital presses will go down quite frequently (as compared to offset presses), and, if you are print-for-pay, you need those machines back up and running quickly.

 

[arossetti]

How do you plan on printing letterhead without the issue of the image ghosting off when ran back through a fuser at the end user?

 

[gregbatch]

We will probably opt for a Xante for envelopes and letterheads. They use a laser safe polymer that fuses once and then doesn't melt again.

 

[gregbatch]

In light of our shift to all digital, are there any recommendations for B/W machines? We currently have Xerox D136. Most concerned about photos.

 

[arossetti]

I'm a big fan of Oce b/w. VP6000 might be more machine then you need but canon came out with a baby version that might be worth exploring.

 

[namelessentity]

We've got an Oce Varioprint 6320 that is a beast. Photo quality is very good. Solids are a bit on the light side, but they're much closer to offset since the toner isn't glossy and there's no fuser. Apparently Amazon uses them for on-demand paperback books.

 

[PrintIT]

Any problem with finishing on the Oce's? We've heard there's some problems with toner adhesion especially with folding.

 

[namelessentity]

The toner isn't fused, so it can scratch/smear with friction fed rollers. Our folder is air fed so it's never really been an issue.
We have an insurance client that we run through a friction fed inserter and if it stalls or jams it will usually ruin the sheet, but if it's running smooth the sheets are fine. Oce sells a Print Guard unit that is an in-line fuser. We had it installed and I'll tell you it's pretty much hot garbage. Thankfully you can turn it off, and I haven't used it in over a year it was so worthless.

 

[gregbatch]

SPAM at its best...

 

[kdw75]

How do you plan on printing letterhead without the issue of the image ghosting off when ran back through a fuser at the end user?

Have you had this happen? Our 2100 runs all kinds of letterheads, and forms, which are run through desktop laser printers, and so far they have never caused any issues.

 

[arossetti]

Have you had this happen? Our 2100 runs all kinds of letterheads, and forms, which are run through desktop laser printers, and so far they have never caused any issues.

Yes we have. Xerox uses EA low melt toner so if you put the LH into any fuser that runs at or above the melting point of the toner you run the risk of it being tacky as it runs through the rest of the clients paper path. Doesn't happen on all devices but most desktop printers have a higher fuser temp then modern digital presses.