Choosing models

[Caro04]

Hi Everyone! I am new and I must say, this a pretty cool forum!
Hope you guys can help!
I own a small, SMALL design company (both web and printing materials) in Costa Rica. Up until now, we design the publicity materials for our clients (flyers, brochures, cards, signs, etc) and then print them in several other companies. However, it is very competitive here, and it is really stessfull and time consuming to print materials elsewhere because quality varies alot!! Our added value is quality and timing... so depending on other people is just killing me !!

Even though at the moment we offer from broided caps to flyers, I would like to start acquiring my own machines, starting with one digital printer... BUT I HAVE NO IDEA WHICH ONE!!
I need one for small to medium loads, with very high image quality (hopefully 2400x2400dpi - is it too much?), hopefully prints in different media (coated and plain, adhesive, etc), auto duplex and well, very cost efficient.
Dont really have much money at the moment to buy huge machines (like the HP indigo press which sounds amazing!!) but im willing to do a huge effort!=)

any ideas?? any suggestions will be greatly appreciated !!=)
have a great day

caro

 

[Josh]

You're going to be looking at a significant investment just to get going... other than the printer you'll definitely need a guillotine and possibly other finishing kit such as creaser/folders, bookletmakers etc.

For a used Xerox DC250 or KM 5500 you'd probably be looking at around £10,000.

I wouldn't worry too much about the quoted resolution... the machines don't actually print at 2400dpi anyway... just run some files on the machines to see what they look like.

 

[X33]

probably the first thing I would start looking at is Service and Support in your country. Does the major players (Xerox, Canon, KM) have operations there that can provide you reliable service and supplies?