How to replace 1-color press?

[that guy]

I have a 1-color Multi 1360 that we use purely for printing stationary and large envelopes.
It gives us many problems and we are worried that it will be necessary to put it out to pasture some day soon. All of our runs are less than 5000, and after looking at what it would cost our customers to outsource their jobs, I am trying to find an alternative.
(disclaimer: I am pretty new to the press marketplace, and am not too sure how to go about all of this)

Here is the issue: We cannot buy a used machine. It has to be new.

I have been looking at:
- Heidelberg QM46 -
- Ryobi 2800CD -
- Xante Ilumina GS Digital Production Press -
-PSI Laser Mail 3655 GA -

(Disclaimer: I am pretty new to the press marketplace, and am not too sure how to go about all of this)
I have requested info and quotes from both Heidelberg USA, and a Certified Ryobi dealer in California, but never heard back, so I am not even sure of a ballpark price.

I have been reading a lot about the Xante, and I don't think that it's niche is what we need.
We already have a Xerox DC240, and my research tells me that it would be hard to get a per click price that would be much cheaper than what we pay on the DC240.
Also, our customers print on the stationary. Would that be an issue with every toner based idea?

After reading on this board about duplicators, I am confident that they could not provide the quality we need.

I don't think that a spot color unit exsists for our Canon IR110

We are not in a place to upgrade our Color or B/W machines. We own them and will until they poop out.
This is frustrating because 90% of our letterhead is maroon. Even if we could just get something, digital, offset, spot, whatever, to do that maroon, it might be worth it to us.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

-Matt-

 

[Happyprinter]

Why does your machine have to be new? Financing? There are a lot of great 1 and 2 color offsets on the market that would do the job just fine and at a very affordable price. I've seen a lot of 2 color Ryobi's on the market, low usage very low price, in the $4-6,000 range that would last for years and be very inexpensive to operate. If your just printing 1 color letterhead and envelopes, and already have the equipment to produce plates, why would you spend money on a digital machine that cost you click charges when you can run a press for years to come and pay no click charges. The only exception to this would be if your runs were small, say under 1000 you might consider a digital machine, but there again you will have to figure your payment along with your click charge and see how you will come out best. Good Luck.

 

[that guy]

Why does your machine have to be new? Financing?

Any purchase has to go through a long approval ladder, and the person at the top of that ladder does not like to lease equipment or buy used.
Part of what I hope to accomplish with this inquiry is to gain perspective on the real cost of these new machines, so that I can present a case for buying used and hopefully finding a maintenance agreement.

We already have an agreement on a multi 1250 envelope press, but that was bought new in 1971.
Still works like a charm!

 

[Steve_S]

Laser + toner = nightmare.

We have a single and 2 color QM46 available for sale in the equipment section, just FYI. Not sure why the gear would have to be new, but that is an option you have. LH and envelopes are no issue with those presses. We have experience with Ryobi 3302 but can't speak to the model you are looking at.

You can email me if you want info on those.

 

[rbailleu]

I believe a new qm46-2 is going to be in the $50,000 range

 

[mattbeals]

I have a used Ryobi 2color for sale. We'd love to get rid of it. I'll gather what spec's I can and some pictures if you're interested. It's been decommissioned for a while now though. Still, if the price is right...

 

[Green Printer]

Go for the Heildelberg. It is made in the USA at Sidney,Ohio.

 

[RGPW17100]

Heidelberg discontinued the QM46 and replaced it with the Printmaster about 10 years ago. It is a good machine but does not do well with small envelope (A2,6, Bar 4, Two way remmitance) Also on larger envelopes you can not load a bunch in the feeder at a time. A Ryobi 3302 new is going to be around $40,000., Printmaster new a couple of years ago was $75000. Not sure if Ryobi still makes a 2800 but if you get one you will probably need a Thead to go with it and that complete deal would probably run you around $28k. All three of these machines can be found used probably for under $10K except the 2800 where you could find a good one probably under $5k

 

[marktonk]

Hi that guy,

Please PM me your name, number and location, I will have someone from Heidelberg contact you. Thanks.

Regards,

Mark

 

[nhprinter]

IMHO the Printmaster is your best bet. I really don't know how it compares in price with the Ryobi, but it's twice the press. Or you can look at the new BaumPrint 18. It's the same as a Printmaster and made in the US. I'm guessing they're really pushing these right now trying to get them into the market. You might be able to get a good deal on one.

Good Luck,
Dave

 

[Green Printer]

The Baumprint 18 is the Printmaster. Made in the Heidelberg factory in the US. The only difference between the German made Printmaster and the Baumprint is the name plate.