New to the digital printing

[Stonebridge]

I work for a non-profit and we print about 100,000-200,000 pages a month of 8.5x11 letters. We currently just use 3 HP M806. We are constantly doing maintenence on these HP's. I have been looking in to the epson workforce M21000 as a replacement. Does anyone have any ideas for help? I would prefer to just have 1 printer.

 

[azehnali]

your volume is too high for just one printer
you will need at least 3-4 midsize machines if you want basically zero maintenance
all you will need to do is replace basic components with take 90 seconds on average to replace

 

[kslight]

I think leasing a light / mid production rated machine with a service and supplies contract is appropriate. Ricoh 8300 seems like a good fit if all you do is bw. You may be able to find an older refurbished model for less but I wouldn’t suggest anything without a service contract for that volume. I do not think you need multiple machines for this volume.

I have a single Ricoh 7210 (color model) running our print department, runs all day long and I see my tech maybe once every 4-6 weeks. There are a handful of things that I can quickly swap out but honestly it just runs.

 

[Stonebridge]

Thanks for the help. I have a better idea now. We do have an old Ricoh 5100 which we use for printing some of the pamphlets we use, but it just died.

 

[Ynot_UK]

Contrary to what anyone says, the only printer with "basically zero maintenance" is one that's not used... however if it's not used for too long, guess what? You guessed - it will need maintenance!

In your case, having two entry to mid level production printers would give you the most redundancy and flexibility, recommendation would depend on your BW%/colour %

Also, how much of that volume is variable data and do you have the facility to guillotine?

 

[Shawnd]

You need to upgrade so you can print 50k 11x17 2up and cut them.

 

[narseman]

A single machine sounds good, but it's a gamble. When it goes down, depending naturally on why.. you may be down for a few days or more. Redundancy is insurance..

 

[Stonebridge]

Contrary to what anyone says, the only printer with "basically zero maintenance" is one that's not used... however if it's not used for too long, guess what? You guessed - it will need maintenance!

In your case, having two entry to mid level production printers would give you the most redundancy and flexibility, recommendation would depend on your BW%/colour %

Also, how much of that volume is variable data and do you have the facility to guillotine?

It is mostly variable data that we would be using and yes we have a guillotine. We have worked with a local business with the Ricoh 5100 on maintenance but we only would call them in when needed. I would buy all the parts online myself to try and save a little money. Doing 11x17 would probably be the way we would go and guillotine.

 

[Stonebridge]

What/who is the best way to purchase a Ricoh? I apologize, I am getting my feet wet in this.

 

[Shawnd]

At those amounts I would suggest at a minimum the 5300 and keep the 5100 as a backup. If doing 11x17 you would benefit from stepping up to a green line (refurbished) 7200 from Ricoh. At those volumes you should be able to support it if this is pay for print.

 

[Shawnd]

Should be a Ricoh dealer or Direct in your area, look them up.

Another thought would be going inkjet if quality doesn't have to be 100% and you think your print volume will grow: Merlin K146c - MCS Pro

 

[Ynot_UK]

@Stonebridge What's your BW / colour % split?

 

[jwheeler]

What/who is the best way to purchase a Ricoh? I apologize, I am getting my feet wet in this.

Look up a Ricoh direct office or dealer near you: Find a Ricoh location near you | Ricoh USA

Make sure to get quotes from Xerox and KM as well. You may find the interface and workflow of one works better than another when you do a demo at their showroom. Getting competitive quotes will also make your dealer of choice give you the best deal possible.