quickmaster di good or bad? running costs

[thebluesdude]

Hi guys we currently run a Xerox 5000 and a 250, I am a time served litho printer and was looking for options to buy a di, what are the running costs on these machines. is it special ink? how much does the ink and plates cost? and the really key point are they really that bad? there are lots of complaints on the net.
Thanks in advance
Ron

 

[rbailleu]

we had a qmdi. it was a good way to get into 4color. for us. but it was not as competive on longer runs. the specs said 20,000 imp per set of plates. they generally would not make 10,000 imp. plastes about $13each so $50/4c job. hourly figure you will neeed to find on your own as I base it on labor and price of machine. ink is a minimal cost. unless you are running one or 2 jobs a day. then you dont need the press. right now someone is auctioning off 5 brand new ryobi di w/ warranty.

 

[thebluesdude]

Thanks rbailleu

 

[ALB]

Costs

Costs

I run a DI. Plates are about $8.57 (Presstek Brand).
Running Toyo inks.
It beats most toner devices from a cost point @ 1,500 sheets (12 x 18) or more.
Runs envelopes great.
Overall pretty happy.

 

[rbailleu]

toyo inks are a must. solves a bunch of issues. you will probably want low tack and med tack. med tack on offsets and low on gloss. but maybe I am getting ahead of myself.

ultimately we opted to sell our di and go with a sm52 and ctp for more versatility.

there is a lot of talk about getting out of offset. but I dont think digital is the complete answer. the indigo's are a good alternative. but nothing beats an older di for total cost and quality. of course its not variable but for under $50,000.00 you can be running 4 color work quickly.

 

[Insul'R]

QM DI 46/4 to print my “newspaper”

QM DI 46/4 to print my “newspaper”

I'm studying the possibility to buy a used QM DI 46/4 to print my newspaper.
This newspaper is a single piece of paper (48 x 34 cm) printed in 4 colors both sizes, 5000 ex, 3 times a week.
I'm actually printing it on a printing office and that cost me $14 000 per month.
I'm looking for a specialist opinion about the opportunity to buy a QM DI and to print it our self.
As you certainly understand with my poor english… I'm french but able to find US providers and to work in $.

 

[Paul Cavanaugh]

While no longer in production the QMDI is still a viable vehicle for short run 4 color work. The only thing to keep in mind when purchasing one is that it is a printing press and a press operator will be needed to run it. My recommendations are to hire a press operator with at least 4 years of 4-color experience. You can train someone to run it without 4-color experience but the learning curve is steep and it will take you that much longer to become profitable.

As for which version of the machine to buy? There were three manufactured each progressing with more features than the previous version. The Classic, The Plus and finally the Pro.

If you can swing the price, I would go with the Pro hands down as it uses the very same feeder as was incorporated on the Heidelberg SM52. Much better for precise registration if needed. Although, the Plus version of the machine had a majority of the features the Pro had minus the feeder. It was a direct feed without a registration feed table. The Classic is also a good machine but it lacks many of the upgrades the latter two had.

It is also important when purchasing a QMDI to make sure you get everything with it. Make sure the software is up to date on the press computer and make sure the RIP comes with the dongle. These can be very costly if missing. Also it would behoove you to see it in action if you are buying it used.

I hope this information helps you with your decision. Many companies grew using the QMDI as a backbone.

Heidelberg - What is Remarketed?

 

[ARTENGO]

I run a DI. Plates are about $8.57 (Presstek Brand).
Running Toyo inks.
It beats most toner devices from a cost point @ 1,500 sheets (12 x 18) or more.
Runs envelopes great.
Overall pretty happy.

Hi ALB,
Very interested to know your supplier for DI plates and ink.
Can you let me know ?

 

[slobagraf]

I'm studying the possibility to buy a used QM DI 46/4 to print my newspaper.
This newspaper is a single piece of paper (48 x 34 cm) printed in 4 colors both sizes, 5000 ex, 3 times a week.
I'm actually printing it on a printing office and that cost me $14 000 per month.
I'm looking for a specialist opinion about the opportunity to buy a QM DI and to print it our self.
As you certainly understand with my poor english… I'm french but able to find US providers and to work in $.

i can print that job for you in half of price you wrout transport includet

 

[slobagraf]

i can print that job for you in half of price you wrout transport includet

contakt me

[email protected]

 

[Bloodsaler]

As I heard,the color correction for DI press will be difficult~

 

[OutSourceD]

The QMDI is old technology. Plus, it requires a very expensive add-on. A press man. Consider other avenues. If you can run it yourself, the QMDI might be an option. If you can't run the press yourself, consider a used Konica Minolta Biz Hub C-6500 or 6501.