Replacement for Xerox versant 180?

[raptor101]

Hi everyone,
I work at a print shop, but in a few months I want to start my own business. We have a Xerox Versant 180 where I work.
For my new business, I'd like something similar, a used one costing €10,000 or less.
The Versant 180 always has issues with the BTR and fuser. Do you have any other models from other brands—Canon, Konica, or others—that you can recommend with similar features?
The expected output is 5,000-10,000 copies per month, and hopefully even more. Mostly 33x488 color.
Is it worth getting the finishing module for making booklets, or is it better to have them made by someone else?
Thank you so much and Happy 2026!

 

[Ynot_UK]

Hi Nik and welcome to the forum, you'll find loads of useful information here.

The actual make and model of digital press you acquire is one of the least important points. The key factors to consider are service provision and cost per click. Machines at the entry level from the big four (Xerox, Ricoh, KM and Canon) are all of a comparable standard in terms of quality and functionality, so it's really down to cutting a good deal. Of course this may be difficult with predicted small volumes and no track record, however there's deals to be done.

• I note you intend to buy a used machine as opposed to leasing a new one for five years. In this case take this as the best advise you'll hear - NOT to buy something that looks to be the best bargain on the planet from an online auction site. Identify a dealer first, who can source a good s/h machine and provide the ongoing maintenance on a 'cost per click' agreement that will include toner. If you ignore this advice, you'll end up with an expensive boat anchor a few months down the road. If you buy a 'cheap' press elsewhere then go to a dealer to put it on maintenance, they'll charge you thousands of pounds to replace virtually everything before offering you a CPC contract. That's about the only thing guaranteed in this business.
• Regarding booklet making, I'm a fan of offline finishing and have just the most basic stackers on our colour and B/W KM production machines. The basic booklet makers included with staple/sort-type finishers don't produce a booklet of saleable quality. Whereas the more expensive dedicated in-line booklet makers cost as much as the press engine and when they break down (which they do) they can render the press out of action. Also in-line kit only lasts the life of the press, whereas offline finishing equipment goes on and on for ever if it's looked after. We have an offline Duplo DBM-150T and Plockmatic SQ-104 square fold which is a very compact offline set-up for less than £15k
• The other two most important components you'll need are a paper merchant (source of supply) and a guillotine (stack cutter) - an Ideal / EBA / Triumph that cuts up to SRA2 would be perfect and affordable. Avoid the cheap clones made of 100% Chineseum, these machines can leave life changing injuries so buy something you can trust, preferably from the company that'll service it and sharpen/change blades for you
• I take it you have premises sorted and a business insurance quote, suitable for the machines and paper storage?
• Finally, some basic business advice... are you giving up your day job in the industry to pursue this venture? Most employers in this industry would not be happy with you doing it as a side hustle as there's a conflict of interests. Whereas if you sold burgers or did plumbing during the day and printing in the evening/weekend no one would care less.

Hope this helps and happy new year!

 

[raptor101]

Hi,
Thanks so much for all the advice!
I've just written to Xerox, Canon, and KM dealers to ask if they have any used machines and the cost per click. I know the expected number of copies isn't very high, but we hope to be able to increase that.
I found a used Xerox Versant 180 in Germany, and the Italian dealer told me it's possible to contract it after having it checked out by a technician. But I'll take your advice and leave it at that; I hadn't realized the technician's cost would be so high.
For booklets, where I work, we have an offline Horizon that we used for offset. I was thinking of getting a complete printer to save money, but honestly, an offline printer will last even afterward, and if you say the quality is poor, it's better not to waste money. I hadn't considered that if it breaks, it will also block the printer. A manual stapler like the Bizozzero is a good starting point, if you can find one. If we have a larger job, it's better to ask another printer if they can do the stapling. Where I work now, we don't make brochures very often; we do more menus for hotels and restaurants with just a few pages and a few copies, so you can do them by hand at first...
The Duplo DBM-150T and the Plockmatic SQ-104 are interesting; I can look for used ones. I saw the Duplo at one of our suppliers, who suggested it to us; maybe later, if the job goes well, we can think about it.
We'll also need a laminator and a creaser, even a manual one.
I already have the contacts for paper suppliers. For the cutter, we were thinking of looking for a used 50x70 Polar so we could buy pallets of 70x100 paper, which costs a little less... I'll have to ask the suppliers about the difference in cost for SRA2 paper. If it doesn't change much, a smaller cutter would be more convenient.
The print formats we use most currently are 33x488 (from 70x100 sheets) or 32x44 (from 64x88 sheets).
I haven't thought about insurance yet.
The warehouse is the most critical area; we're looking for a space, but it's hard to find. We hope to find something in the next few months.
Exactly, I'm leaving my job (there are two of us leaving and starting a new company). I couldn't do that while I'm working here because our contract says it's not allowed while you're an employee, and it wouldn't be fair.
We'll also need a printer-cutting plotter. I was thinking of a Roland XR 640 if I can find a used one, and a laminator.
To start, we'll try to buy everything used, otherwise the costs would be too high. Then, if the work goes well, we can consider upgrading with better, perhaps new, equipment...