what is a good Entry Level Print Machine?

[JaimeZ]

As for the comment that the 3302/3304 are mere duplicators, it shows the lack of knowledge of what a duplicator really is. A duplicator is a one blanket press like the AB Dick 360, Ryobi 3200 or even Heidelberg QM46--all three can have a second print head added, but still print on the same blanket. They're not made to print dot to dot, although you could probably get decent duo tone printing. the 3302 and 3304, as mentioned, have a tower for each color and will print dot to dot very well on small (under 12.5x17.75) sheet.

We have a 3302 (2 color press 2 tower) and I do not recommend 4 color printing with 2 passes on it--even with experienced pressmen it is not easy. We also had a 3304 (4 color with 4 towers)--I'm sorry for insulting those who know this, but that comment that these presses are duplicators is way off. A 1998 version of the 3304 with a platesetter can be bought for your budget and it will print what you want to print, flyers, business cards and cd cover on 12pt stock. But you will quickly outgrow it.

As rbailleu mentioned the GTO is your best bet for quality and long term growth. a 2 color version will be about the same price as an older Ryobi 3304 but it will print a larger sheet (14x20 inch - sorry metric guys) and a much better solid. If you can swing it, though, get a GTO 4 color and you'll be set for a while. As I mentioned in an earlier post we have a 5 color GTO and we use it a lot for not just 4 color work, but also for 2&3 spot Color PMS jobs, heavy and solid coverage on a sheet and even printing large sheet one color jobs that the 3304 and real duplicators can not print on.

 

[dclgraphics]

As a one and two color printing company, we do outsource full color items that we are not equipped to do. we use trade printer like (4over, Inc. | Super Trade Printer, www.viaprintfirm.net, and for folders we use Folder Express - Presentation Folders, FAST!).


David C. Lopez
DCL Graphics

 

[oxburger]

Step 1: find an online vendor that can handle all your needs. (flyers, business cards, letterheads, etc.) there are quite a few that will print all of these things on a color laser at a really good price comparable to offset printing and can handle small quantities (100 - 5,000).

Step 2: figure out how what quantity your client needs, figure out the cost through the online vendor and mark up your price so that you make a small profit.

chances are, you'll not only make money, but save the client money as well because they won't have to pay the set up costs associated with offset printing for printing small quantities.

I've done this for a few small clients and they're relieved that they don't have to do the legwork in getting them printed after I've designed them.

 

[JaimeZ]

Yes the online printers (like 4over) are fine as long as consistent color from job to job is not a requirement. I recently lost a business card client over this issue: they loved the price but demanded consistent color. I raised their price to produce business cards in-house and they didn't like the new price and decided to use another printer. They may or may not return when they encounter similar issue with other printers/brokers, but it's still a client lost for now. Those online printers have their place, but it is NOT a solution over the long haul!--that's 'pinion and I'm stickin' to it, til proven wrong!

 

[grafiki]

Klay, stick with graphic design and find some trade printers to handle the printing. They can print cheaper than you ever could with the presses you can afford at this time (duplicators). Let the trade printers handle all your printing and you add your desired markup and design charges. Trust me, you can make money doing this. In the meantime, you can enroll at your nearby community college that has a printing program and learn to run a press. Good luck.

 

[binhuang_2000]

What's the different between a 1997 version of the 3304 and 1998 version?

 

[alan4color]

Also It is not just the cost of acquiring a press but all the support equipment needed - Cutter, folder, score device etc. Also digital press's are temperamental and service contracts add to the cost. Then you will find the equipment cost is the biggest hurdle. The real price is acquiring the knowledge to be aware and anticipate issues that will cause production problems (Paper creep, crossovers, bleeds, gas ghosting to name a few) and develop different workflows based on the job that will meet (or exceed) client expectations.

Good luck