What Printer Works for MY needs? Need Help Deciding

[PrintTime]

Hi all I'm new around this forum, I've read a bunch but never posted and I need help figuring out which printer can fit my needs. I currently outsource and run everything on high end Offset presses, but the time has come where I want to do some customizing in small batches in the office.

Will a color laser in the sub $5000 price range be able to pull it off? Is it possible to get decent quality prints a full color on a printer at this level or am I asking for a world of streaky prints and headache? My volume isn't extreme so I'm hoping I can pull it off.

USES:
Some print scenario's I would use a color laser would be some of the following:
-Custom Invitations on a glossy, linen or uncoated stock, the thickest cardstock possible the machine could handle the better
-Printing Full color sell sheets around the 8.5"X11" size, typically around 100lb gloss or matte finish
-Sticker label sheets, typically uncoated but all laser safe (Either large labels, or multiple smaller labels)
-Custom signage, anywhere from small 8.5"x11" where I would print on larger and cut down, or at a larger size where most lasers seem to handle up to 48" long.
-Posters in an 11X17 or 12X18 size, very low quantity and this is ONLY if the printer can handle it, otherwise i'll be doing these elsewhere.

VOLUME:
Volume Wise, I may print a few thousand pages a month, but the coverage on some projects will be extremely high (90-100%)with full color designed backgrounds, etc. So I think just about any printer can handle my needs in terms of volume

PAPER STOCK:
I'm hoping to print on 12PT cardstock (Or thicker), and 12PT glossy cardstock, and other stocks that are around the same thickness. I'd like thicker, but from what I've read this is about as good as it gets with these lower end-mid level color lasers. Anyone have experience printing on a machine of this type with thick cardstock? I would rather NOT have to manually feed the sheets and hope it can feed from one of the trays, even if its just a few hundred pages. Will the Ricoh handle that type of cardstock?


BUDGET AND PRINTER:
I have a budget of around $2500-$5000, I could spend more, but I am not fully sure the jobs will make sense to do in house so i'm not trying to break the bank right away. In my search I found the Ricoh SP C830DN which is being replaced by a newer model so this printer is selling around the $2000 mark shipped. Will this machine be able to turn out decent prints? I also see some OKI's in the sub $5K mark but I've read the cost per page is much higher.

Here are the Ricoh Brochure with Specs:
http://www.printershowcase.com/pdf/ricoh/spC830dn.pdf

I read the Ricoh SP C830DN is one of the most economical printers in terms of cost per color page so that sounded promising.


TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY:
Will I be happy with the quality this machine will put out, and how it handle thicker card stock? Any other machines in the $5K range worth considering for my needs?

Thanks everyone!

 

[Possumgal]

Office class machines may say they can handle thick stock, but even some digital press class machines can't handle 12 pt. You'd have to take into consideration oversized stock if you need bleed, also. If you print invitations on textured stock, there's another headache to consider as far as even coverage.

I can't advise you on individual models, but I believe if you search similar questions on this board, you'll see most advice will consist of suggesting that you farm out these jobs to a digital shop until you get your numbers up to where you can justify a better machine.

 

[DJimenez]

Hello, I am an Oki dealer and an Oki is perfect for your needs. See this link to our website for all the info you need. Also please feel free to contact me for more information.

http://imagecontrolsystems.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=25_29&product_id=64

Thanks
David
[email protected]

 

[PrintTime]

Office class machines may say they can handle thick stock, but even some digital press class machines can't handle 12 pt. You'd have to take into consideration oversized stock if you need bleed, also. If you print invitations on textured stock, there's another headache to consider as far as even coverage.

I can't advise you on individual models, but I believe if you search similar questions on this board, you'll see most advice will consist of suggesting that you farm out these jobs to a digital shop until you get your numbers up to where you can justify a better machine.

Thanks for the honest answer. I've searched and it seems some people are happy with their lower end ($500-$2000) laser printers, but its still hard to navigate through the different models since everyone's needs are different and I've never seen someone comment on a specific model that matches my needs. The Ricoh I mentioned can handle 12"x18" which would in theory handle what I'm looking for. You are right on paper handling, it seems that is many lower end Laser printers weakness. Even my home color laser printers($100-$300) do a decent job quality wise, but paper handling is so hit or miss, hence the reason I'm looking to take it to the next level.

I have a guy local who runs an HP Indigo, but I need to hash out the numbers to see if it make sense to have it done local, or with my trade printers on their digital or offset. I guess I was just trying to cut out needing to rely on someone else for some of the smaller jobs but it may not be possible.

Hello, I am an Oki dealer and an Oki is perfect for your needs. See this link to our website for all the info you need. Also please feel free to contact me for more information.

http://imagecontrolsystems.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=25_29&product_id=64

Thanks
David
[email protected]

I'm all ears and interested to hear if this model (Or a slightly cheaper one) can handle my needs. From my research a while back it seems OKI's are good machine's, but the cost per page is much higher than some other brands on some models, but most feedback is generally good on the OKI brand. Is the C931e that much more capable over the C911dn? Any way to send some sample prints of color prints on thick cardstock so I can see how it handles it?

 

[jwheeler]

PrintTime, I work as a production print specialist for Konica Minolta...but I'm not in your area so I'll try to provide unbiased information. I would stay away from any $5k or under printer if you really want great prints and a machine that will last a long time...there's a reason the machines are that price. It's like tackling a demolition project with a small hammer instead of a sledge hammer or bulldozer! You can get it done, but it will be a painful process after not too long! They are really meant for day to day office use of printing emails, faxes, etc on 20# bond. All vendors, including KM will include higher GSM's on the specs, but you can usually only run a few through the bypass, VERY slowly and the prints really won't have the professional looks you seek. Machines of that caliper will also struggle on textured stocks and coated stocks. Rather than purchasing outright, I would analyze your monthly spend for outsourcing and see if there's room to afford a monthly lease on an entry level production device in house. You can find one for around $500/mo that will output excellent quality from any of the vendors. Of course I'd recommend a Konica Minolta model like the C2060L, but you can find similar models from Xerox and Canon too. Keep in mind that if you bring this type of printer in house, you will also start to need finishing equipment such as a cutter, creaser, folder, etc. I would also advise that rather than asking for some sample prints, that you actually go and see a demonstration. Any of us can output one or 2 great prints, but in a demo, you can watch it print 100's or more and see if it really holds up and if you like the speed. I recommend bringing some of your own paper that you plan to use and several files with varying ink coverage to see how the printer holds up. The lower end printers tend to struggle when you have large solids of toner and you will see banding.

 

[PrintTime]

PrintTime, I work as a production print specialist for Konica Minolta...but I'm not in your area so I'll try to provide unbiased information. I would stay away from any $5k or under printer if you really want great prints and a machine that will last a long time...there's a reason the machines are that price. It's like tackling a demolition project with a small hammer instead of a sledge hammer or bulldozer! You can get it done, but it will be a painful process after not too long! They are really meant for day to day office use of printing emails, faxes, etc on 20# bond. All vendors, including KM will include higher GSM's on the specs, but you can usually only run a few through the bypass, VERY slowly and the prints really won't have the professional looks you seek. Machines of that caliper will also struggle on textured stocks and coated stocks. Rather than purchasing outright, I would analyze your monthly spend for outsourcing and see if there's room to afford a monthly lease on an entry level production device in house. You can find one for around $500/mo that will output excellent quality from any of the vendors. Of course I'd recommend a Konica Minolta model like the C2060L, but you can find similar models from Xerox and Canon too. Keep in mind that if you bring this type of printer in house, you will also start to need finishing equipment such as a cutter, creaser, folder, etc. I would also advise that rather than asking for some sample prints, that you actually go and see a demonstration. Any of us can output one or 2 great prints, but in a demo, you can watch it print 100's or more and see if it really holds up and if you like the speed. I recommend bringing some of your own paper that you plan to use and several files with varying ink coverage to see how the printer holds up. The lower end printers tend to struggle when you have large solids of toner and you will see banding.

Thanks for the honest feedback, and the kick to reality that if I want to get into production, I need to just bite the bullet and get a more expensive machine. I'm definitely looking to push more than a few things out of it, and I'm used to high level Offset press/High level digital quality, so it probably makes sense to not buy a lower end unit, or look to invest in something that is higher end. Just out of curiosity, a machine like that at $500 per month, what is the total cost, and what type of terms are on that machine? 5-10 Year, or are printer loans much longer than that? I am going to try to see if there are any showrooms local to me with a brand as you mentioned to see the printers in action, and see what real world prints look like as you suggested, and get some hard costs.

The other option is to just keep using my printers with offset and digital, and deal with the higher costs on low quantity items, or, try to work a relationship with someone in town who has an Indigo or something comparable.

Thanks to all for the help!

 

[jwheeler]

PrintTime, my apologies. I usually get an email when someone quotes or replies on a thread but I don't remember seeing one for your response. I just saw it in my notifications. A machine for $500 can translate to $23-28k depending on the lease rate you qualify for and the usual lease term is 60 months. I'd stay away from terms any longer than that because parts become less and less available and you will start seeing more service calls as a machine gets older. That's another cost to consider and negotiate is the service click rate (aka: cost per copy).

Another idea is that some people have success finding a gently used production machine on eBay or at auctions. I'd caution against this because you never know why they are trying to get rid of it and what is wrong with it. Just make sure you try it out in person for a lot of prints and ask for the service history. Lastly, if you go the used route, research what year that model was last sold new. Copier manufacturers are only required to carry parts for 7 years after the last year a model is sold, so it becomes very difficult to get service and parts after too long.

 

[Shaare]

I would recommend a used Xerox 570 or C60 with a service maintenance contract. If there's a Fiery on it I would go for it. That would be the bare, bare minimum that would do what you want well, consistently and generally above expectations (waterproof paper, magnets, labels, 12-14pts, etc.) I do work for Xerox and trained people on these machines for decades. When someone keeps getting the same machine level lease after lease the machine is doing something right.

 

[jwheeler]

Jesse321 and Shaare ...this is a 2-1/2 year old post

 

[Shaare]

Jesse321 and Shaare ...this is a 2-1/2 year old post

Never post before coffee... !!!