Xerox Versant vs Konica Minolta vs Silk Papers

[Peterborough Print]

Hi,

I'm currently running three Xerox Versants (2x V80 and 1x V3100) and running a lots of heavy silk, so getting the 2nd BTR blues a lot. I have the opportunity to buy a reconditioned KM C1085 with service support from an independent tech, but I'm looking to find out if KM machines suffer from the same 2nd BTR issues that Versants do? I'm keeping the Xerox machines, but looking for a solution to print silk paper without buying 2nd btr's every week! Do KM machines cope better with silk?

 

[NorwoodPress]

Not sure about KM machines, but I would go for the new Xerox Procifio PX300 or PX500 as they don't have 2nd BTR's no more

 

[Peterborough Print]

Not sure about KM machines, but I would go for the new Xerox Procifio PX300 or PX500 as they don't have 2nd BTR's no more

Would love to, but out of my budget unfortunately.

 

[pippip]

I've never heard of the KMs having the 2nd btr issue but I'd get some test prints before you commit.
The KMs have a much more gloss finish to it's toner. May not suit your products especially if you're planning on spreading loads between the KM and Xeroxs.

 

[jwheeler]

We have the C6085 (which is the generation after the C1085, built on the same frame) and we've run silk just fine. It doesn't run any differently than gloss or other coated stocks. However, as @pippip points out, the KM toner is quite glossy, so it kinda defeats the purpose/feel of the silk finish. I also used to sell KM gear back when the C1085/C1100 was in production and I don't recall anyone having issues running silk. It pretty much ran anything you put through it up to the rated gsm. If your supplier is a KM dealer, they may have access to the "Substrate Throughput Assurance Guide" for the C1085/C1100 series which should list some tested silk stocks. If nothing else, ask if they'll let you run a couple of cases on the machine before you buy it....take it for a test drive!

 

[AP90]

Would love to, but out of my budget unfortunately.

Have you gotten pricing on the proficio line? Just curious what they’re going for as someone else mentioned in another thread they were a huge markup over the Versant line.

Also, I’d stay away from them as X will most likely be going under at some point this year…

 

[jwheeler]

I’d stay away from them as X will most likely be going under at some point this year

I dunno...things are looking up for them....they're up from a low of $1.30 earlier this week to a whopping $1.45 per share today!

More info, thanks to Google Gemini-AI:

 

[pippip]

Are we all going to start shorting Xerox?

 

[TJPrinter]

I think any other brand will run coated paper better than the Versant line. The 2nd BTR problem is unique to Xerox along with the short drum life. Be sure to keep the suction filter clean or replace it often, if not, heat will build up faster and shorten the life of the BTR even quicker.

 

[gazfocus]

We used to run KM before getting our current Versant. The KM ran silk stocks without any issue and much preferred the machine overall to the Xerox Versant. However, the KM uses corona wires and we ended up having to replace them quite frequently but they’re cheap and easy to replace.

 

[richsweeney]

We have a KM C4080 sitting next to a v280. I only run coated paper on the 280 ICE, If I run it more then 8 hours with coated paper, then the 2nd btr goes out. The KM does not have any of those issues. Plus the KM cost less than the 280. I just found out today xerox can and will increase your lease payment up to 15% per year. My bad for not reading the fine print. Also after almost 3 years, we never had a issue with the corona wires.

 

[AP90]

We have a KM C4080 sitting next to a v280. I only run coated paper on the 280 ICE, If I run it more then 8 hours with coated paper, then the 2nd btr goes out. The KM does not have any of those issues. Plus the KM cost less than the 280. I just found out today xerox can and will increase your lease payment up to 15% per year. My bad for not reading the fine print. Also after almost 3 years, we never had an issue with the corona wires.

Did you mean to say lease payment or do you mean click charge increases? I’ve heard of click charges being increased but never heard of them increasing lease payments