Help with digital equipment decision

[panamajack]

I’m about to open a new full-service print shop and I’m at a critical decision point. I have two offers on the table and need some advice. My vision for the business is to open concentrating on traditional printing (forms, letterhead, brochures, biz-cards. Etc). Once I have established a traditional business customer base I plan on moving towards becoming a marketing consultant for small to medium business which will require the capability to provide complex VDP and a consistent high quality color product. My two choices are
1. KM C6501 with internal fiery, 60 month FMV lease and a click charge of .045 color and .01 B&W
2. Xerox 700 with internal fiery, 60 month FMV lease and a click charge of .049 color and .01 B&W
The problem in the lease payment for the Xerox in $400 per month more than the KM. I’m well capitalized so I can afford the extra but I don’t want to throw money away All advice will be greatly appreciated
V/R

[Beergod]

I have evaluated both of these engines and although they are priced close together that is all that is fair to compare. The 700 is operator serviceable (which means less down time) and is available with the FreeFlow front end which, in my opinion, is better than the EFI solution (I could write a long page just on this alone).
The KM 6501 is a good machine as well. The feed system is very robust and if you are running a multitude of substrates then its going to do well.
Where these machines dont compare is in print quality, consistency and registration front to back. I have logged a lot of testing on both of these engines and I can tell you with confidence that the 700 is more money because you are truely getting more for your money. If you reprint your work regularly then I would without a doubt go with the 700. On the other hand, if you are just doing "quick-print" work then save your money and go with the 6501.

[JJBenderLLC]

If I were you I would forget both offers, and instead start looking to lease a Konica 6500. The only difference between the 6501 and the 6500 is the print engine, so basically if you go with the 6500 you are getting the same machine for half the monthly leasing price you would pay for the Xerox 700 or 6501--that’s a savings of 500+ dollars a month, and the 6500 is a fantastic machine.

And here is the real kicker....if in a years time you decide "My business is doing well, I want to upgrade to the KM 6501," the accessories are interchangeable, meaning you would only have to drop about 400 bucks to get the 6501 print engine (the fiery and all the accessories would stay the same).

I hope this advice helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

JJ Bender
203-336-4034

[Craig]

There is a reason KM is cheaper... open it up and try to find the metal parts. It's like where's Waldo.

[short_stop4]

Hey Jack, be careful printing letterheads with digital printers using toner. When the company runs the letterhead back through a laserjet printer (which uses tremendous heat), it can reheat the toner that you printed on there and make it run/smear.

Can others confirm this?

[JohnT]

Hey Jack, be careful printing letterheads with digital printers using toner. When the company runs the letterhead back through a laserjet printer (which uses tremendous heat), it can reheat the toner that you printed on there and make it run/smear.

Can others confirm this?

We can confirm this. We have an older Doc 12 (soon to be replaced) where this can be an issue. I am told that the newer machines being made have addressed this issue. Before a person runs the whole print job I would have that issue checked out as a precaution...

[vwrome]

I would give a look at the Ricoh Pro C550 and 700EX. The are a pretty nice machine.

[JJBenderLLC]

Craig, I’m not sure which Konica machine you’re referring to…or if you’re confusing it with Ricoh, but Konica’s are pure steel. The base frame alone is over 740 pounds.

[panamajack]

Hey Jack, be careful printing letterheads with digital printers using toner. When the company runs the letterhead back through a laserjet printer (which uses tremendous heat), it can reheat the toner that you printed on there and make it run/smear.

Can others confirm this?

Short Stop

Thanks for the info! I've also heard that letterhead has some problems on digital. Can anyone verify that the Xerox 700 with it's new type of toner may be less prone to letterhead problems? BTW I'll be opening with a 2 color offeset press in addition to which ever digital machine I decide on.

[John A]

The toner the X700 uses has a lower melt temperature which makes it more of a problem on letterhead that is to be run back through a laser printer.

I'm not sure there are any toner based digital printers that are safe for letterhead applications.

Has anybody found a digital press out there that works for letterhead?