What is the best digital press on the market for image quality and cost for short run printing(< 5000)?

Question

I am a small-sized commercial printer that is attempting to move from offset to digital as my customer base has a higher demand for quick turnaround short run aplications. I am also attempting to reduce the waste and costly time consumption of offset printing. I am looking to purchase a digital press and would like to get feedback from industry pllayers who have had experience with the various digital presses available on the market (ie HP Indigo, Xerox iGen3, Xerox DocuColor, Kodak Versamark,etc,..) The cost issue is also important as is troubleshooting and maintenance.

Answer 1

I have been in the printing industry for over 8 years and have delt with digital printers. Below is what I have experienced.

Heidelberg QMDI(Pro used $150k-$200k, new $350-$500k): Although Heidelberg doesn't make this press any longer, they still service them. Ryobi and Kodak are making the QMDI better than Heidelberg did. Great for short runs (250-50k). Most printers gang run for cost reasons as you may know. Quality is good and can run stock up to 12pt coated or uncoated at speeds of 10k per hour(not recommended). The usual speed is 7,500-8,500 to limit hickies and roller marks. You may encounter roller marks and ghosting due to the way the paper is feed into the press and the size of the rollers.

Nexpress 2100($350k): This digital press was a joint venture between Kodak & Heidelberg. Kodak bought them out and began making the Nexpress 2100. Expensive machine. 350k brand new plus you have a click charge. One thing about this press is that before it prints your job, it feeds 5-10 blank sheets of stock before printing. This is to help keep the press clean. But this may not work. Morning setup takes 20-35 minutes and then 40 minutes to shut down(cleaning of machine). Kodak will send a person from your company to the East coast for training. This training is usually $8k. Then you have your click charge TBD by your sales rep. When we had bought this machine, we had 2 months of no charges! Which was great! But then the click charge was .12-14¢ per 12x18 sheet one side color and then .04¢ black and white.

Xerox 2045, 6060, 8000 or IGen($500k): I have worked with the 2045($30k used) 6060($45-65k used). These are your copiers on steriods. Duplex printing in one pass, 45-60 sheets per minute with good quality. Thickest stock to run is 100lb Book. We tried 12pt but the paper had to much moisture which squeezed out to much water. Has many paper trays to load it up and let it be which is good. You can gang run or set 1 job on the sheet. The 8000 is a sibling to the IGen. Almost the same components but the IGen is the daddy for the bunch. Easy to run(they will send you to Los Angeles for training).

Indigo($200-$350k): Since HP bought Indigo they have been pretty good. Variable data, 5th color and inline coating are great. A lot of the online stamp photos use the Indigo. Good quality and fast turnaround on jobs.

Xeikon: Won best press at Graphics Expo. Great web color press. 12x?. I have not seen the quality on this press but from what I have read, it's great!

Hope this helps. Any questions contact me.

Answer 2

Best Digital Press

Answer 3

digital press market image quality cost short run printing 5000

Answer 4

eplot printing company they are providing the world best quality material and also chief so just go through their URL given below and compare than other.......


http://www.eplot.com.au

Answer 5

shutterstock