color laser suggestions

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wes.faul

I am looking at color laser printers and was hoping somebody could give
me some good suggestions. First of all, I would be purchasing a few
printers to split up the work. I would like something that prints
about 30 pages/minute color, which would limit me to a single-pass
printer. Most of it would be b&w with some color. The printers would
need to be able to handle at least 100,000 pages per month. Because of
the higher volume, large capacity trays would be necessary. No
finishing (stapling, etc...) would be necessary. Most of the printing
would be on 8.5x11, but some 11x17 might be necessary for newsletters,
etc... I was looking something in the range of the Xerox 7400.
I am thinking that multiple smaller printers would be better than one
larger printer (for example a Xerox DocuColor or something similar). I
was thinking that because of redundancy and cost of replacement (if I
had one DocuColor and it went down, I'd be dead in the water until I
got it fixed or got another one). Because of the amount of volume that
I would be doing, cost per page (toner, drum, etc...) would be
important. Does anybody have some good recommendations on printers or
even a website comparing cost per pages for major manufacturers and
models?
Thanks,
Wes
 
I am looking at color laser printers and was hoping somebody could give
me some good suggestions. First of all, I would be purchasing a few
printers to split up the work. I would like something that prints
about 30 pages/minute color, which would limit me to a single-pass
printer. Most of it would be b&w with some color. The printers would
need to be able to handle at least 100,000 pages per month. Because of
the higher volume, large capacity trays would be necessary. No
finishing (stapling, etc...) would be necessary. Most of the printing
would be on 8.5x11, but some 11x17 might be necessary for newsletters,
etc... I was looking something in the range of the Xerox 7400.
I am thinking that multiple smaller printers would be better than one
larger printer (for example a Xerox DocuColor or something similar). I
was thinking that because of redundancy and cost of replacement (if I
had one DocuColor and it went down, I'd be dead in the water until I
got it fixed or got another one). Because of the amount of volume that
I would be doing, cost per page (toner, drum, etc...) would be
important.
Click to expand...

Those last two requirements are mutually exclusive.

The less you pay for the printer, the more you pay per page. The more
you pay for the printer, the less you pay per page.

I'd say do the math, but the printers on which you buy the supplies are
conspicuously missing per page costs....and that's very much on purpose.

The DocuColor 240/250 will be your best bet to meet your requirements.
In addition, it's not likely to go down in a way that you can't fix it.
And you can get a guaranteed cost per page, including ink. Or not, if
you so choose.

But the smaller printers will eat you alive on supply costs. Only you
can determine if that cost is worth it to have two or three of the
smaller ones around.
 
I am looking at color laser printers and was hoping somebody could give
me some good suggestions. First of all, I would be purchasing a few
printers to split up the work. I would like something that prints
about 30 pages/minute color, which would limit me to a single-pass
printer. Most of it would be b&w with some color. The printers would
need to be able to handle at least 100,000 pages per month. Because of
the higher volume, large capacity trays would be necessary. No
finishing (stapling, etc...) would be necessary. Most of the printing
would be on 8.5x11, but some 11x17 might be necessary for newsletters,
etc... I was looking something in the range of the Xerox 7400.
I am thinking that multiple smaller printers would be better than one
larger printer (for example a Xerox DocuColor or something similar). I
was thinking that because of redundancy and cost of replacement (if I
had one DocuColor and it went down, I'd be dead in the water until I
got it fixed or got another one). Because of the amount of volume that
I would be doing, cost per page (toner, drum, etc...) would be
important. Does anybody have some good recommendations on printers or
even a website comparing cost per pages for major manufacturers and
models?
Thanks,
Wes
Click to expand...


Clarification please. You said "Most of it would be b&w with some
color. "

Does that mean that the typical page being printed would be mostly b&w
but there would be some color on the page, or does it mean that most
of the pages being printed would be b&w but some of them would have
color?

If it is the first circumstance then what you need is a high volume
b&w printer plus an additional color printer for the color jobs.

And for high volume b&w printing my suggestion would be to look at
some of the digital photocopiers with network printer interfaces.
These can provide very economical printing. Here in Canada we get
meter rates of 1.7 cents or less per page all supplies included
(except paper).

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."
 
Ron said:
Clarification please. You said "Most of it would be b&w with some
color. "

Does that mean that the typical page being printed would be mostly b&w
but there would be some color on the page, or does it mean that most
of the pages being printed would be b&w but some of them would have
color?

If it is the first circumstance then what you need is a high volume
b&w printer plus an additional color printer for the color jobs.

And for high volume b&w printing my suggestion would be to look at
some of the digital photocopiers with network printer interfaces.
These can provide very economical printing. Here in Canada we get
meter rates of 1.7 cents or less per page all supplies included
(except paper).

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."
Click to expand...

A particular page would be mostly b&w with a little bit of color -
maybe a color logo or graph.
 
In message said:
I am looking at color laser printers and was hoping somebody could give
me some good suggestions. First of all, I would be purchasing a few
printers to split up the work. I would like something that prints
about 30 pages/minute color, which would limit me to a single-pass
printer. Most of it would be b&w with some color. The printers would
need to be able to handle at least 100,000 pages per month. Because of
the higher volume, large capacity trays would be necessary. No
finishing (stapling, etc...) would be necessary. Most of the printing
would be on 8.5x11, but some 11x17 might be necessary for newsletters,
etc... I was looking something in the range of the Xerox 7400.
I am thinking that multiple smaller printers would be better than one
larger printer (for example a Xerox DocuColor or something similar). I
was thinking that because of redundancy and cost of replacement (if I
had one DocuColor and it went down, I'd be dead in the water until I
got it fixed or got another one). Because of the amount of volume that
I would be doing, cost per page (toner, drum, etc...) would be
important. Does anybody have some good recommendations on printers or
even a website comparing cost per pages for major manufacturers and
models?
Click to expand...

You can also look at Canon's machines eg Canon iR6870Ci
or the Aficio 5560. Both of which seem to have options for extra paper
trays that carry several thousand sheets.

Since you need to keep the machines up and running, I'd see what you can
arrange in the way of a supplies contract with a set time limit for call
out.
 
Most of it would be b&w with some color. The printers would
need to be able to handle at least 100,000 pages per month. Because of
the higher volume, large capacity trays would be necessary. No
finishing (stapling, etc...) would be necessary. Most of the printing
would be on 8.5x11, but some 11x17 might be necessary for newsletters,
etc.
Click to expand...

Wes-

A 100,000 pages per month is quite a big load. That is 3300 pages per day
or an average of 7 pages per minute during one 8 hour work shift. You
describe an industrial situation.

It seems to me that many color laser printers with 11X17 capability might
fit into your category. With the volume of work you require, having at
least two printers would not only provide redundancy, but would help with
throughput.

If you need double-sided (duplex) printing, you may have difficulty
attaining anywhere near your 30 pages per minute specification.
Similarly, each job requires CPU setup time, so you would need to print
many copies of each to gain speed.

I suggest you nose around the local office supply stores that offer
printing services, and see what equipment they are using. Then pick the
major brands and contact their sales departments for their
recommendations. After you make your decision, get to know the local
printer service staff, because you will need their services fairly
regularly.

Fred
 
Fred said:
Wes-

A 100,000 pages per month is quite a big load. That is 3300 pages per day
or an average of 7 pages per minute during one 8 hour work shift. You
describe an industrial situation.

It seems to me that many color laser printers with 11X17 capability might
fit into your category. With the volume of work you require, having at
least two printers would not only provide redundancy, but would help with
throughput.

If you need double-sided (duplex) printing, you may have difficulty
attaining anywhere near your 30 pages per minute specification.
Similarly, each job requires CPU setup time, so you would need to print
many copies of each to gain speed.

I suggest you nose around the local office supply stores that offer
printing services, and see what equipment they are using. Then pick the
major brands and contact their sales departments for their
recommendations. After you make your decision, get to know the local
printer service staff, because you will need their services fairly
regularly.

Fred
Click to expand...

On the other hand, 30 pages per minute is 1800 pages per hour.
100,000 /1800 is about 55 hours per month, which is only 2-3 hours per
day. My print jobs will vary in size from 500 to 25,000 each, with
most being about 7,500 or under. Each job will actually be split up
into multiple 500 page jobs (roughly). I was thinking smaller printers
(or at least multiple printers) because 'burst' speed would be more
important than the length of time it can last. For example, I'd rather
print at 90 pages per minute for an hour than 30 pages per minute for 3
hours. With the prices of, for example, at Phaser 7400 at $5,000
compared to a Docucolor 250 at ???, I can buy quite a few more Phasers,
have I don't know how many times the through-put, and even have a few
extras in case another one goes down.
One thing I don't know is if the smaller printers can hold up to
printing for 2-3 hours straight every day. I assume something like the
DocuColor 250 is made for that.
Wes
 
wes said:
On the other hand, 30 pages per minute is 1800 pages per hour.
100,000 /1800 is about 55 hours per month, which is only 2-3 hours per
day. My print jobs will vary in size from 500 to 25,000 each, with
most being about 7,500 or under. Each job will actually be split up
into multiple 500 page jobs (roughly). I was thinking smaller printers
(or at least multiple printers) because 'burst' speed would be more
important than the length of time it can last. For example, I'd rather
print at 90 pages per minute for an hour than 30 pages per minute for 3
hours. With the prices of, for example, at Phaser 7400 at $5,000
compared to a Docucolor 250 at ???, I can buy quite a few more Phasers,
have I don't know how many times the through-put, and even have a few
extras in case another one goes down.
One thing I don't know is if the smaller printers can hold up to
printing for 2-3 hours straight every day. I assume something like the
DocuColor 250 is made for that.
Click to expand...

Cost per page is going to be a consideration, the larger machines are
going to need less things changing less often and should have a lower
cost per copy.

Also list prices are a bit bizarre when it comes to these larger
machines, eg: the Ricoh Aficio 5560c (You can probably find it badged
Infotec, Nashuatec and Savin as well) any
http://www.photocopierwarehouse.co.uk/ricoh_copiers_price_list.htm
Tells me the 'list price' is £33,595 whereas I can have one for £15,395
That machine evidently does 55 ppm colour 60 black

Have you tried talking to someone like Ikon?
 
Found this at Xerox's site:

http://www.office.xerox.com/latest/OPBFS-13.PDF

Mind you, the costs are based on 20% colour coverage.

Couldn't find anything similar for the Workcenter 7655/7665, which
might be a more suitable device. There are some BLI reviews that are
interesting. Again, a higher initial outlay, but consumables last
longer and should be less expensive per page. This one has a lot more
features and expandability relative to the 7400, including an
accounting function which may help with your business as well. With
it's two black cartridges, you can add toner-on-the-fly. Larger input
trays allow it to run longer as well without interruption. Features
such as these also drive down the cost per page through increased
productivity.

http://www.office.xerox.com/color-multifunction/workcentre-7655-7665/news-enus.html
 
Most of the machines we have been suggesting have been copiers, but it
suddenly occurred to me the Xante Illumina might be the job for you, if
you doin't want the extra ability of photocopying etc.

www.xante.com
 
I am looking at color laser printers and was hoping somebody could give
me some good suggestions. First of all, I would be purchasing a few
printers to split up the work. I would like something that prints
about 30 pages/minute color, which would limit me to a single-pass
printer. Most of it would be b&w with some color. The printers would
need to be able to handle at least 100,000 pages per month. Because of
the higher volume, large capacity trays would be necessary. No
finishing (stapling, etc...) would be necessary. Most of the printing
would be on 8.5x11, but some 11x17 might be necessary for newsletters,
etc... I was looking something in the range of the Xerox 7400.
Click to expand...

I'm thinking that maybe a small printing press would be a good addition to a
printer or two. Of that 100k pages, how many are copies of hte same things,
such as newsletter?
 
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