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bgrubb7 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-28-2007, 01:47 PM

We are a small offset shop (QMDI, QM46 & GT052).

Currently we job out all of our small digital runs (250 & under) to another shop. I've been given a 10K budget to find a color copier/printer.

I've got a quote at just under $8k for a Factory Rebuilt Doc-12 with either a EX12 or a Spash rip. I know this is Old Technology, its slow, and only feeds cover stock through the manual tray, but It seems like this is the best bet for the money. I also like the straight paper path of the doc 12. It is also important that whatever I get can be run on a similar service plan as the Xerox machines (0 base with click charge covering consumables and service)

I have also looked at the Xante Illumina. The price is right, but the consumable cost would eat me alive, since we'd be buying our own toner and parts. This machine is pretty much out of the question.

Are there any other machines Canon, Richoh, etc that I should be considering? I'd like something faster than the Doc 12, but I need a similar service contract and image quality to the Xerox machine.

Any Ideas or input would be gratly appreciated.

seetomtype · #2 (**permalink**) 06-28-2007, 02:18 PM

I ran a Doc 12 for a while and though it was slow, I really liked the way that the print
engine imaged. The straight paper path was another plus, though there was only so
much stock you could put into the bypass tray, so you had to baby sit it a bit. If you're
getting a RIP in the deal that's somewhat decent you may not be able to find a better
deal. If Xerox service is good in your area, like it was when I was running the 12, that's
another big plus. I've found that in our area 3rd party techs are a real crap shoot.

bgrubb7 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-29-2007, 08:49 AM

The Xerox service is great in our area. Even though we decided not to keep the 3535 after our demo month, the overall experience with Xerox and their support was a great one.

When you say babysit, do you mean the fact that it will only hold 25-50 sheets of cover stock in the bypass, or do you mean difficulty running different types of stock?

seetomtype · #4 (**permalink**) 06-29-2007, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgrubb7

When you say babysit, do you mean the fact that it will only hold 25-50 sheets of cover stock in the bypass...

This is what I mean. It makes long runs sort of a pain, though when I ran it my work
station was within arms reach of the tray. I just kept a stack of the given stock close.

y2b · #5 (**permalink**) 07-07-2007, 09:00 AM

we've got a Xerox 3535 in excellent condition, but we rarely use it because we've out grown it. If your interested, I can ask what they want for it. It served our digital needs for a few years until our digital printing needs became too big for it. It's a good machine and has always been under Xerox's maintenance.

bgrubb7 · #6 (**permalink**) 07-09-2007, 04:59 AM

Sure go ahead and ask. We had a 3535 in here for amonth on a demo, and weren't real happy with it. The feeding was a nightmare compared to a doc 12 (or the new 242s) and the paper curl was much worse than the doc 12. Of course we were big fans of the print quality itself. The matte finish toner is the closest look to offset that we've found.

We weren't looking for a 3535, but if the price is right, maybe.

You can PM me or email me with the info to: bgrubb[at]wortmanprinting[dot]com

Thanks!

Dagoof · #7 (**permalink**) 07-27-2007, 12:44 AM

I've also been looking at a 3535 (not looking to buy right now though) and was wondering if anyone could give me their impression of their ability to handle heavy card stock (whether it'll take 350 g/m2). I don't mind baby-sitting it and am open to other suggestions (I'd also seen the doc 12 but heard it wasn't as good in this respect).

nokomis · #8 (**permalink**) 07-27-2007, 06:55 AM

We have Xerox Doc 12. Initially, we used the ex12e V.1.0 rip, then we test drove the Splash G640 (Mac G5). The Splash rip easily surpasses the ex12 in all areas, especially calibration. Card stock through tray 5 is slow. Xerox support, here in Toronto, is excellent. Don't forget the patch to correct the meter from reading b&w as colour.

hangdog · #9 (**permalink**) 08-10-2007, 04:25 PM

i love my canon clc 4000. extra fuser roller lets you run extra-thick stock. fast Z6000 colorpass rip.
50 pages a min on letter 4/0.
11 pages a min on 11x17 coverstock 4/0
easy to work on - i do all maintenance.
requires two 220v circuits (!)
get a scanning densitometer to calibrate the rip - it makes a big quality difference. (Xrite DTP32).
parts / toner commonly avail on ebay - for example, i just received 4 primary corona assy's ($800 retail) for $200