Taking the next step – Printing and Laminating

[Peter Dee]

That’s an odd way of making a decision to buy a printer.
Have you got a customer base already for this type of work?

[David Rogers]

Like the post above – the only major recommendations is:

have a market…or it’ll be the worlds biggest doorstop…

[Kate Pollard]

No I already have a print base as I currently out source my printing to another company they use brother printers and just wanted to hear about your experiences with various machines. Im not going to run out and buy a printer on your say so Im just starting my research!

[Adam Triggs]

Hi Kate,

I have a slightly different view than the other guys.

I believe that you will push the product you have available. I got tired of outsourcing my standard print work, (i.e flyers and business cards) so I did the maths and we invested in a xerox press.

The orders we used to get for standard paper print have increased 10 fold.

Just an alternative view.

Cheers
Adam

[Kate Pollard]

Thanks Adam,

I too outsource my literature printing aswell as my digital print and lamination work for vehicles and graphics and think that by bringing this all in house I would make a larger profit I am positive that my roi would be worth getting one. Where did you get yours from?

I am also interested in peoples experiences with Mutoh Printers esp the rockhopper 3

[Adam Triggs]

With the xerox machine for Business cards Booklets and flyer’s you’ll spend at least £1000 per month on the unit as it is maintained and toner fed from the manufacturer, free toner but you pay for every piece of paper that passes through it. Swings and roundabouts, Need to get your sum’s right. We have built our business on offering a complete printing package. from business cards to banners.

Wide format I bought the Mimaki jV3. Bought from AIT. Nice machine good quality, the shiraz rip is great.

Don’t know about the rockhopper.

Cheers
Adam

[Jason Xuereb]

Adam which xerox press do you have?

[Adam Triggs]

Only the Docucolour 242

Great for flyers, booklets and Business cards, We use web2print software which produces on line pdf previews for our regular customers and sends the artwork straight to the rip.

Awesome piece of kit. Any specific questions ?

Cheers
Adam

[Nick Findlater]

what is the running cost of it?

for instance for flyers?

[Adam Triggs]

Hi Nick,

It doesn’t really work like that,

First you have the machine on lease quarterly fee
Then you pay for every impression you make i.e. 10p for one side of A3 20p for duplexed.

You really need to ensure you will have the volume for it to make it pay its way. If you can guarantee 35,000 a5 flyers a month, drom multipul customers happy days.
Or do something a little more than just printing the same stuff.

Volume printing market is really saturated and you have to offer something special these days to allow you to charge higher fees.

Hope this help.

Cheers
Adam

[Nick Findlater]

hmm, it sounds quite expensive to run?

For instance 5,000 double sided A5 flyers would cost £250 (not including the lease fee)

Is that correct?

thanks

[Chris Wool]

quote Nick Findlater:

hmm, it sounds quite expensive to run?

For instance 5,000 double sided A5 flyers would cost £250 (not including the lease fee)

Is that correct?

thanks

or the paper or the time to print and cut up, can still make money.

chris

[Adam Triggs]

Hi All,

You’re right guys. It is a toy you need to have output through. But the support is outstanding, there are no cost for ink and repairs. and engineer comes within 8 hours.

The important bit, as I said earlier, is to ensure you are not just a flyer printer. That market is saturated. The machine can do all manner of things for much higher margin.

My Best day last week,
Cost of paper £112 + VAT
Cost of clicks £510 + VAT
Operator time £100 ish
Plus power for the day

Invoiced to client £2950 + VAT (a good day) This was for a variable data job. It is only worth it if you do the clever bits, It is not worth it if you are looking to compete with established flyer printers.

Digital technology is changing so fast and the cost is coming down year on year, you should hold out for about 2-3 years when it will change from Laser technology to dot matrix and then the cost will hit the floor. The Digital print calculator for a print run dictates that 5000 sheets or less is more cost effective than litho, more than 5000 it’s litho all the way. The key benefits purely comes down to speed.

We charge a premium for rapid walk in print requirements. Hope that helps, Anyone seriously interested give me a call and I’ll help any way I can.

Cheers
Adam