Q. How do small print shops as well as large shops cost effectively produce
one and two-color work? The Standard Digital Duplicator provides the solution if you print
envelopes, greeting cards, business cards, NCR, newsletter, tags, plastic, etc.
This new technology can immediately make you competitive and most important
– profitable.
Q. What’s
a Digital Duplicator? It is a machine that combines four technologies into one box in your shop. These
are:
1. Offset printing – ink and paper @ 7,200 IPH
2. Digital copier – look like
one, easy to operate
3.
Computer printers – is networked
4. CTP is built into the machine.
Q. What does it feature?
The digital duplicator features:
1.
Fast make-ready; about 29 seconds
2. Fast clean-up at end of day (turn it off)
3. Grippers to hold the sheet while printing
4. Impression
cylinder that is same size as plate cylinder
5. Easy to buy - costs over 50% less than new offset duplicators
6. Ease
of operating – if you can run a copier, you can run this
Q. Yes, but will all this new technology, how does it really stack up cost-wise
versus my offset duplicator? Here are the numbers:
Job Description Approximate Production Costs
Small Offset Standard Duplicator
1,000 single-color envelope | $20 | $ 4 |
| 2,000 single-color
envelope | $26 | $ 7 |
| 1,000 two-color
envelope | $28 | $ 7 |
| 2,000 two-color envelope | $36 | $10 |
| 1,000 single-color 8.5” x 11” or 11” x 17” | $19 | $ 4 |
| 2,000 single-color 8.5” x 11” or
11” x 17” | $23 | $ 7 |
| 1,000 two-color 8.5” x 11” or 11” x 17”
| $27 | $ 5 |
| 2,000 two-color 8.5” x 11” or 11” x 17” | $33 | $ 8 |
Average small offset cost $26.50. Average Standard
Duplicator cost $6.50 = This is a 400% cost saving
Q. Who has one and what do they say? This is new technology, but rapidly moving.
Fuller Grafix, Inc. has just brought this to the market and expects huge interest and installations as they have done
in Wisconsin.
Just to the north of us, a Johnson Creek Printer installs a Standard SD-650 Digital Duplicator.
Here is what they benefits are according to Todd Schneider of Schneider Printing in Johnson Creek, WI.
Q. Compared
to a press? Set up time is vastly quicker. The SD-650 uses an inexpensive master that is
made internally versus taking the time to create a more expensive traditional plate. Far faster and less
expensive!
Paper
waste is far lower. Up to color in two sheets versus 20+ on his press.
No wash-ups when doing a color change.
Simply insert a different color drum.
Overall ease of operation. The quality is so good and the operation so easy,
Todd was able to pull a significant amount of work off his press and put it on the SD-650 eliminating substantial hours of
pre-press and press time each week. Anyone can run this machine.
Q. What type of work is Todd running
on his SD-65? Envelopes,
greeting cards, business cards, NCR, newsletters, tags, etc.
Q. Compared to a copier?
Since we’re using
actual ink versus a heat and toner combination, there is no resulting static which makes folding and other finishing easier.
Cost per copy is far, far less
and the SD-650 has a useable life expectancy significantly beyond that of any copier. Maintenance is very
minimal. No click charges to deal with.
Can feed a much broader range of stock than any copier and at up to 120 pieces per minute, it’s
far faster than most any copier.
Schneider’s SD-650 is interfaced to their computer allowing them to download
customer files with ease providing a truly digital process of producing their work. Schneider also opted
for the UV Dryer which enables him to immediately progress with his work without concern for drying time. In
addition to the numerous stock ink colors available, Schneider has also made use of the custom PMS ink colors that can be
run on his system.
Short Run High Quality Digital Solution
Fuller Grafix, Inc. and Konica Minolta have entered into a dealership agreement to represent
Konica Minolta graphic imaging equipment and supplies. The KMGI product line includes a vast supply of
conventional films, image setter films, conventional and thermal plates, as well at the LD5100, 50 page per minute digital
color laser printing system. The LD5100 is
designed for the printing industry featuring a graphic arts RIP, full bleed 12 x 18, low cost of operation, and most important
for the printing industry, no click charge. Larry
R. Fuller, President & CEO of Fuller Grafix, Inc. stated we are quite excited to bring a digital color solution to our
current and future customers that compliment our full line of traditional, automated press, prepress and post press equipment. Furthermore, Fuller stated that with the Konica Minolta
LD5100, any commercial printer can supplement the short run color needs of the print buyer and also offer variable data needs,
easily economically and fast. 
