Duplicator vs. Graphic offset press

What defines a duplicator press? I've seen the term "dupicator press" applied to certain models. What features would I look for in looking for a one or two color press that could do process color work? Can any of the small AB Dick or Itek or Ryobi presses produce process color output of good enough quality to run an 11 x 17 photographic image for a magazine or book? Or does one need a press of the caliber of a Heidelberg GTO to acomplish this?

 

A duplicator does not have cylinder bearers like a press, so running pressures are harder to maintain. Lack of control here causes a vareity of problems such as dot slur, sheet stretch, dot gain. A dup. will also usually have a "push" side guide and a press has an adjustable pull guide. Push guides are hard to get set so the sheets "register" thus causing fit problems on addtional runs. Good work can be done on a duplicator but its a chore and not very competitive.

 

Hi. It does says all over this forum- if you can afford an GTO rather any smaller press-get it. On other hand if you need to print a process color it is the best to have a 4 color press. You can look look for ryobi 3304 or Heidelberg qmdi plus or pro. Both can be purchased under 35k.

V

 

Hi
I have learned that what ever i say on this forum some one will contredict.....

But if you want to print good quality procces jobs , forget duplicators , take a real press !

If you are where no other 4 color presses can be found , yopu can go for a one/2 colors

yet if you have a 4 color press arround , do not attempt to beat it with a one color

Good luck & if you have more questions - feel free

 

i dont think people are contradicting you personally, but we all have our own opinions. i will agree that you cannot compete with a single colour press, buy a 2 colour or 4 colour. mines a 3302 and as i said before, i will put my full colour work up against any printed on any other press. alot of peoples problems is experience, ive been in the trade 23 years ish but i still wouldnt even try to do a 4 colour job on an ab dick 375 9810 ect. i may try it one day though just for a bit of fun.

 

Good white morning to you Plotter

It was a joke , i am not insulted by other opinions

Way back In the past i printed proccess jobs on a gestetner 311 with paper plates..... looked like hell , but it was ink on paper - i.e. PRINT.

Apart for the competative point of view , the quality is pure **** (m.m. l) and over the years i have come to a point i would not dare call it print any more as it would insult the real quality jobs...

A 3302 is a press , small , not to much of it but it's a press.
But when someone asks on the duplicators vs a press , i understand he has noi knowledge at all of the quality on both (not that you can't print **** on a 2012 XL press - you can for sure) so things are needed sdaid as sharp as possible to be clear.

 

A 4-color press is the correct way to go. For quality and production time you can't beat it. Set up needs to be considered. Duplicators need a highly experienced operator to produce this and eqiupment in top condition to perform this. Cost wise it is not profitable. Short runs go digital, Ricoh has a nice system, can't really tell much difference between our Heidelburg Speedmaster and the Ricoh with the new toner, but our Xerox docucolor big diff. Recommend 4 or 5 color Heidelburg GTO 52 with perfector for 2/2 (2 colors / 2-sided). Runs everything from #10 envelopes to 12 x 18.