In over my head

Hey guys,

I know am probably not posting in the right spot, but I am realizing that I am in over my head.

I have to believe with the onslaught of small print shops, print on demand companies and self publishers that there is an affordable, small scale offset solution out there geared towards those small print companies, like me. But after days of perusing google, I fail.

If you can point me in the right direction, I will go chasing it. I just need to know which way to go. I want the ability to print cheaper than digital, to add varnishes or different inks to my cover, and to do it with a group of machines that don't require massive space or massive investments (though I'm not afraid of either.. I just want to avoid them). Is there anything like that?

Thanks,
Anthony

 

maybe the ryobi 2800 or 3200?

 

Anthonyw,

There are a lot of solutions on the market for you to consider. I would advise against a Ryobi 2800/3200 unless you are going to do 1 & 2 color work. But that market is shrinking. To accuratly give you more of an idea of which direction to head more information would be required. What is your budget? What % of your work is color? What equipment do you have now...if any? What are your customers quality requirements? There are a lot of questions to be asked before giving you accurate information.

 

Thank you for your response.

I called the Ryobi people and was told that entry level, new model 3304 presses are going to start at around $200k. I have to believe with the number of self-publishers, small shops, and print on demand people that there are solutions out there that provide at least 4 color offset press quality and features but at lower costs. Am I wrong? Is that really what the entry level is looking at?

To answer some of your questions, the 3304 isn't out of my budget, but it's more than I wanted to invest in this company.

I am printing books. If I am going to do it, I am going to do it right, so i want the highest quality possible and reasonably necessary (ie, if we are talking differences that you don't catch w/ the naked eye, then I don't care).

Every book has at least a color cover... and potentially color all the way throughout.

It really comes down to, how many books can I sell to get my money back. I know that... but putting that aside, are there not cheaper, entry level machines that don't overly sacrifice quality?

 

Look towards used equipment. A good pressman will have no problem at all operating an older press efficiantly provided it has been maintaned well.

 

Neil nailed it.. keep up your research you will not fail

 

Ryobi 3304

If you are looking for a used 3304H (no console) please let me know . I have one with 25 mil revolutions that must go. It's a good press but needs a decent operator as well. Looking for 30K.

Thanks.

Paul

 

Anthony,

Just a thought. In these uncertain times why not broker the job to a trade shop. You can go for the press approval. Saves you the expense of purchasing a press.

 

my feelings on any kind of a major purchase to include presses is that its better to buy higher quality used than to buy lower quality new. i say this within reason of course. spend a few more bucks and buy yourself a real printing press instead of a duplicator. ive intentionally not mentioned any brands so as not to piss anyone off but i think we all know who the serious press manufacturers are here

 

it should also be noted anthony that its not just about how one press can print when compared to another. im sure you can get a decent looking sheet to come out the delivery end of just about any press but the questions to ask yourself are..... how hard do you have to work to make it look good, and.... for how long will the press be able to keep doing it at them required levels??? if your in it for the long haul you will want something that will last you awhile.

 

What I would look for

Hello, I have a couple thoughts in regard to your concerns. If your main projects are going to be books I would look for a perfecting capable press for 1/1 ,and I agree with the other people here that a good used Heidelberg (there I said it) is definately the way to go. I have seen several used GTO52 -2 under $ 35,000.
With the budget you mentioned You could step up the 74cm market .Also,while the single sheet feeder is good for a variety of different stocks I would go for a stream feeder if I was just doing book work.

 

Have you thought of more then one say a cheaper two color with perfector for type and old heildberg mom or even half sive speed master for covers and color sheets. You thinking folding and binding or web for books? Muller martitni or single binder?