Need laser printer to print heavy cardstock 16pt postcards

I have some thousands of 4x6 postcards printed 4:0 on heavy 16pt stock and uv coated on the front. '

The back has not been uv coated but it's still coated stock so inkjet ink seems to not set well at all on it - smears even an hour after printed.

I would like to find a not-too-expensive laser printer that could print these on the back a couple hundred at a time with variable data including not only the address but also a message with a few small light-coverage graphics that have reasonable quality (but immensely high quality is not needed.)

Anyone know of a printer that can feed 16pt 350gsm 4"x6" postcards like this?

I currently have the Ricoh C411dn. I know I can run 14pt on it(through the bypass tray), but too sure about 16pt.
It's got excellent color output and runs like a workhorse.
It ranges about $1,000-$1,300.
Good Luck!

My very cheap, small black and white Ricoh AP2100 will run 12pt fast and with ease but won't pull 16pt cards though. Gave it a little test and it will in fact print 16pt but because of the feed angle which requires the paper to take a z course through the printer (in, 90 degrees up, and 90 degrees out vs. straight through) the 16pt is stiff enough that it needs a firm manual nudge to make it past the first bend. Otherwise it jams right off every time on the stiffer 16pt.

My other really cheap HP2600 will also do 12pt cards, maybe 14pt postcards (not sure) with ease. But the 16pt cards feed inconsistently and they're so heavy it throws the registration off which can't be good.

I follow the stock guidlines percisely on my larger machines so I won't even think of trying that though I believe they would likely handle it, it would cost too much in the long run if it threw a part out of order.

So I suspect the adivce above will be as good as you will get. I don't know of a laser under $1,000 that can do this with ease. The Xante illumina would of course be on target for this job if you could get a well-used one or have other uses for it.

Any other thoughts on this post?

I still don't have a great solution. I only run one subscription renewal list as postcards for 120 a month right now so I only think about it once a month when running those through in small stacks. I've used up the last of my 12 pt cards and am now running 14 pt cards which isn't as reliable feeding. Have one big printer's lease coming up so I could use that, but it's still printing so well that I hate to risk scoring the fuser in the middle with the small cards. I could get the C411dn mentioned in the post above for $600 now though so maybe procrastination is good!

where do you get thick postcard stock?

Jeff said:

I still don't have a great solution. I only run one subscription renewal list as postcards for 120 a month right now so I only think about it once a month when running those through in small stacks. I've used up the last of my 12 pt cards and am now running 14 pt cards which isn't as reliable feeding. Have one big printer's lease coming up so I could use that, but it's still printing so well that I hate to risk scoring the fuser in the middle with the small cards. I could get the C411dn mentioned in the post above for $600 now though so maybe procrastination is good!

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hey, I'd love to know where you bought your blank postcard media, i've had great trouble finding anything above 11pt thickness which is far too thin to be considered a proper postcard - imho.

Sorry - when we were printing 14pt and 16pt cards we were just laser printing the backs of offset printed color fronts. I never had a good solution for printing the color photo along with variable data on the back of the 16pt cards - had print issues, feeding issues, etc. I had to constantly babysit those and restart several times with misfeeds or jams.

I ended up changing to 12pt kromekote which I'm running now digital front and back and then cutting to card size. Not quite as nice as the 14pt or 16pt cards but acceptable to me and makes running it a whole lot faster and easier. The 12 pt kromekote is easily obtained in laser-size cut sheets of 11x17 or 12 x 18. Heavier than that and you have to cut yourself or have them cut it down for you.

Jeff said:

Sorry - when we were printing 14pt and 16pt cards we were just laser printing the backs of offset printed color fronts. I never had a good solution for printing the color photo along with variable data on the back of the 16pt cards - had print issues, feeding issues, etc. I had to constantly babysit those and restart several times with misfeeds or jams.

I ended up changing to 12pt kromekote which I'm running now digital front and back and then cutting to card size. Not quite as nice as the 14pt or 16pt cards but acceptable to me and makes running it a whole lot faster and easier. The 12 pt kromekote is easily obtained in laser-size cut sheets of 11x17 or 12 x 18. Heavier than that and you have to cut yourself or have them cut it down for you.

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thanks, I ordered some sample kromekote, 12pt is better than something thinner. I guess the main stumbling block is the fact the card has to curve round a roller, i never thought it would be so hard to print some proper postcards at home!

Xante Ilumina

I'd try the Xante Ilumina.

It's supposed to be a modified Okidata that can handle really thick stock.

~Patrick

Visit: www.intecprinters.com for the ultimate heavy stock solution.

Repeat

I just answered in another thread so I'll copy and paste:

Ok, first off...whether you're looking at a Xante', Xerox, Xitron, Pitney Bowes, Diamond Enterprises, and however many other versions of that exist out there...they are made by Okidata. Some have different feeders available.

Second, if you're going to do low volume orders of full color postcards with variable data, such as barcodes, addresses, etc...this is the best option. Get yourself set up as a reseller with a commercial printer and a mail house. In exchange for a smaller profit margin per order, you'll only have to pay when you get something printed or addressed and barcoded...which means keeping your $3,000 until your volume is big enough to justify getting your own equipment.

1. A commercial printer (you'll have to shop around of course) does gang runs and will be able to print small batches for less than you can...at least right now. But you'll also get the benefit of their high end equipment for outstanding quality (which you need to grow your business to keep customers happy and word of mouth advertising).

2. Postal regulations are a nightmare and can be costly. You'll need a special printer to address cut up cards or a special printer to print the information at the same time you print the cards (which is your original problem and question). These address printers run $7k0$10k entry level. Software can run up to $2,000 which is necessary for the addressing, bar coding, and discounts, and you'll need a bulk mail permit. A mail house is used to this stuff and may be worth the outsourcing cost.

3. Any machine that you can afford with your budget is most likely not going to cut it...I know b/c I've tried and ruined machines and parts. Card stock is tricky. You MUST have a machine with settings for it because the fusing temperature must be hotter and the corona wires must have a greater charge to transfer the toner...otherwise bad image quality or the toner won't stick to the paper and usually the card stock must pass through the machine slower than normal stock.

Look for printers that "sell to the trade" only.

Some good magazines to hook up with are:
American Printer
Printing Impressions
Quick Printer or Quick Printing