So is it economically viable to run book prints of several hundred to several thousand with a duplicator. So far in reader it appears that it is? Also what happens to the stencils? Can they be kept and used again? Whats more can anyone recomend a duplicator in particular? Im looking to print black and white text really (i know this is the color forum :/) and to a lesser degree perhaps blackand white photos. What are the ink costs like? Thats a lot of questions.
Yes this is the ideal range for a digital duplicator if the books contain only text and no photographs or intricate graphics. You're looking at a half cent per page with a very small investment in equipment and a virtually instantly changeover page to page with a digital duplicator vs. a used press. Also you can run spot colors, if you wanted to print a book in sepia or use navy blue ink for envelopes. I doubt it would be worthwhile to try and save and reload the fairly cheap masters. If you're going to print photos, I'd look at a laser copier or a used offset press for much better quality and dramatically better / finer screen for images. With a laser, you can get 1.5 cents per black and white page which won't break the bank for runs of this length.
Thanks for the answer. May i also ask is it posible to refil the ink cartridges for a duplicator or would that be bad?
I've had customers refill them, and nine times out of ten the quality falls off so much to the point that you won't use it. Here's a duplicator tip for you, if you develop a hole in the poly plate, there is no need to make another. Take the Image Drum out, find the cut or the hole on the poly plate and then cover the hole or the cut with scotch tape. Of course if the cut or the hole is in the image area, you have to burn a new plate. http://www.mfpsolutions.blogspot.com
So for printing books whats the best paper to use. Would it be 50gsm? Does it have to be coated so it wont absorb too much ink.
I think coated paper will give you more trouble on a digital duplicator. You'll have problems with ink offset and dry time. Especially with a book when you're going to want to flip immediately and print the backside.
