Any such thing as a gloss finisher for toner-based digital printers?

Jeff said:
I just got three emails back from k2 -- they seem very responsive to questions so I don't think they're out of business :)

The Varstar looks like an awesome machine, but you need some serious volume to pay for $150,000 for a glossing-only unit. For that amount of money we could buy a used Heidelberg with inline coating...
Click to expand...

They did go out of business. Took ALOT of peoples money with them.

One of their main development engineers went to Kompac to help with their coater.
 
    • Guess I read that one wrong over the phone -- glad I didn't jump on a k2 machine, though maybe it would have been ok as our volume is so low it probably wouldn't have required parts for years to come.

    I got samples back form kompac that I had sent printed on our standard 32#/80# Mohawk uncoated and they called to let me know that it wouldn't work on the uncoated stock. With the kompac-coated samples on uncoated the coating appears to have been absorbed, even on the very heavy coverage toner areas, so the coating didn't form a continuous gloss film but rather a very broken finish. Kind of looks like a laser print that got hot ironed with a very dry hard broken gloss look rather than the wet gloss delivered over the offset printed samples. I have to send some samples laser printed on enamel coated stock to see how that looks. Hopefully it was just the stock that went so badly for me for the first samples.
     
    Jeff said:
    Guess I read that one wrong over the phone -- glad I didn't jump on a k2 machine, though maybe it would have been ok as our volume is so low it probably wouldn't have required parts for years to come.

    I got samples back form kompac that I had sent printed on our standard 32#/80# Mohawk uncoated and they called to let me know that it wouldn't work on the uncoated stock. With the kompac-coated samples on uncoated the coating appears to have been absorbed, even on the very heavy coverage toner areas, so the coating didn't form a continuous gloss film but rather a very broken finish. Kind of looks like a laser print that got hot ironed with a very dry hard broken gloss look rather than the wet gloss delivered over the offset printed samples. I have to send some samples laser printed on enamel coated stock to see how that looks. Hopefully it was just the stock that went so badly for me for the first samples.
    Click to expand...

    Kompac's machine bothers me because of it's size and cost. It's low 50's, when everyone else in same configuration is high 30s low 40s... Im sure they'll stand by it though. They are a staple in the industry in their other products. I don't *think* they'd be going anywhere.
     
    Look at the Duplo UV Machine ... debuted at the Chicago show. Very nice machine sells for mid 40's plus a feeder. Lots of benefits that help eliminate fire's in the units (which are the biggest danger, obviously). When Duplo steps in i think you can be assured that the unit is built well and has been refined and tested plenty before making it to north America.

    duplousa.com
     
    you are correct.... hp launched their own coater at Graph Expo... it is twice the price and delivery is very long too... check out TEC Lighting out of Brea California.
    www.teclighting.com
     
    4Over is using a press, the business cards I got from them are halftone. Since it is free I think 99% of the business cards they put out use it. It's gang printing, not short run.

    How much would it cost you to outsource the entire job to 4Over? Our costs, including labor, were lower if we outsourced it too them, even when the calculation is "comparing" 12 point KKC1S on digital vs their 14pt/16pt UV coat on offset... Even if they are a little more expensive we can easily charge more to cover the costs, profits increase dramatically.
     
    The big reason not to outsource for us is time - we can print 1,000 covers inhouse in an hour; if we outsourced we'd have to leave an extra couple days which isn't always possible. If it weren't for time, and the desire to be the producer, outsourcing would make a whole lot more sense than an expensive machine just to apply a clear coating.

    Why is this thread to UV coat specific? I would imagine an AQ coat would be cheaper.
    Click to expand...
    I didn't think AQ would go over toner...
     
    Jeff said:
    The big reason not to outsource for us is time - we can print 1,000 covers inhouse in an hour; if we outsourced we'd have to leave an extra couple days which isn't always possible...
    Click to expand...

    What is your competitors turn around time? We do all sorts of jobs, and match prices for stuff we outsource as well.

    If push comes to shove tell them that UV coat costs so much to print you must gang it by waiting for orders to build up. Or that you have a co-investment in a million dollar UV machine, or whatever, just give them the same options that your competitors are giving them.


    Jeff said:
    I didn't think AQ would go over toner...
    Click to expand...
    Totally out of my depth here, but I would guess that if ink can go onto glossy paper...
     
    Jeff, have you looked on the used market? Half the price and banks will do loans for that equipment.
     
    No, but I should. That's probably the only way a gloss coater makes sense for our small quantities yet desire to have control and schedule 100% on our terms.
     
    Try a GBC Laminator

    I would be more than happy to provide you with an ROI and product info on any of our products.

    Regards,

    Eric Bryant

    GBC Laminations Specialist

    Cell:216-509-5540
     
    K2 for sale

    We have a K2 digicoater for sale. Almost all our printing is offset, and although the coater works great, we have very little use for it. Let me know if anyone is interested. 831-420-1999.
     
    We have a small footprint UV Coater. Manual feeds up to 18"
    google us for a video: "veri-coat-uv 1800"
    $9999 fob Grand Rapids, MI
     
    Just bought a used 2008 Tec Lighting 14 inch coater with feeder for $16,500 plus rigging.

    There are deals to be had as long as you have the cash to spend. This was bought from another printer who was closing shop.
     
    • The Kompac Kwik Finish is an exciting offline coating and curing system, providing a quick and easy way to apply UV, Aqueous, Primer & Specialty Coatings to a wide variety of substrates. Thin substrates...No Problem! From onion skin to plastics; whether digital output or offset, each job will have the visual appeal, lasting durability, protection and rub resistant finish that your customers expect!
    • Flood & spot coat as well as spot not coat (allowing areas to be free of coating), encouraging enhanced finishing capability and assisting with variable data printing
    • Apply UV, aqueous, primer & specialty coatings with one system!
    • Easy to setup & operate
    • 5 minute coating change and clean up (with the patented Kompac Vac)
    • Auto level pump & sensor (Automatically replenishes coating when it is low)
    • Patented Kompac Air Delivery System provides 'non-contact' delivery of the coated sheet

    For more information write to info@kompactech.com or visit www.kompactech.com
     

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