help to decide DocuColor 8080 vs hp indigo 3550

[josemigueljc]

hello good day, I am interested in buying digital offset, and I want to know what the best option between the DocuColor 8080 and the HP Indigo 3550

help me please

 

[xfactor printing]

hello good day, I am interested in buying digital offset, and I want to know what the best option between the DocuColor 8080 and the HP Indigo 3550

help me please

I think it's a misnomer to call either one of these "offset". One is laser with toner and the other is electroink. (Both can produce good images; I simply don't like calling something "offset" if it's not "offset".)

 

[josemigueljc]

I think it's a misnomer to call either one of these "offset". One is laser and the other is electroink. (Both can produce good images; I simply don't like calling something "offset" if it's not "offset".)

What I would like to know is which of the two is better at the end.

I want to know opinions

 

[OkiTech]

Hi, please provide some details about what kind of work you are planning on doing with it. Both of these machines are, most likely, great printers taking their own segment in the print market. There are people/companies that extremely happy with each one of them or concept at least and some that are not happy. you really need to share some specific about your place in the industry to get good advice. If you buy new machine, both HP and Xerox will more or less stand behind it (strictly depend on quality of service from both manufacturers where ever you are regardless of how good/bad equipment is) What, most likely, you need to know how mentioned machine/model will suit your kind of work.... I guess

 

[Dodger]

Hello Jose,

To contradict xfactor; the Indigo DOES use an OFFSET method to create an image on a substrate.

UnlimitedBT is on the right track and the concensus of opinion is that the Indigo will give a better quality image on a wider range of substrates than the Xerox... BUT at a slightly higher cost per unit.

You will also need a more highly skilled operator to run the Indigo. Those with offset/pre-press experience are ideal! Your office receptionist could run the Xerox with a little training.

That said, if you are after a point of difference to offer your customers and sell on value rather than just price, the Indigo is for you! The Indigo is also the only sheet fed digital offering that will be able to match the quality of output from your Ryobi offset presses.

I hope this helps... Cheers!

Dodger

 

[xfactor printing]

Agree with what the others say (who have far more experience than I with the indigo.) I've had a few items run on an indigo with great results. For example I've had heavy coverage color envelopes run on indigo a few times with variable data and zero crushing/physical damage as you'd get form a toner-based print. But have never had one myself. If I had the work to justify it, I'd love the ability to have a 5th color custom spot color too. The docucolor on the other hand will probably give you a lower cost per print for color for general printing (flyers, newsletters, rack cards, posters, reports, short run publications, etc.)

I would be interested to have you explain to me why an indigo is truly "offset" Dodger.
If it doesn't use plates and offset ink, I say it's not true offset Electroink is to me a hybrid.

 

[Dodger]

Hi xfactor,

The Indigo is best described as an offset press with a digital front end.

Traditional offset uses oil, water and alcohol to produce an image while the indigo uses electrically opposed ink to plate.

Both methods use ink > imaging plate > blanket > substrate

I guess a picture paints a thousand words so check out the handy links below...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2z29tW6McE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-m6ew2BX2w

Cheers,

Dodger.

 

[Jimmyha]

Hi Dodger,

So the HP Indigo not use lazer heat while the Xerox use lazer heat right? I mean the printing engine of Xerox and Indigo.

Thanks

 

[Joe Duffy]

But no one has mentioned he must only run Indigo approved medias on the HP, or buy a very expensive coater unit.
The 3050 is not a offset press, no more than a Nexpress is a offset press - both are digital presses. The indigo is a better machine IF you can plan your work to keep it running, it has alot of maintainance issues if you are running for 4 hours, then tomorrow for 2 hours, then 2 days not running... it needs to run and run alot, then it prints great.
The Xerox is a toner machine and has the issues associated with toner, mainly heat. It can run non Xerox media, but the first thing service will say is it is the paper.
Both require climate controlled enviroments. And I disagree, niether machine is so simple anyone can run it, both take skilled operators to produce and plan the output. IMO