Digital VS Offset Printing for start ups

[parveen.akhtar]

HI
I saw many experts disusing here so thought to get advice before setting up a start up press.

Till now we are outsourcing our printing but due to quality, timing and cost has made me think to setup our own small unit.

Have seen many digital and offset printing machines available for sale. Not sure which one is the best out of both.

our main categories will be stickers, cards products up to 450gsm and paper products.


Can anyone suggest the best start up advice with positive and negative points if possible.

It would be great if a best link to the preferred machines is provided too on Youtube.
Thanks in advance

 

[plotter]

if your doing long runs of single to two colour then id get an ab dick with a varn, easiest press ive ever used to set up and run, for short run full colour work id get a used dry toner (laser) copier, as your only just starting, but you wont get 450gsm through one. Ive heard that xante do one that will, but id look very carefully at on first as ive heard bad things about them. If you do get a copier / printer dont make the mistake of buying from ebay, get one with a contract so you pay per copy, trust me without it the machine is just a big lump in the corner when it breaks down (ab dicks hardly ever break) the odd clutch spring, but there again mines been running for 6 years and i havent broken 1 yet. for glossy stickers you could even get a roland or equivelent print and cut wide format, but it wont print paper letterheads ect, mainly signs and vinyl stickers. (again not from ebay as youll end up with another lump in the corner) ;-) . It doesnt stop there as you will also need a guillotine, possibly a collator , stitcher, folder, ect ect ect
good luck