Hp Indigo as good as offset? as bad as my cheap Dell 2660dn laser?

[superman]

I have had the chance to have a file printed from the HP Indigo 3050 and exactly the same file from the Dell 2660dn which is a $250 relatively old laser printer. I cannot tell any difference even under magnification. What could I be possibly be doing wrong?

The HP 3050 based on this test that I've done is definitely not as sharp as a litho machine.

I am looking for the best possible printer for graphics, something clearly better than my cheap and aging dell.

Any pointers?

 

[White rabbit]

To many possibilities here. How old are the bids, how old are the blanket and pip, what temp did you print at, which paper...

 

[indigo2015]

You cant evaluate a Printing machine by Printing one sheet.
There are many parameters to study if you want to compare 2 Printing m.
Quality, velocity, cost, Printing cost, easy to work with... and many others.
Hp3050 its a 2002 machine i mean.. 16 years old... and still working as first day...
Other expensive digital Printing machines dont need to throw them after 4-5 years

 

[FFR428]

There's a few screen settings among other things to enhance prints you can select. Color solid and screen settings can be changed. You have to dig a bit deeper sometimes that just running a proof file. I find my press will start out soft on color image saturation in some cases. I push more color as I see fit. Much like running conventional 4/c offset. We do a lot of fine image greeting cards. And these can be required for you to get a nice rich print. But easily dome with the click of a mouse. Did you have a chance to work with the pressman or give them your copier proof to match?