Realistic comparison between a heavy duty copier vs multiple light duty copier

[Bulakdot]

So guys, second post here since my newbie introduction. One of the reasons why I joined this forum is to ask you experts in this trade of your opinion regarding the situation below.

Location: my shop
Number of prints per month: 15-20k (will increase monthly up to 50k based on market forecast)
type of prints: photocopy and prints of school materials / B&W and color / mostly on copy paper or plain paper or bond paper (whatever you call it) / no finisher necessary

My first option is to get a single MFP color copier/printer from leading brands with 30-50 cpm. Now I have been wondering about epson products. What came to mind is to get 3 or 4 epson inkjet MFP with 10-15 cpm. Do you think this is a good strategy?

[allan]

So you want to feed 4 little screaming chicks that s*its every where...

No paper capacity no ink capacity no output capacity probably no proper double sided function...
Not to mention the noise that it is going to make.

Use the right tool for the job.

50K? get at least one 45-75 PPM b/w.
And a 25-35 ppm color for a backup.

[allan]

Needs to be on contract.
Otherwise new, used or cost per copy.

Duplicator could be an option depending on the kind of jobs

[Bulakdot]

Yeah they do scream like kids.. singing inkjets they are.

Sorry but that 50k is only a forecast in the coming months. At this moment we are hovering around 20k only. Very short runs and varies a lot (1 to 2 pages color, 3 copies) to 1000 copies B/W double sided.

The reason I'm asking is that I have seen the new epson MFPs have proper double sided function, print/copy counter, basic ink capacity that last 2-3k pages. In addition, the purchase cost entry is significantly lower, and having multiple units served as backup in case of failure.

In my calculation for example, we could purchase 7-9 epsons for the price of a single 30cpm color MFP copier. One of the downside is the paper capacity for epson though.






Nah, a duplicator is not ideal in our setup.

[allan]

You have to look at the total cost there including the time you are going to be putting in.
Even if you add all 7 of those inkies together the real deal will outlast the lot of them.

Look for low mileage used machines. Could be someone here in your area.

Wrong place to ask about ink-jets...

[Bulakdot]

Wrong place to ask about ink-jets...

Why is this so?


Anyways to continue the discussion, for comparison sakes see below.

Four machines 40ppm kyocera MFP A3 color = 1 epson 20590 A3 100ppm color
Six 25ppm kyocera MFP A3 color = 1 epson
Five 20ppm konica MFP A3 color = 1 epson
Five 36ppm konica MFP A3 B/W = 1 epson

From my research on epson 20590, there are still things to be iron out in them and not so many users yet. I don't want to be a test bed either. But the epson I am talking about are the desktop workforce series around 300-400 USD. As long as they bring in profit 3-4 times the purchase price+operating cost in less than a week I think I could throw them away. Business wise it is a win right?


Side question but related one. I am eyeing refurbished canon IR advance 5000/6000 series. How old are they now since introduced to market? 15-20 years?

Thanks

[tsbservice]

Nobody runs shop with inkjets.
If you can find buy second hand low metered 2 KM bizhub C224e/C284e/C364e series. They will be ideal for your volume now and in the future up to 50k monthly also.
Perfect machines, low cost per copy, good quality, very reliable and easy to maintain.

[allan]

Why is this so?


Anyways to continue the discussion, for comparison sakes see below.

Four machines 40ppm kyocera MFP A3 color = 1 epson 20590 A3 100ppm color
Six 25ppm kyocera MFP A3 color = 1 epson
Five 20ppm konica MFP A3 color = 1 epson
Five 36ppm konica MFP A3 B/W = 1 epson

From my research on epson 20590, there are still things to be iron out in them and not so many users yet. I don't want to be a test bed either. But the epson I am talking about are the desktop workforce series around 300-400 USD. As long as they bring in profit 3-4 times the purchase price+operating cost in less than a week I think I could throw them away. Business wise it is a win right?


Side question but related one. I am eyeing refurbished canon IR advance 5000/6000 series. How old are they now since introduced to market? 15-20 years?

Thanks

Toner dusts off ink not so much...
We here are mostly copier guys so the response would probably be biased.
Its not ideal using those inkies but after growing a bit we know what you will need.
In the long term making the right choices now will save you the money and the hassle.

Also not environmentally friendly to treat these products as disposable.

[SalesServiceGuy]

In the fine print, many inkjet printers recommend using higher cost premium or special paper.

For many inkjets if you mark the printed page with highlighter pen, the ink dissolves.

Most inkjets do not have any staple finishing/ folding capability.

[copyman]

Many inkjet vs laser powder toner comparisons have been done and laser always wins in the long run. Most show a bigger laser unit will actually pay for itself in a few years with what you will save buying ink for injets. Industry norm is LASER: 1 penny for B&W and 6 cent for COLOR.
INKJET: Up to to 30 cent for any color !!!

Only thing I can see with having 4 inkjet (throw away's) is 4 x's the ink expense and 4 x's the aggravation !!!