One of the questions we hear is – “Does this Copier Use Fiery?” – For those who know how to manage Fiery profiles, this can be super useful. It is good to see the resources that are available using Fiery
Fiery isn’t for everyone, but for high end marketing pros, they sometimes find fiery to be a useful addition for getting the perfect color in the perfect places. If you are going to invest in a copier that uses Fiery, you should also invest in training to use Fiery.
After some technical questions, normally costs come up, compatibility with Macs, drawers, faxes and other specifications along with copier lease terms.
It would be good to go over some of the basic features one may find in a color copier.
550 Sheet Paper Feeder – A paper drawer that accepts a full real (plus a little) of paper.
2000 Sheet High Capacity Feeder – Get a feeder that allows you to accept 4 reams of paper (less loading of paper)
Finisher – Device that always has stapling, and may have hole punch and/or bookmaking capacity.
Fax Kit – Allows the copier to send and receive paper faxes.
CAC Card Reader – A CAC card reader allows a user to authenticate they have access to print or copy using a badge card (commonly same reader that is in the building.)
Duplex – Print on both sides of the page
DADF or SADF – DADF is Dual Auto Document Feeder – while the SADF is a Single Auto Document Feeder. This means when you walk up to the copier and scan, does it scan both sides of the paper in one pass (DADF) or does it have to go in out in out in out to get both sides (SADF). If scan speed matters to you, get the DADF.
Other Considerations when buying or leasing a color copier
Generally speaking, manufacturers design 1 engine for a family and then throttle down from the top engine. Sometimes this means using parts that are a bit cheaper (because print volumes are lower), but overall the engine quality is more or less the same.
For example, the Xerox AltaLink C8030, Xerox AltaLink C8035, Xerox AltaLink C8045, Xerox AltaLink C8055, and Xerox AltaLink C8070 are all based on the same engine. This engine was also used in the last generation of Xerox copiers – the WorkCentre 7830, WorkCentre 7835, WorkCentre 7845, and WorkCentre 7855. The faster ones also have the DADF rather than the SADF document feeders for the scanners.
What happens is the C8055, for example is built, and then the C8045, C8035 and C8030 are made to compete with other price points. Having scale when building engines in important on the manufacturing side and having options on the consumer side is also critical. So this was the solution the color copier manufacturers came up with to achieve both results.
If you don’t care about speed, get a color copier on the lower end of a family. You can tell what copiers are in a family because they will share a manufacturer brochure, like this one…
If you are doing a lot of printing, make sure your copier contract doesn’t have an escalation fee, if possible. An escalation fee is a fee which allows the copier company to charge you more in year 2 than they are in year 1 for the same services.
If you are looking for a color copier, we would love to help you!
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