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Top Ten Questions to Ask When Buying a Digital Printer
In the “Hingst’s Sign Post” column published in the September 2006 issue of Sign Builder Illustrated (“Wide Format Digital Output Options, Part One: Reasons to Buy”), author Jim Hingst presented the key factors one needs to consider before purchasing a digital printer for one’s shop.
Unfortunately, the following sidebar had to be cut due to space limitations; however, we are pleased to present it in its entirety here at www.signshop.com.
Jim’s checklist covers the top ten things to consider when buying any digital printer:
1. Do you realize that anything mechanical can break down? What reputation does the manufacturer have for building reliable equipment? In the event of a problem, what service and technical support does the manufacturer provide?
2. Is a service agreement available? What type of maintenance must you regularly perform, such as cleaning of the printheads or replacing the UV lamps? What are the estimated annual costs for parts replacement and maintenance? How long will the printheads generally last before they must be replaced?
3. How easy is it to operate the equipment? What training is required? What type of training does your distributor provide with the system? How long will it take your people to become proficient with the system?
4. What substrates can the system print on? What sizes of material will the printer handle? Will the system handle rigid substrates, such as expanded PVC and foam boards and roll-to-roll substrates (such as pressure-sensitive vinyl and banner material)?
5. How fast is the printer? Caveat emptor! When shopping for new equipment of any kind, the best advice is to be skeptical of manufacturers’ claims. For example, published print speeds are usually for low-resolution images.
6. How many colors will the printer print? The advantage of a printer with more than four colors is that you expand the range of colors that you can print. In addition, because the transition from highlights to mid-tones to shadows is smoother, the resolution appears higher—in other words, higher apparent resolution.
7. How much floor space does the system require? What type of temperature and humidity control and ventilation equipment will be required for the printer? Will you need to build a special room for the printer?
8. How much do the consumables—such as special top-coated media, ink, and printheads—cost? What is the cost per square foot of the finished graphic?
9. What is the total cost of the system? In calculating your fixed monthly expense, there’s more to consider than just the payment for the printer. The other costs of your system could include the workstation, software, peripherals, scanner, digital camera, laminator, ventilation hood, maintenance agreement, and training.
10. What type of financing or leasing is available? Can you generate the business to support your investment in the printer? What are your target accounts?
—Jim Hingst
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