The market of production inkjet devices is in constant flux. As the technology progresses inkjet is addressing new applications and devices introduced before are being replaced by newer models. This can make selecting the right inkjet press a bewildering adventure. This guide aims at providing an overview of the main inkjet presses available for commercial and document-oriented applications. This first in a four part series of articles will focus on entry and low volume devices, the most affordable presses in the market. (Not looking for an entry level press? Check out the Big Rigs)
Entry and low volume devices
Investments into production inkjet do not need to be daunting. There is a range of inkjet devices priced below the US $1 million mark (in the base configuration), and some cost noticeably less. Adding finishing, automation or front-end options can drive the up noticeably, however.
Compared to the last buyers guide in 2019 there have been a number of launches and the market shows a lively activity. Devices are available as well in cut-sheet and roll-fed configurations. A3-based (2-up) cut-sheet presses offer the lowest entry point, with the Kyocera and RISO models aiming at the lowest volume band and business document types. The Canon and Xerox products offer better quality and productivity but at higher prices. 1-up roll-fed printers are the lowest priced continuous feed options. While the bulk of the 2-up roll-fed printers available are in other inkjet segments (to be covered in upcoming articles), some vendors offer models with lower specifications as well, to supply entry solutions for cost-conscious users.
The lower price point for the devices listed here come at a (non-monetary) cost, however. The most noticeable limitations can be the types of paper supported (especially standard coated), imaging format, the imaging resolution and/or the productivity. An entry level device can be the first stepping stone for getting inkjet printing or to serve users with limited volumes in general. Some devices are upgradeable or faster versions exist, to give additional choice. The table below focuses on the lowest priced options.
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Device |
Base specifications |
Overview |
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Cut-sheet A3/B3 |
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Kyocera TASKalfa Pro 15000c |
Launched in 2021 150 ipm (A4) Up to 600 x 1,200 dpi Recommended for up to 1 Mio A4 / month |
Kyocera has been a long-standing supplier to the inkjet market offering inkjet heads – until the launch of the TASKalfa Pro 15000c. With a form factor akin to a high-volume toner MFP the device is a flexible, affordable solution for color printing for companies upgrading from monochrome print or looking for a more cost effective color solution. The printer uses aqueous inks and prints mainly on uncoated paper. Additional paper trays and in-line finishing modules are available. The 15000C is available from several other vendors as OEM-versions. The front-end, finishing, pricing and service charges & contracts can differ. So does the global availability:
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RISO Valezus T2100 |
Unveiled in 2019, 2021 launched globally 320 ipm (A4) – speed only achieved in duplex print Up to 600 x 300 dpi Recommended for up to 2 Mio A4 / month |
The Valezus T2100, announced in August 2019, is a sheetfed production inkjet device targeting transaction, governmental and statutory documents, low coverage direct mail or newsletters, rather than graphic arts prints. It uses 5 colors of oil-based pigment ink in CMYK plus a gray. CMY and G print at 300 x 300 dpi in standard mode, or 600 x300dpi in fine mode, while black is always 600 x 600 dpi. Launched this year the single-engine Valezus T1200 is now available as well. It can print 165 ipm in simplex and duplex mode. |
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Canon VarioPrint iX 2100 |
Launched in 2020 210 ipm (A4) 1,200 x 1,200 dpi Recommended for up to 7 Mio A4 / month |
The iX-Series follows the i300, which was launched in 2015 and improves notably on quality and media range The printers use aqueous inks and have a 1,200 dpi resolution. By using a primer also standard coated papers up to 350 gsm are supported. This adds commercial print applications to transaction printing, forms, books or direct mail – which were already covered by the i300. Additional paper trays and in-line finishing modules are available. A faster version exists as well with the VarioPrint iX3200, with 320 ipm and a recommended volume of 10 million impressions/month. |
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Xerox Baltoro HF |
Launched in 2019 300 ipm A4 1,200 x 1,200 dpi Recommended for up to 3 Mio A4 / month |
The Baltoro HF, launched in June 2019, replaced its predecessor, the Brenva. It represents a new, internally sourced inkjet platform from Xerox. Leveraging aqueous pigment inks and Xerox W-series print heads the device aims for high quality on a variety of stocks. The Color Accelerator launched in 2020 improved on print quality, media versatility and ink usage. The Baltoro will print on uncoated stocks and inkjet optimized stocks up to 270 gsm. Baltoro is targeting transaction printing, direct marketing and commercial market segments. |
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Roll-fed 1-up |
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BlueCrest AcceleJet |
Launched in 2015 Up to 100 m/min, 673 ipm (A4) 600 x 600 dpi Recommended for up to 10 Mio A4 / month |
Originally launched by Pitney Bowes, the inkjet division has been spun off as Bluecrest in 2018. The AcceleJet is a compact roll-to-sheet production inkjet device targeted at production printing of direct marketing self mailers and traditional transaction print. It uses aqueous pigment ink with 5 gray levels and 600 x 600 dpi |
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Superweb WEBJet 100D |
Launched in 2018 Up to 450 fpm, 1000 ipm Resolution up to 1,600 x 1,375 dpi Duty cycle: 15 mio images/month |
The WEBJet100D is a 1-up press from Superweb using Memjet’s Versapass dye-based inkjet technology – like the WEBJet 200D launched earlier. With a print width up to 8.64” (220mm) the device is targeted at transaction print, mailing and newsletter. Mainly uncoated paper is supported. With an integrated sheeter the press can produce roll-to-sheet. |
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Roll-fed 2-up |
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Canon ColorStream 6200 |
Launched in 2016 48 m/min, 648 ipm Up to 600 x 600 dpi Recommended for up to 10 Mio A4 / month |
The ColorStream 6200 is the entry solution from Canon for web-fed devices. To achieve a low-priced solution Canon reduced the number of inkjet heads in the 6200 model compared to the other models in this series for a lower web speed and a slightly narrower imaging width of 432 mm (17”). Since the launch of the series in 2016 several upgrades improved the performance and paper range of the ColorStream Series. The 6200 can be upgraded on site to the faster and 540mm wide models if desired. |
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Ricoh Pro VC20000 |
Launched 2019 75 m/min 600 dpi x 600 dpi Recommended for up to 10 Mio A4 / month |
The VC 20000 is the entry color solution from Ricoh, based on a print engine from Domino. With an engine footprint of less than 5.5 square meters, the VC20000 is very compact and easy to operate. Typical applications are publishing, transactional and direct mail, pharma leaflets, as the printer is targeted at uncoated papers and lower coverage. There are two monochrome models available as well as Pro V20000 |
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Screen Truepress Jet520NX EN |
Launched 2019 75 m/min, 246 fpm Up to 600 x 600 dpi |
Screen announced the Truepress Jet520NX at drupa 2016. As an entry solution the Truepress Jet520NX EN was added later. To reduce costs, the EN has been designed to share the same printhead module, control technologies, transfer system and exterior as its Truepress Jet520NX system. These features, with a reduced number of inkjet heads, enable the EN to cut acquisition costs while still delivering a throughput of up to 75 meters (246') per minute – half the speed of the NX. The EN has a maximum resolution of 600 x 600 (versus 600 x 1200 for NX) with 4 gray levels and a MICR option. A monochrome version of the EN is also available. |
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Superweb WEBJet 200D |
Launched in 2013 Up to 520 fpm, nearly 2,000 ipm Up to 1,600 x 1,375 dpi Duty cycle: 40 mio images/month |
Built by Superweb, a company steeped in analog narrow web press manufacturing, the WEBJet 200D makes it easy to change to inkjet for traditional press operators. The press uses Memjet’s Versapass inkjet heads, giving the press a compact design. Several in-line finishing modules are available. With dye-based inks and support of uncoated papers the WEBJet 200D is targeted at transaction print, mailing and newsletters. |
Recommended volumes for entry production inkjet printers might look low, but are still much higher than most color EP devices. It should be kept in mind that the highest speed, especially for roll-fed printers, results in a reduced imaging quality. Coverage and paperweights can mandate a reduced speed as well.
This buyers guide is intended to give a rough overview on the devices available. A lot more details on the products can be found in the Inkjet Insight Device Finder https://apps.inkjetinsight.com/device-finder/.
Check out the next post in our series where Pat McGrew covers the opposite end of the inkjet spectrum, the super-high productivity "Big Rigs."
