Multifunction Copiers: The Multi-tasking Digital Equivalent of You

A multifunction copier is just like every other piece of digital equipment you own for your home or office. It's your TV/VCR, your clock radio, and your pen that doubles as a dictaphone.

A true multifunction copier offers you the ability to print, fax, and copy. A number of smaller Xerox phaser copiers come ready to operate out of the box with all three capabilities. As digital copiers get larger, the multifunction components come in the form of add-on peripherals. It can be in the form of a stacker or finishing option that allows you to.

In the Canon imageRUNNER 2800 for example, the print and fax options are enabled via a Canon print board and Super G3 Fax Board. These boards allow the copier to be used as a networked printer or fax machine.

Always look at what options come standard for a color digital copier and make sure that quality is not sacrificied in a given area because of a machine's multifunctionality.

If you're considering a digital copier, please consider talking to JJ Bender.

Buyers Guides for Xerox Copiers

There is no perfect buyer's guide for Xerox copiers. There's no document that offers complete comparisons between equipment and you should always look at information that a copier manufacturer or vendor sends you several times to make sure you understand the exact capabilities of a given copier.

The best preparation for purchasing a copier is to know the questions (and sometimes answers) before you meet with a copier vendor. You should always know the number of copies you expect to make, color and black-and-white, the level of service you will require, and your budget.
If you really are looking for some written help, The Better Buys for Business, has a decent primer that discusses the costs of copier consumables, equipment, and service. It also compares analog copiers versus digital duplicators.

If you're looking for advice on purchasing a color copier, please consider talking to JJ Bender.

Purchasing a Copier at Auction

If you're considering purchasing a copier at auction, whether it's a DocuColor 12 or Xerox iGen3, you still need to do your homework to make sure you end up with the right machine at the right price.

Be Informed

Get as much information about the machine. Find out the meter count, or number of copies made on a copier (also known as a click count). Find out if it has any peripherals. Ask when it went off service or if it still is under a service contract.

Location, Location, Location

If you're nearby and there is a prescribed time, look at the machine before purchase. If it's a large purchase you can also set up a proxy or send over a local technician to inspect the copier. If you're too far away, find out the details of where the machine is being stored and what you'll need to do to ship the copier to your location.

Shipping

Find out what the shipping will cost prior to bidding. Many auction houses require you to use an approved method of shipping or move the copier within a prescribed amount of time (usually immediately or seven days from the close of the auction). A Xerox 2060 isn't light by any means and also has to be packed carefully and by someone who knows what they're doing in order for it to survive a cross-country trip.

Payment Terms

The payment terms should be clearly spelled out in every auction. Some auction houses require a refundable deposit to quality bidders while most require payment in full upon completion of the auction. So, make sure you have adequate funds to purchase a copier at auction.
If you're looking for a digital copier or considering a copier auction, please consider talking to JJ Bender.

Copier Finishing Options: Which One is Right for You?

It's not how you start, it's how you finish. True in life and printing. If you're looking for finishing equipment, you need to know the terminology and what might be right for the products you are creating.

The following is excerpted from the Xerox site; and is meant as a guide to point you towards the proper Horizon collator or Challenge Cutter. It's a straightforward set of definitions, as simple as you're going to find for the difference in finishing options.

Flats:
A single printed sheet, which may be folded, laminated, UV coated, or foil imprinted. The sheet may also be trimmed.

Stitched Sets:
Collated documents bound by stitching or stapling, which penetrates the media from one side of the first sheet to the other side of the last sheet.

Booklets:
One or more printed sheets, which are creased, folded, and stitched from the inside to the outside on the fold. The images are imposed on the printed sheets so that pages are in the correct order for reading.

Perfect Bound:
Individual book pages are printed on signatures, which are then stacked together in a book block and glue-bound to a flexible cover. The edges of the book block are covered and trimmed flush.

Lay Flats (Coil Bound):Individual sheets are punched with holes and stacked together then mechanically bound offline. Separate front and back covers of heavier stock may be used. Binding methods include wire and plastic coil, plastic comb, and 3, 5, and 7 ring binders.

Tape Bound:
Individual sheets are grouped together and commonly bound to a front and back cover. Adhesive tape is wrapped around the book block, overlapping the front and back covers along the spine edge.

Case Bound:
Individual book pages are printed on signatures, which are then stacked together in a book block and glue-bound to a rigid cover. The edges of the book block are covered and trimmed flush.
If you're considering finishing peripherals or digital production equipment, please consider JJ Bender.