First Paige took delivery of the machine, which cost around £30,000, into its Worcester premises in May.
First Paige director Jon Orton said the investment satisfies First Paige’s policy of renewing digital machines on a five-year cycle. He highlighted the machine’s long paper size and banner printing feature as plus points, along with its ability to print duplex on 350gsm. An existing Xerox 700 has been retained as backup to the machine that was supplied by Xerox reseller Zerographic Systems.
“Manufacturers talk about digital being the same as litho, in our mind that has not really been true up to the last couple of years and now we’re seeing with this particular machine, the commerciality and saleability of the print is virtually the same as far as our customers are concerned,” said Orton.
“We’ve been with Zerographic for over five years and they did us a great deal. We enjoyed great service with Xerox and the new machines have many new options, which we just couldn’t ignore."
Launched in 2015 as a “strategic replacement” for the C75 and J75 models, the Versant runs at 80ppm and can maintain speeds on all stocks up to 350gsm, delivering image quality of 2,400dpi. It can handle a variety of media types with a compact Belt Fuser system and Xerox’s low-melt (EA) toner.
The machine has enabled seven-staff First Paige to bring six-page A4 and A4 landscape work in-house, and in general has allowed it to take on jobs of longer runs as the business increases its order book.
First Paige produces a wide variety of commercial print, including leaflets, brochures, along with offering design services. The 38-year-old outfit has a second premises in Malvern, Worcestershire and in this year is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its Worcester premises. It also runs a Ricoh MP C3004 and a large-format Epson machine.
“We’ve found a position in the marketplace where we sit well with many of our small business customers, and it works,” added Orton.
