Demand for monochrome digital presses is still going strong, thanks largely to the sheer number of different applications suited to the technology. One example is the printing of books, where digital has bolstered printers' print-on-demand capabilities, with publishers keen to exploit the technology for products including journals and manuals. Add to that the brochures and transactional statement markets and it's no surprise that the digital mono market is holding up relatively well.
Quality is now a given, but the cost of ownership, return on investment and flexibility remain issues. However, judging by the number of machines being sold, monochrome digital still offers good long-term potential revenue streams compared to other digital technology.
Informed decision
To make an informed decision on whether investment in a high-value press stacks up financially, it's worth focusing not just on the cost per print, but also on the amount of time the press is productive and what additional revenue streams can be brought in.
It may be some time before it's financially viable to print mono and full colour from one machine without having to compromise on speed, but the introduction of improved printheads could result in additional colour added to black-and-white digital presses.
While the DM market is keen on colour, cost limitations mean it's not always commercially viable to print certain applications in full digital colour - good news for the manufacturers of mono machines.
It is worth taking time to research the features and finishing options that are available on a mono digital press. It's vital to work out if such an investment will fit into your business and if the press will be flexible enough to do the kind of applications demanded by customers. Also, as always, you need to ensure that it's a cost effective option and will, in the long-term, boost your profitability.
WHAT'S NEW IN HIGH-VOLUME MONO DIGITAL PRESSES
• In September, Xerox introduced two new perfecting models to its monochrome Nuvera range, the 200 MX and the 288 MX, designed for the printing of Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) products. Xerox also announced Danwood as a nationwide reseller in July
• Also in July, Konica Minolta launched the bizhub Pro 1200 mono production print system. The mono printer takes stocks of between 40-350gsm and prints SRA3 bleed
• In June, Ashford Colour Press invested in a Xerox 1300 Continuous Feed press combined with a Hunkeler feeding and finishing system
• Infoprint unveiled a raft of enhancements to its portfolio of monochrome printers in February. The additions included improved paper support and additional toner options. The upgrades apply to the Infoprint 4100, 100 and Infoprint 75
• Last month, administrators for the parent company of Nipson UK, NDPS, said they were seeking a sale of the business as soon as possible. Nipson UK remains unaffected by the move
