Describe your business
We are a digital printer specialising in producing high-quality, short-run on-demand books and journals.
What does the machine do?
We use the machine to produce most of the mono pages of the books we print.
Why did you choose this particular machine?
We wanted to boost capacity and increase our product range. This machine can go down to 50gsm stock and is a highly productive press. We decided on cut sheet because of the versatility and flexibility required by our market.
Did you look at any other similar machines?
We drew up a list of criteria a machine would need to meet and contenders included, among others, the 6000 Series Ultra, the Canon ImagePress 1130, the Xerox Nuvera and the Kodak Digimaster. However, we felt the Océ was more solidly built, the front-end was slightly more user-friendly and overall the Océ was demonstrably more productive.
What features do you particularly like?
What sets the 6000 apart is that it can print on both sides of the sheet at the same time. The registration is always spot on, which is vital in book printing.
Is there anything that you wish it had that it doesn’t?
To be honest no. It pretty much does everything.
How fast is it?
It can run from 174-314 A4 pages per minute.
How reliable is it?
It’s very reliable. We haven’t had an engineer visit since November. The machine doesn’t stop. In fact, prior to running out of toner, it lets you know to refill.
What’s the quality like?
It’s excellent and the halftones are of very good quality.
How easy is it to use?
It is a relatively simple machine to operate.
How much time or money has it saved?
It’s saved at least an hour on a typical eight-hour shift – it is that quantifiable. Financially, the click rates are very similar to other machines, but it is very energy efficient. By our reckoning, there has been a 20% saving in electricity costs, which helps us reduce our carbon footprint.
Has it won you any new work?
It has won us a couple of new clients. One previously had work litho printed, but was impressed with the digital quality. We have also won a new client because we could print on 50gsm.
Were there any difficulties experienced during the installation or after?
The installation went well.
What about the pre- and after-sale service?
Océ has worked very hard to ensure that we had got everything we wanted, both before, during and after the installation. Our account manager regularly pops in to ensure everything is going smoothly and the Océ marketing team has even been helping us develop new opportunities.
Who do you think the machine is right for?
Any printer that has plenty of mono duplex work.
Under what circumstances would you buy another?
If the UK market was more stable then we already would have had another one on the way. However, we shall see what the first half of this year brings.
Conclusion
User’s verdict
Speed 4/5
Quality 4/5
Reliability 5/5
Value for money 4/5
Supplier’s response
Steve Wilson, business unit director at Océ UK, says: We are delighted to have such a positive endorsement of our technology by 4edge. In a highly competitive market, the VP6000 Ultra continues to win new clients for Océ and our customers. In just a few years, the VP6000 Ultra has secured its position as the most productive machine in very high-volume mono production and is the preferred choice of digital book printers all around the world. From an operator’s perspective, it is ideal as it doesn’t emit ozone, heat and is quiet. The speed in the range can be upgraded.
Price £100,000-£150,000 depending on output speed
Contact Océ UK
0870 6005544
