Production Printers: Finding the Right Fit for Your Needs
If your organisation is considering a production printer for high-volume, professional-quality printing our specialists are here to help. Whether your needs involve colour or black-and-white printing, entry-level machines, or top-of-the-line models with advanced digital front ends like EFI Fiery controllers, there is a production printing solution for every print room or Corporate Reprographics Department (CRD).
Partnered with our robust service and preventative maintenance programs, Apprico ensures a seamless experience for all your production print requirements.
Choosing the Right Production Printer
Assessing Your Needs
Before comparing production printers, it’s important to evaluate your specific printing tasks and in-house production skills. If you’re upgrading from large office printers or Multi-Functional Printers (MFPs) to expand your capabilities, consider features like variable data printing or advanced colour management workflows.
EFI Fiery Digital Front Ends (DFEs)
For organisations looking to achieve industry-leading workflows with exceptional colour fidelity, a production printer equipped with an EFI Fiery controller is an excellent choice. EFI Fiery DFEs integrate seamlessly with many production printers, offering:
Advanced Colour Management
Maintain precise colour consistency across jobs.
Streamlined Workflow
Simplify complex print tasks with intuitive controls.
Dual Functionality
Many models feature a Fiery Gateway, toggling between Fiery and the manufacturer’s native controller for ease of use and flexibility.
EFI Fiery’s Command WorkStation provides professional operators with comprehensive control, enabling instant adjustments to media and print settings directly from the control panel. This user-friendly design minimises complexity and maximises efficiency.
Benefits of Production Print
For businesses where print quality is paramount, advanced specifications such as resolution and bit depth are key factors. These technical capabilities define a printer’s ability to produce vibrant, lifelike images and smooth gradients.
Resolution
Resolution, often measured in dots per inch (DPI), is a critical metric for print quality. However, higher DPI alone doesn’t guarantee better prints—it must be paired with accurate dot placement and precise media handling. For instance, a 600-dpi system with excellent dot placement can outperform a 1200-dpi system with less precise mechanics.
Bit Depth
Bit depth refers to the number of colour shades a printer can produce for each dot. Higher bit depth results in richer, more vibrant images. For example, a 4-bit system generates 16 shades per dot, while a 1-bit system offers only two (on or off). This makes high bit-depth systems ideal for professional-quality printing.
Key Considerations for Production Print
Balance of DPI and Bit Depth
Optimal print quality is achieved when high DPI is complemented by superior bit depth.
Advanced Features
Look for technologies that eliminate down-sampling, ensuring the full color palette is retained during printing.
Consistent Results
Industry-leading printers maintain uniformity across print runs, vital for branding and professional applications
Ready to Choose the Right Production Printer?
Apprico offers a range of production printers tailored to meet your needs. From media flexibility to cutting-edge digital front ends like EFI Fiery, we help you deliver outstanding print quality while optimising workflows and reducing costs.
Contact our specialists today to discuss your requirements and explore the production printers best suited for your business.
