Recommend Color Laser Printer?

[Debberoo]

I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations on an affordable color laser printer with postscript language?

[mdnky]

Depends on your definition of affordable. Here's two good choices that should cover the average consumer/small business spectrum of "low cost":

Xerox Phaser 6120 ($299 & up)
http://www.office.xerox.com/perl-bin...6120&page=spec

Xerox Phaser 8500 ($899 & up)
http://www.office.xerox.com/color-pr...8550/enus.html

[wjlevin]

I'm looking for a colour laser printer to print letterhead with black text. That way, I can print what I need when I need it - instead of having letterhead printed at a professional printer.

I can appreciate that colour laser printers may not be the best choice for pictures but how are they for letterhead??

Thanks!

[Debberoo]

Agreed. "Affordable" is definitely up to interpretation. To clarify, I don't want to spend more than $800.

I had actually looked at the possibility of the Xerox printers you mentioned but have you personally used either of them? I'd really like to get some feedback on the actual user opinion and real world experience before I make a purchase.

[powermac]

We have a Brother color laser @ work. I must say, it is a work horse. I have a a Brother, mono-color here at home, and can't say anything negative about the printer, other than Brother is weak with its drivers for OSX. The printer has duplex printing capabilities. Under OS9 I was able to use that feature. Since OSX, I have not.

[mdnky]

Originally Posted by wjlevin

I can appreciate that colour laser printers may not be the best choice for pictures but how are they for letterhead??

That would depend a lot on the design you choose for the letterhead. Stuff like: Is it going to be really complex with some hard to reproduce colors, will it have drop shadows, full or almost full bleeds, etc.

If you're planning on something photographic in nature, then that's not going to work to well. If on the other hand you're planning something more traditional, using solid colors and simple graphics...then it should work pretty well.

You also need to take into consideration what type of paper you'll be printing on, not to mention the costs in toner. More times than not its a lot cheaper to buy preprinted letterhead than it is to print it yourself (by the time you buy similar quality paper, toner/ink, etc.).


You can grab custom 4-color work (printed on Heidelberg presses) for small change now a days. Printingforless.com does letterhead as follows: 250 start at $277.38 shipped, 500 is $297 shipped, 1000 is $336.25 shipped. Check around though, as you may be able to find better deals.

[mdnky]

Originally Posted by Debberoo

I had actually looked at the possibility of the Xerox printers you mentioned but have you personally used either of them? I'd really like to get some feedback on the actual user opinion and real world experience before I make a purchase.

I've used the Phaser 6120 at a client's office off and on for around two months now. While not the greatest printer I've ever used, it has definitely impressed me given the price range it came from ($499 regular — the $299 is because of a $200 rebate). The prints are good to very good in terms of quality, the color matching is excellent. Driver support has always been really good, even back in Tektronix branded days.

I haven't personally used the current Phaser 8500, but I have used it's predecessors and I know people who are currently using it. The prints I've come across have always been of good quality...so far. I haven't heard any complaints, other than possibly the cost of the unit (normal complaining...why isn't it $100 type thing) and the cost of supplies (which to me seem rather reasonable when compared to others).


What exactly are you trying to do with it Debberoo?

[Debberoo]

Interesting you mentioned the 6120. I'm actually looking at the possibility of that or the Konica Minolta 2450. Having found the 6120 online for just under $200 it's very attractive at that price. However, quality is a definite concern as I plan to use it for proofing. I'm a graphic designer and need something decent to show clients. My biggest problem I've had in the past with inkjets is that the color is usually off no matter what I do to try and calibrate it. I used to use an HP1120 while still on system 9 but haven't had any luck whatsoever with any OSX drivers and even if I had, the color was still off and I've just not been all that pleased with it anymore. Advice? Opinions?