Hello,
Is anyone out there using either of the following to printers:

Xerox Phaser 8400 (Solid Ink) or the Phaser 7300 (LED Laser)?

I am in the market for a new color printer and I have been looking at these two units and I am looking for feedback from current users.

One thing that I have not been able to get an answer to is using either of these printers to overprint messages on top of a 4 color postcard shell. I have been told there is a risk of the preprinted ink on the shell to break down and ruin the laser drum. Is anyone using a laser to overprint a message on their preprinted shells?

Thanks!

Curt,

Have you visited this site ?

Xerox has a free color printer program for the 8400. I've used the solid ink before and it does a great job.

Not sure about pre-printed stock, tho. Since the cost of blank stock and the ink was relatively inexpensive, we just printed everything on the printer without using pre-printed cards, etc.

You need to make about 2000 copies/month, with a fair percent of those in color to qualify. Its certainly worth looking into if you haven't already!

Kathleen

A "free" printer is not worth it at all if you have to pay high retail prices for supplies and agree to buy a lot of them.

This is not really a scam, but it's definitely not a good deal.

J-

I have to disagree. The cost per copy is very reasonable. And, if you can replace outside printing costs with in-house work, you're saving in that area also.

In general I agree that nothing for free is any good, but in this case, I have personal knowledge from actually doing the numbers to prove that it makes monetary sense.

And, after a few years, you own the printer.

If you need a printer, I'd suggest taking the time to do the math. You might be pleasantly surprised!

Kathleen

Okay, let's compare:

I'm at about 11c a copy for consumables with my Minolta color laser, and that will be cut in half when the original toner runs out and I use inexpensive refills. These cartridges refill extremely easily and require only a phillips screwdriver unlike other lasers I've done. If you're not a DIY kind of person you can use factory cartridges and still hover just a bit over 10c a copy.

It doesn't duplex unless you fork over $200 or so for the duplexer option. I passed but might add one later. However it is networkable and makes fantastic 2400dpi prints, about on par with TV Guide or Reader's Digest (but not as good as a full gloss magazine like Time).

Under $500 brand new off the shelf and it will print 4500 pages with the included toner, and you are not obligated to buy anything ever again.

Here's the Xerox program for comparison:

"Once approved in the Power User program your only obligation is to purchase ink that you would need to purchase anyway. Each month you will receive a shipment of supplies that includes 2 - Cyan, 2- Magenta, 2- Yellow, and 4- Black ink sticks. You can expect to get approximately 1,200 - 2800 color prints with this supply of ink. You will be billed at the low cost of only $199 per month (+ applicable taxes) for these supplies."

Not only is the price on the high end, but it's also forcing you to buy 1200-2800 prints a month whether you need them or not. Even if you really need and would have used 2000+ prints a month anyway, you're still forced to pay high retail for them for 24 months.