Home based printing for fliers/business cards or have it done professionally?

[tankman1989]

I'm at a sticking point when it comes to figuring out what to do with regards to buying a printer for printing business cards, fliers, handouts, coupons, door hangers, etc or having these done at a local printing company. I figure that if I buy a printer I can make changes much easier and more often but I don't want to spend an arm and a leg on a printer (very tight budget).

I am wondering which route you would go as to color printers. Should I get a color laser or inkjet? I would be that the laser would be more efficient and faster and less costly for higher volume printing.

As I am a new business and am going to be soliciting new customers I want to make a professional first appearance.

What would you do if you were in this situation?

It looks like the cheapest color laser printer I can find on Newegg is the HP CP2025dn for $359.99 which is about $100 more than I wanted to spend. I found some other printers on Craigslist for $300-450 but don't know what to think about used laser printers.

So, anyone have any opinions on this?

 

[tankman1989]

Scratch the $359 being the cheapest color lasr printer. I don't know how the search didn't pull up these cheaper ones.

I see that a lot of the lower end printers are full of problems and many people treat them as "throw away items".

What would be your thoughts on buying an older model that was expensive (when it was new), cleaning it up and using it? I've seen old $20-30K printers sell for $500-$1,000. These are beasts of a machine which are reliable and usually pretty high quality.

 

[muncherw]

What about using a printing company for some of your initial things with the intent of buying a printer after you have drummed up some more business?

If it's a mom & pop type printer you might even be lucky enough to trade services with them.

 

[Martyn]

I wouldn't personally spend a lot on a printer, my HP cost £53 with a £40 voucher and does what I want. My forms look professional and the machine will also scan and fax. It has a built in network port so I can print from anywhere even wireless as it is plugged into a switch which in turn connects to my wireless router.

You should spend the money you save on a professional logo, good business cards, logo'd polo shirts and some signage for your car. Later when the money comes in buy a printer if you want one.

 

[tankman1989]

What about using a printing company for some of your initial things with the intent of buying a printer after you have drummed up some more business?

If it's a mom & pop type printer you might even be lucky enough to trade services with them.

I think this is what I am going to do to start off. I'll probably spend $150 total for business cards and fliers. I should be able to make this back with 2-4 jobs. I'll then start setting aside 10% of each job for the printer fund and by the time I go through all the cards and promos I should have more than enough to get a new/used printer!

Thanks for the advice!

 

[xxsilk109xx]

I own a postal/copy store as well and we have a Ricoh MPC3000, its a great machine, and we have a service contract on it which supplies us with toner, parts, and labor. We had to have the color transfer plate replaced (i think thats what its called) he said if it was not under service that part would have been $1200 dollars!! Plus the labor...

Just keep in mind that those bigger machines take expensive parts and unless you know how to work on them and diagnose them, the labor is expensive as well..

 

[Velvis]

I bought a HP 2600N color laser a few years back for printing flyers and it was $400. However the 4 cartridges are over $400 and the thing went through them like a kid in a candy store. I quickly found out it was an expensive mistake. I ended up throwing it out.

I'd recommend a good business quality laser b&w printer (older HP models are cheap, in fact I have come across a number of them from clients and even the dump swap.) The replacement toner is dirt cheap on ebay and lasts forever. For all business forms, contracts etc. it is perfect. It has the added benefit of not being used for 50 thousand color prints from the kids....
They are workhorses (I have a 4100 with multiple trays and 4200 both connected via ethernet.)

I do all my business cards via Vista Print with my own custom designs, photos, and artwork. Once you have it in their system it is easy to make changes or to print out banners, magnets, car magnets, etc. with the same look and feel. I dont think the homemade business card paper is of high enough quality to be considered professional.

IMO, I find anything done in color is most likely more expensive to do at home vs. having a commercial printer do it.

I also find very little need for color in business documents.

There is my two cents.

 

[tankman1989]

I bought a HP 2600N color laser a few years back for printing flyers and it was $400. However the 4 cartridges are over $400 and the thing went through them like a kid in a candy store. I quickly found out it was an expensive mistake. I ended up throwing it out.

I'd recommend a good business quality laser b&w printer (older HP models are cheap, in fact I have come across a number of them from clients and even the dump swap.) The replacement toner is dirt cheap on ebay and lasts forever. For all business forms, contracts etc. it is perfect. It has the added benefit of not being used for 50 thousand color prints from the kids....
They are workhorses (I have a 4100 with multiple trays and 4200 both connected via ethernet.)

I do all my business cards via Vista Print with my own custom designs, photos, and artwork. Once you have it in their system it is easy to make changes or to print out banners, magnets, car magnets, etc. with the same look and feel. I dont think the homemade business card paper is of high enough quality to be considered professional.

IMO, I find anything done in color is most likely more expensive to do at home vs. having a commercial printer do it.

I also find very little need for color in business documents.

There is my two cents.

Thanks for the ideas. I think I am going to order an old HP.
What do you think of these:
http://www.dolphininc.net/HP_LaserJet_4000_Printer_-_Service_Unit.html?m1track=googlebase&utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=export_feed

http://www.cpainc.ca/product/C4118A.htm

http://www.dectrader.com/C4118A-Ref-HP-LaserJet-4000-Printer.html?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=parts

These are all used or "refurbished". Prices range from $38 to $100. I can't figure out if one of these is better or if any of these are scams. I wonder if they have toner cartridges?

 

[BryanVest]

I would go with printing companies. You can get such great deals on sites like

uprinting and printrunner that ink costs arent worth it. I got 2000 business cards for $50

 

[Velvis]

The 4000 looks just like the 4100 I have (I have dual trays which is nice if you have letterhead in one, or just double the paper.)

Id also look for one with a ethernet connection so it isnt tied to a specific machine.

I'd stay away from the "home" lasers primarily because if the paper isnt fed from a tray it tend to warp and not feed. (Paper that is gravity fed from the top of the units like a 5L) They also dont hold as much paper.

Also it might be worth it to find a printer local on craigslist, the old HP business class lasers weigh a ton and I would imagine cost a lot to ship.

 

[JAG Computers]

As of right now, I use Avery glossy business cards as my volume is not high enough to use a printing service yet. I feel these give me a professional look while allowing me to buy them when I need to. Once I get to a large enough sales base I will order through vistaprint.

 

[NeutronTech]

As of right now, I use Avery glossy business cards as my volume is not high enough to use a printing service yet. I feel these give me a professional look while allowing me to buy them when I need to. Once I get to a large enough sales base I will order through vistaprint.

I just got 500 premium cards from vistaprint for $4.00

 

[tankman1989]

I just got 500 premium cards from vistaprint for $4.00

Wholly cow! $4? You can't beat that! How did you find it for so little?