Does anybody knows about an affordable 11x17 printer that can be used to print a magazine?

l_riefkohl_ferrer_1923365ed0

I'm looking for an affordable printer that can print magazines and also a machine that can bend and staple the paper. Please tell me if you need more info.

LynnInDenver

It depends on your definition of "affordable". That's mostly because you're looking at a full on "docutech" style printer (basically a network attached copier with a binding attachment), and those are aimed entirely at commercial operations. Even if you discard the "fold and stitch" aspect, 11x17 capability immediately pushes the machine into "that's OFFICE equipment, not PERSONAL".

Rafael

I do not know about your project. But I would recommend you think twice about a digital printed magazine.

- There is a digital distribution, PDF format, or similar.

- A machine that bends and staples means you will have a continuous flow of projects. Volume.

- The cost of digital per unit is very high. If you have a lot of it, it means that it would be expensive. So, consider outsourcing the project.

Just saying.

richardandtracy

You really do need to think of realistic quantities.

How many pages are you going to publish & what frequency? 100 pages a month, circulation of even as low as 10 becomes one heck of a burden every month, and amounts to 12000 sheets a year. That's hefty quantities to do at home, and the 24 reams of paper needed will be heavy to handle.

If you have 100 pages & a circulation of 100 a month, that really goes past DIY and more into the realms of subcontracting the printing. Also, distribution to your customers. Printing address labels & postage is going to take a surprising amount of time. When I was selling pens through the post, in limited quantities (4-10 per month) posting and packing was taking me around an hour per package when factoring the packaging, labelling, and taking it to the UK Royal Mail (not a notoriously quick organisation at the counters). Your customers may be helpful by coming back every edition which will streamline the operation quite a lot. But all this does need to be considered.

I don't know where you are, but I had several problems with posting physical goods to the US. The USPS, or maybe US Customs, destroyed around 70% of what I posted. And by destroyed, I mean turned it to powder. Literally, the resin of the pens was completely crushed, that could not be accidental and would take several tonnes of load. Sometimes it was only the third item that got through intact. It cost me so much I eventually had to decline orders from the US.

Regards,

Richard

FirstBastion

Have you ever consider "Print of Demand" services.   You do all the setup,  but these firms will print the book or magazine,, and ship the finished product for you.  They can even ship it to you. 

 

 

Sevrin

FirstBastion said:

Have you ever consider "Print of Demand" services.   You do all the setup,  but these firms will print the book or magazine,, and ship the finished product for you.  They can even ship it to you. 

 

 

Do this.  Outsourcing to a commercial printer is the way to go.

Commercial colour laser printers, especially ones with the collating functions you're looking for are EXTREMELY high maintenance.  They're nothing like consumer printers.  Aside from all the moving parts, colour calibration can be a nightmare, and your output can change with variations in temperature, humidity, etc.  You may end up spending more time maintaining the machine than on producing the publication.

nonesuch00

Even Amazon in it's pricing of indie created printed books highly discourages actually printing those books, and if any corporate has econimy of scale, it's Amazon.