Print-on-demand (POD) services are the ideal answer to inventory management concerns in the printing industry. They are swift yet capable of handling numerous types of media while getting high-quality products to customers with a fast turnaround. Therefore, an industry-leading POD printer needs robustness to handle demand and malleability to expand a company’s product scope. Discover who has the most versatile printer for printer-on-demand.
Why Does Versatility Matter?
Versatility is key in POD printing because it influences what a company can offer customers. The best of the best can go beyond simple paper products and meet even the most niche client needs. These are the ways a POD printer’s functionalities impact organizations.
Expanded Product Offerings
Printing a brochure or hundreds of flyer copies is a solid start for a printing agency, but more objects need branding in varied formats and sizes. The printer should handle all material types, including papers, canvases, fabrics, cardstock, and more. It should accommodate thicknesses and dimensions without compromising quality. The adaptability allows printers to create:
- Posters
- Stickers
- T-shirts
- Mugs
- Puzzles
- Books
- Carpets
- Cards
Tending to Changing Customer Desires
Every buyer is different. One could be decorating for a birthday party while another is a small business attempting to launch its marketing campaign. Both these scenarios — and everything in between — will have a unique aesthetic. A celebration’s flair may call for glossy finishes, while the professionalism of an enterprise needs matte.
Additionally, one customer may need business cards in addition to a gift for a friend. The POD printer business must be able to fulfill visually distinct orders in other mediums simultaneously to make sure lead times stay low.
Adaptability to Trends
POD printing is an always-evolving industry with new technologies appearing annually. They promise enhancements like greater speeds or customization. The best printer providers know what products to leverage to meet changing customer preferences without investing too many resources in what could be a fleeting interest.
They remain loyal to the most foundational models and maintain their reputation while testing the staying power of trends with only the best-performing tools. Having the freedom to sell trendy POD printers also gives companies a competitive advantage.
Also read: 6 Ways to Print and Apply Labels for Your Products
Saving Money and Resources
Versatility in a POD printer may also be about finding cost-saving opportunities. The investment could streamline printing operations spanning multiple printers and consolidate them into one. They can have multiple applications, so a single model should be able to replace the need to have an entire fleet of printers.
What Do People Look for in the Best POD?
The best POD printers have specific traits alongside their versatility. These specifications set many providers above the rest.
| Professional-quality prints | Has crisp resolution and color accuracy no matter the medium |
| Quality media handling | Handles varying project complexities with equal precision, including different thicknesses, weights, margins and textures |
| Durability | Maintains efficiency despite frequent use and avoids breakdowns |
| Output speeds | Has high page-per-minute capabilities and holds this standard for all types of media |
| Cost-effectiveness | Uses ink and toner resourcefully and has low energy demands to maximize budgets |
| Connectivity | Encourages seamless technological integrations with reliable internet and program compatibility, including raster image processor software |
Who Has the Most Versatile Printer for Print-on-Demand (POD)?
These are the companies representing the characteristics of industry-leading POD printer providers.
1. Fujifilm
Image source: Fujifilm
Fujifilm is one of the biggest names in printing, cameras, and overall technological excellence. It has been a go-to for nearly a century, and it has some of the best POD printers out there. It has a specific team dedicated to servicing its printing partners, keeping products in the best condition, and helping clients expand their knowledge.
The organization offers countless products to print on demand. It has toner production, digital inkjet, and wide-format POD printers. The PC1120 prints around 120 pages per minute up to 400-gram substrates, and its color is unmatched because of its specialty toner stations. Its J Press 750S promises double the output for letter-size documents because of its advanced engineering and offset frame.
Another option is its computer-to-plate systems. These prevent ink contamination while supporting commercial, packaging, and label printing efforts. With advanced lasers, temperature control, and ultraviolet lamps, these promise short print times with high repeatability.
It also offers its XMF PressReady automation solution, which manages POD printers with minimal intervention. It takes care of repetitive tasks to allow operators to focus on high-value tasks. Its ability to receive, sort, impose, and deliver jobs makes it one of the most cost-effective and productive digital workflow integrations for POD products.
2. Konica Minolta
Image source: Konica Minolta
Konica Minolta has been around for over 150 years, constantly refining its photographic and printing technologies. It distinguishes its products based on aptitude in decorative prints and embellishment, labeling and packaging, or digital press applications. It offers high-speed inkjet and wide-format printers, so companies in all industries can take advantage.
If a POD printer needs to push over one million pages, the AccurioPress C3080 can do it. This enterprise-level machine is one of the most durable and versatile for the cost. If a company needs something more test, the C6100 doubles the monthly volume with even better resolution.
Another stunner is the AccurioWide 250, which has a 1440 dpi and embedded workflow software. Products like this use as little ink as possible per square foot while keeping image quality superior.
3. Ricoh
Image source: Ricoh
Ricoh’s POD printers take printing expectations and amplify them for every product. Its priorities are multifunctionality and diversity, so its machines can appeal to all types of companies, including government agencies. The specifications tout high resolutions despite handling hundreds of thousands of pages in a short time.
Its printers aim to be easy to use regardless of their scale. For example, the Ricoh Pro C5300s is a comprehensive, low-cost option despite its size, capable of handling diverse media types. The C7200x is a definite upgrade with its sleek appearance and expert load handling. Even more advanced solutions include the BlueCrest series and the Scodix Ultra 2500 SHD. These can handle direct mail or more precise jobs that require smart functionalities and digital registration capabilities.
Ricoh also offers product recycling, assuming corporate social responsibility by keeping equipment, materials, and toner out of ecosystems and recycling them as much as possible.
Also read: What is the Future of the Office Printer?
4. Xerox
Image source: Xerox
Xerox does more than create its famous copy machines. It specializes in all printing areas, including POD. It has all-in-one equipment and digital sheetfed printing presses alongside laser printers. Its portfolio asserts every product is productive and highly configurable.
The Versant 280 is one of its most flexible offerings. It can handle heavyweight media, printing in high resolutions no matter the texture. This specialty makes it suitable for business cards, canvases, and books, especially since it comes with automated folding and stapling. The upgraded 4100 model makes as many of the processes as possible touch-free and automated.
With its products, Xerox also offers tons of peripherals, including print management, workflow, personalization and enterprise content management control software. These could help businesses easily undergo digital transformation and embrace automation to its fullest potential.
5. Canon
Image source: Canon
Canon is another industry staple, consistently providing great image quality. Its POD products suit the needs of small- and large-sized businesses.
Its products are some of the most recognizable, such as the Canon imagePRESS C165, which boasts a 65-page-per-minute speed with a monthly volume capacity of 80,000 pages. It is an entry-level option. However, Canon also has models like the C810 to help companies scale printing. It has a user-friendly touchscreen and numerous accessory options. The V1000 is perfect for mass-producing marketing materials because of its clarity and speed, even on thicker, heavier materials.
However, experts will want products in the varioPRINT iX-series. This is suitable for publishers and specialist print shops with tons of clients needing fast output. Another option is the Colorado 1650, which can take on multiple substrates like wallpapers and vinyl. It uses a unique ink to give it instant drying, which is great for time-sensitive assignments.
Beyond Paper Printing
Finding out who has the most versatile printer for print-on-demand is simple by following these known traits of top performers. The technology aims to facilitate a wide array of consumer needs in high demand. In doing so, it should maintain quality, speed, and efficiency without degrading under pressure. Clients can rest easy knowing these options consider these standards more than others on the market.
Leave a comment