Wide format Proofer Replacement

[richertim]

Hello all,
We have reached the point of requiring a new 36" plotter for client proofing. We have one that we use for colour plotters and one that we use for low-resolution content plotters. It's the content plotter that is needing to be replaced. The one we were using was an HP Designjet 1050 and we could print one side and refeed the cut sheet back through to print on the second side and then fold by hand the way the press would fold it to ensure our pagination is correct and then to send to the client. What I'm wondering is what other's are using? We also used to have an HP5500 with a double-sided attachment that would re-feed the paper and print the second side but that one is also shot. So I'm looking for recommendations on printers that would allow us to make a double-sided plotter. 

[born2print]

I'm not intimate with it, but we have one of these:

http://www.canon.ca/inetCA/en/products/method/gp/pid/640

It may be a good fit for your needs

[richertim]

Do you use yours for double-siding? 

[born2print]

Yes, as well as ganging, and it's FAST.

[richertim]

I've seen these set up with 2 for double-sided, are you just using one and then hand flipping the paper? 

[born2print]

no, sorry, ours is a dual / tandem setup that will spit out 2-sided forms
my link was just 1 unit.

[richertim]

Ah okay, so that's the Impo-proofer version. I don't think my boss will spring for that much dough. I'm curious though if you can feed the cut sheet back through if using just one machine... 

[Farabomb]

I remember doing that with Dylux and a barco back in the day. Our digital guy had some magic at his old place where he cut .25 off somewhere and it registered well but I think that will be hit and miss. If they can sell you 2 so you can backup, they might make it hard to backup with just one.

[born2print]

Ah okay, so that's the Impo-proofer version. I don't think my boss will spring for that much dough. I'm curious though if you can feed the cut sheet back through if using just one machine...

That's what we do with the Epsons, but no idea with the Canon as it will duplex from the roll for us, never tried to re-feed a cut sheet.

[richertim]

Ah okay, so that's the Impo-proofer version. I don't think my boss will spring for that much dough. I'm curious though if you can feed the cut sheet back through if using just one machine...

That's what we do with the Epsons, but no idea with the Canon as it will duplex from the roll for us, never tried to re-feed a cut sheet.

So you're re-feeding epsons for double siding? What model?

[born2print]

A 9800 and a 9900, fed through and EFI server though, not direct.

[Joe]

We used to have a couple of Canon 44" printers. We could run a cut sheet back through though not sure how much success you will have getting it to back up correctly.

[born2print]

With the automated tandem setup the backup is SUPURB!

[richertim]

So what do other prepress departments do for client proofs, or bluelines for the press? Single sided and then glue together?

[Joe]

We have no printers. They can view a flipbook in Insite for pagination.