More Printing for Less Money at Principia College

For years, when departments at Principia College wanted to print an announcement, it cost them $10 to $15 for a 24x36˝ full-color poster. Since the beginning of this year, however, departments can now get more bang for the buck by paying just 50 cents for a slightly smaller, albeit just as effective, 12x30˝ poster to hang around campus.

That’s because in January 2018, the college’s Mail & Copy department installed a Canon imagePRESS C750 digital color production press with a long sheet feeder to replace its Konica Minolta bizhub PRESS C6000. And since the in-plant is fully funded by the college, it only charges back absolute cost to customers.

Ward Patterson, manager of the Elsah, Ill.-based in-plant, says it was a necessary move, and one that came with significant savings. He explains that the 75-ppm Canon device was considered because of its 12x30˝ sheet capabilities, which have proved to be an asset to the three-employee in-plant.

“For example, some of the student activities used to have, say, two 24x36˝ [posters] printed up within their budget limits,” he says. “Now, we will take, say, 15 of the 12x30˝ and be able cover more of the campus with the information and do it for much less money. … In a cost-based operation, that makes a big difference.”

Patterson describes the differences the press has made as a “win-win” because it has provided students with more printed product for less money.

Although the device has worked to shift the jobs that come into the in-plant, it hasn’t necessarily created new business.

“Have we brought in more jobs? I don’t really think so, but are we serving the students’ needs better, yes,” he says confidently. Not only is the C6000 saving money, Patterson says the “print quality is fantastic” too, and points specifically to color consistency as a key benefit of the digital press, which can handle a variety of media options up to 110-lb. cover.

Although the poster business is going well, Patterson says the Mail & Copy department can print “anything” on the device, from student orientation packets to scholarship certificates, and that it serves well as a backup to the department’s Konica Minolta bizhub PRESS C1085.

Although Patterson has seen success with the new device, he still strongly suggests doing the due diligence to find the right press before making a decision.

“Have the wisdom and patience to get multiple bids,” he advises. “Do your thorough research. It’s saving us a lot of money going the way we did.”