When is it cost effective to consider purchase of an imagesetter?

Today with need for film and plates, "upon demand" at the lowest, means that most printers, large and small, need to be able to control the whole process at the one location.

Fortunately things are getting easier all the time. For modest operations, everything needed for basic prepress can be assembled at one or more workstations. The only major expenses: the to film or direct to plate output from an imagesetter.

When is it cost effective to consider installing an imagesetter drum recorder? Consider the following:

• Present cost of outside services
  
• Cost of one color or spot color graphics and type.
  
• Cost of color separations.
  
• Dollar value of time lost in communication with the outside vendor
  
• Cost of processing outside vendor's account
  
• Loss of control
  
• Employees are limited in exposure to new methods and technologies.
  
• Competitive edge is lost - customers prefer to deal with companies that have a complete in-house service becausethere is better quality control.
  
• Most service bureaus do not offer processing of paper and polyester plates particularly in low volume.

It should be possible to arrive at a dollar figure for the cost using the above guidelines.

For value added comparisons appraise the following:

• Probable saving of around 40% on work processed at location.
  
• Value of internal control.
  
• Value of time saved in communication with a third party.
  
• Value of customer appreciation of the new full service.
  
• Added value if another printer can be persuaded to utilize the new service.

As a rule of thumb, you should be able to afford an imagesetter no more than your total cost for one year of outside.

Prepared By Fred Simper