New Xerox iGen 4 Press Debuts at Graph Expo

Xerox iGen 4

Digital Presses

In-line stitching could make iGen 4 suitable for personalized magazine publishing

October 2008 Graph Expo Edition

Xerox unwrapped iGen 4, proclaiming it the most productive and highest-quality cut-sheet digital color press in the printing industry.Ohio commercial printer Metzgers Printing & Mailing is among the first print providers to get an iGen4 press.

Metzgers plans to increase their efficiency by running more short run jobs on digital. “With the new automation features on the iGen4 press we will be able to reduce the ‘number of hands’ needed per job from 10 on offset to four with digital,” said Joe Metzger, president, Metzgers Printing & Mailing. It’s unknown whether Metzger will use the igen for personalized magazine printing.

In-line Saddle Stitching Finishes Job

The option to add in-line saddle-stitch finishing was another key factor in Metzgers’ purchasing decision. Previously, producing booklets and brochures was a labor-intensive process that will be significantly streamlined by printing digitally and finishing the job in-line. Metzgers – the first customer to purchase an iGen4 with saddle-stitch capabilities – can now produce a variety of personalized materials with offset and photo quality, faster and more cost-effectively for its customers.

Pesronalized magazines that combine targeted display advertising and short-runs are a perfect fit for iGen 4. It remains to be seen if Xerox will market iGen as a solution for personalized publications. Last year Xerox unveiled a continuous feed machine capable of printing tabloid sized newspapers at 600 DPI. However, not much has been written about the device with regard to newspaper publication output.