Making the Most of Your Scanner

One of the most basic tenets of printing is that what comes out is only as good as what goes in. Wide-format scanners have played an increasing large role in the printing industry and the over all production of high-quality graphics and images. For the printer that is considering purchasing a wide-format scanner, there are some factors to consider.

Upon inspecting the major market leaders—Colortrac, Contex, and Graphtec—it would seem that many of the products out there are similar in nature when it comes to specs. What makes one scanner stand out above all of the rest? According to Steve Blanken, director of sales at Contex Americas, “The key to getting ahead in this market is to stop selling the specs and start selling the solution.”

Blanken explained that the specs on most wide-format scanners are similar enough that making comparisons is akin to splitting hairs. Instead, Blanken directs his sales team to “stop selling the box and start selling the solution around the box.” In other words, customize products to the needs of the client and show that client how to best utilize products that will perform at optimum levels for their needs.

Multi-Function Devices

Blanken said that although the cost of wide-format scanners has decreased dramatically, the average cost of a scanner is currently in the neighborhood of $8,000-$11,000, down from $12,000-$13000 two years ago. The cost may seem small to a larger business but the end user still needs to be able to get as much out of that particular system as possible. The end cost of the product depends on the level of quality needed from the scanner, whether it is going to be used for high end graphics or blueprints.

Multi-function devices are among the latest trends in the industry. Not only will a multi-function device save money, it will also save time and prevent the potential havoc that may be caused by using multiple devices, particularly if they use different operating systems and software.

Blanken said that the creation of a multi-function device is the best way to serve the client by giving the client as many options as possible to create high quality products at little cost, using equipment already in-house.

“I can attach one of our scanners to an existing device,” said Blanken. “I can go into anybody’s shop and say ‘my input device can work with any output device, and make it happen.”

Blanken also feels that it is important to educate the client on what is possible when a client uses a scanner as an attachment to an existing piece of equipment.

“If you attach an input device to an existing printer, 80 percent more ink and media will go through that printer.”

Jane Napolitano, marketing manager of Paradigm Imaging Group agrees that creating a multi-function device is the most appropriate way for printers to increase their production and therefore has become one of the foremost trends in the marketplace.

“One trend is the use of MFP’s in the wide-format scanning market,” said Napolitano. “Combining a wide-format scanner with a wide-format printer, stand, computer, software—all the components to essentially make it a large-format copier. Paradigm Imaging was one of the first to introduce our EIS systems (now generally known as MFP systems) back in 2005.”

Maree Joyce, product marketing manager, Wide Format Printing Systems Division of Océ North America, said: “An increasing trend is for customers to purchase a multifunctional unit rather than a scanner only. With the wide range of possibilities with the Océ CS scanner line and the Océ TC4 scanner, there are multifunctional options for most every customer need from low volume to high volume.

“Customers are looking into MF units for the following reasons:

• Printing graphics, not only scanning to archive or to send out to reprographers
• AEC firms with large print volumes where it would be more economical to own a multifunction print/copy/scan device rather than scan in documents and outsource the printing
• Government agencies that need to both view and print.”