Ok, some of you on the Xerox side may have read my CLC4000 troubles, it looks like I am on the verge of having it bought back from the dealer. I have been in contact with a Xerox rep and he seems to think the DocuColor 5000 would fit our needs well.

Before I move away from the darkside, can some of you enlighten me as to what DFE I should be paying more attention to? We are getting more envolved in variable data, and have some rather color critical customers as well.

craig,

you mentioned getting more involved in variable data. how are you going to do your variable? hand coding, web to print solution (i.e. xmpie), software application (i.e. darwin, fusion pro, etc.). what type of variable printing quick turn short run. long or short run recurring work (same mailing every day, new data file daily)?

what other equipment are you working with? you mentioned color becoming more critical, how do you hope to handle that? what is the skillset of your digital prepress or operators?

Right now all variable data is set up in InDesign then datamerged to a pdf, which is freeformed through a fiery. I am going to purchase fusion pro though.

Most of the variable data jobs are simple 5.5x8.5" 4/4 mailers runs of 2000 to 15000 pieces. As far as critical color what I mean is it needs to be consistent from top to bottom of the sheet (the CLC4000 is not) so the customer does not think it came from different machines

VI and FusionPro? If you're going to be imposing these pieces, get a Creo.