Xerox Versant 180 Printing Press – Review of the Features and Performance

When it comes to image quality, the Xerox Versant 180 is an industry-leading printing press.

However, print shop operators with busy schedules know that pure image quality isn’t everything. If it was, publishers would still be painting book covers by hand like 16th century Franciscan monks. You need best-in-class quality that offers an edge over the competition while still remaining fast and cost-efficient.

The key to achieving an industry-leading edge is by incorporating technologies that decrease production time and make better use of available resources. In many cases, the most valuable resources that high-volume production shops of any kind have are human – in the publication and printing press industrial sector, this puts a clear emphasis on the value of automated workflows.

Fortunately, the Versant 180 is not only an industry-leading printing press in terms of its 2400 x 2400 DPI VCSEL ROS resolution and 1200 x 1200 x 10 RIP rendering ultra-HD performance. It is also a powerful tool for streamlining print shop workflows and ensuring that operators complete processes with state-of-the-art efficiency.

Xerox Versant 180 Review

The Versant 180 allows for easy automation of time-consuming processes through automated color management. But automated color management only accounts for part of the story – to truly optimize the process of manufacturing publication-quality materials, you need productivity enhancers that only add-on options and finishing can offer.

1. Advanced Oversized High Capacity Feeder

The Xerox Versant 180 supports an advanced oversized high capacity feeder option with 4,000-sheet capacity. It features two separate trays that accommodate paper sizes of up to 13 x 19.2 inches. Additionally, it includes a tray inserter that accommodates postcards and envelopes down to 4 x 6 inches in size.

2. Extra-Long Sheet (XLS) Capability

Printing banners, calendars, and dust jackets is easy with Xerox XLS functionality. This lets operators print materials up to 26 inches long.

3. Integrated Registration Alignment

The Xerox Versant 180 uses over 50 individual switches and sensors to control paper transport within the device. This system is automatic and accurate, preventing misfeeds and allowing for improved high-speed paper handling.

4. Integrated HD Scanner

While the Versant excels at high-volume printing applications, it also features a powerful dual-head color scanner. With a scan resolution of 600 DPI and a 250-sheet duplex automatic feeder, it is more than powerful enough to handle publication-quality scan-to-file, scan-to-email, and scan-to-server needs.

5. Advanced Finishing Options

Xerox’s Business Ready Finisher, Production Read Finisher, and Production Ready Finisher Plus options cover the gamut of professional finishing options. Xerox provides two-sided trimming options, decurlers, and multiple punching modules. You can even incorporate a complete a complete booklet maker in your production line and add binding with a GBC eWire tool.

Choosing from the Xerox Printers

To get the most of a fully optimized Xerox Versant 180, businesses and print houses can incorporate one of three print servers. Choose between the Xerox EX 180 Print Server Powered by Fiery, the next-level Xerox EX-i 180 Print Server, or the all-inclusive Xerox FreeFlow Print Server.

The EX-series print server options offer full Windows and Mac compatibility and allow for ultra-high definition resolution long with Fiery’s industry-standard color profiling and graphic arts packages. The Fiery API lets you build and customize unique apps for the Versant 180, and offers enhanced support for processing bundles such as Fiery JobFlow, Fiery Navigator, and Fiery Command WorkStation.

The main advantage to choosing the Xerox EX-i 180 Print Server is cost reduction. Both platforms use the Fiery FS200 printing software platform, but the EX-i features 2 GB of RAM and a 500 GB hard drive alongside a dual-core processor. The EX 180, on the other hand, boasts 4 GB of RAM, a 1 TB hard drive, and a 2.9 GHz quad core Intel i5 processor.

Xerox FreeFlow offers comprehensive variable data capabilities, letting you enhance productivity throughout the printing process. You can also use FreeFlow to customize printer fleet compatibility, making it a superb choice for print shops that need to balance workflows between multiple connected devices.

One of the major benefits to using Xerox FreeFlow is unparalleled flexibility. You can program your printing press to operate according to any existing workflow you have, and make full use of its efficiency-improving features. At the same time, an intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes operation simple for print shop employees.

Both print servers allow for preflight and preview functionality so that you can verify the output of printing press orders in real-time. The ability to correct mistakes before they become expensive production errors is a failsafe that helps ensure smooth operation and employee onboarding.

Want to learn more about the Xerox Versant 180 printing press? Ask a Kelley Connect specialist for more information.