Investing in a flexo-printing machine involves many considerations. First, you must think about your budget as you peruse your options for drying systems, web widths, number of colours, level of automation and optional add-ons like web cleaners. At the end of it all, the price for a new six colour press can cost you between £150,000 and £295,000. This excludes the cost to add more colours and applications, so you shouldn’t make a purchase before talking to some experts and reviewing your options
Not surprisingly, it is the cost of a new flexo-press that causes many companies to purchase used presses instead. However, is this the best decision in terms of ROI? Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of buying a used machine vs. purchasing a new flexo-press.
The Risk Of Buying Used
There is no question that the market for used flexo-presses is saturated with all manner of equipment. This is due to the rapid advance of print technologies. Although this does leave you spoiled for choice in many ways, purchasing used also carries more of a risk than it used to. For example, a couple of decades ago when changes to print technology were infrequent, purchasing second-hand might only put you a year behind the most current technology. Today, however, purchasing last year’s press can mean that you’re light years away from the latest advancements your competitors may be enjoying.
Equipment Breakdown
There is a good chance that your used and/or refurbished press will run well for a very long time. But what happens if one or more of its components breaks down? Depending on the age of your machine, replacement parts may be very difficult to find. This is especially true of electronic components, which can become obsolete seemingly in the blink of an eye. If you can’t locate the parts you need, you may be forced to purchase another used press.
It Can’t Grow With You
Although a used press may be very low-cost, it may end up holding you back. In order for your business to grow, you require equipment that can grow with you by allowing you to add new components as they come on the market to expand the capability of your machine. As well, the used machine you want may not be available in the condition you need it in, nor may it offer the kind of special components you might require.
It is true that in purchasing a used press, you can have a reliable back-up in case something happens with the equipment you’re already using. It can also be a good idea where you want to invest in equipment without going into additional debt. However, does purchasing a new machine make more sense?
Higher Efficiency
The verdict from the majority of print businesses is that new machines are the best choice in the long run. Not only do they have far fewer problems than their older counterparts, but they cost less to maintain and run, and work more efficiently overall. They also have a longer working life than second-hand presses.
Financing Is Available
Back in the day, purchasing a new press was a more complicated process, as getting credit wasn’t easy. Today, however, financing is common and has put new technology well within the reach of all sizes of print businesses, giving them an advantage over the competition.
Buying New Benefits You
There is no question that purchasing used equipment can get you instant savings. But what about the long term? A used press offers no guarantees; you cannot rely on it to be there for you over the long term. A new machine may cost more up front but with financing available for budgets of all sizes, you can easily find the right fit. Not only that, but your new press will reward you with long-term ROI.
The Advantage Of Purchasing From The UK
Print technology is enjoying advancements all over the world. But in the UK, innovations in print technology are in high gear, with more versatile, energy efficient, and faster machines coming onto the market. The choice of whether to purchase new or used is yours to make. But one thing is for sure: there has never been a better time than right now to purchase a new, UK-made flexo-press with all of the latest components and get ahead of your competition.
All You Need To Know About Flexo-Printing
Find out more about the benefits of flexo-printing in our new Ultimate Guide to Flexo-Printing. Simply click here to download your free copy – the e-book is full of advice you can use to boost your productivity and save money on your print hardware.
