Konica Minolta C5501

Describe your business
We're a digital large-format printer and we also specialise in flatbed printing. We do a lot of printing for exhibitions and also do some one-off projects and signage. In addition to the factory, we have a shop where we print small-format work.

What does the machine do?

We use it to produce things like business cards, brochures, leaflets and flyers for both our trade customers and members of the public.

Why did you choose this particular machine?
We spoke to a lot of people in the trade who said that, as far as they were concerned, Konica Minolta produced the best machines. They said that Konica machines were very efficient and offered good quality.

Did you look at any similar machines?
Yes, we looked at Canon and Xerox printers, but for us there was no choice, it had to be the Konica Minolta as we didn't hear a bad word about it.

What features do you particularly like?
Mainly the quality of the print that it produces.

Is there anything that you dislike?
No, nothing.

Is there anything that you wish it did that it doesn't?
The only thing that you could ask for is for it to print bigger documents and faster.

How fast does it print?
It prints between 50 and 55 A4 sheets a minute. It's slower on A3 sheets – about 30 sheets per minute.

Is it reliable?
Yes, it's really reliable. We haven't really had any problems with it at all and any problems we have had were generally to do with consumables, which Danwood, who supplied us with the machine, were usually able to fix by the next day.

What is the quality like?
It's really good. We've had a lot of comments about the high quality of the printing from people within the trade and from our customers who come into the shop.

How easy is it to use?
The software that comes with it is really easy to use and we generally don't have any problems with it.

How much time or money has it saved?
We used to print A3 through our large-format printers, which took longer and was more expensive. The Konica Minolta makes it much easier to finish these documents.

Has it won you any new work?
Yes, as this is a new area for us. We have won new work both with our existing trade customers and with local people and businesses as well.

Does it offer you value for money?
Yes, definitely.

Did you experience any difficulties during installation or after?
No, we didn't. Our operator has used machines like this before. It was probably up and running and making money on the first day.

What about the pre- and after-sale service?
Danwood offered us really good service. They came and fixed any of the small problems that we had within a day.

Who do you think the machine is right for?
For short-run litho printers and copy shops.

Would you buy another?
Definitely. If we got enough work, we would think about getting another one.

Conclusion
User’s verdict:  
Speed    ****
Quality    ****

Reliability ****
Value for money *****

Supplier's response     
Gerry Mulvaney, managing director of the graphics and production systems division at The Danwood Group, says: "Roddy Darroch is typical of many of our customers in the commercial print market, he sets high standards himself and expects the same from his equipment and his suppliers. As a result, I am happy that he values the Konica Minolta press we supplied so highly, we have a specialist team of sales and support people dedicated to making sure he stays that way."

Price On application
Contact The Danwood Group, 01522 834490