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5 Strong reasons why should not buy used web offset printing press

Now that you have decided to begin to delve into the web offset printing, the first order of business is to purchase a web offset press. The decision making involved with the purchase of a web offset machine is arguably the most crucial process involved in the startup of a successful printing business. This importance is highlighted by the massive cost associated with such a purchase and its implications to the business. Considering the economic expenses associated with such a purchase it is quite common for business owners to be inclined to acquire a used web offset machine. The aim henceforth is to outline the reasons why the purchase of a used web offset machine will spell disaster for your printing business and why it is advisable to opt for a brand new machine instead.

1. QUALITY OF JOBS

First and foremost, it is necessary to understand the scope of a web offset press. Such a machine is primarily used in the printing of newspapers, catalogs, brochures, magazines, books and other similar high volume items. Needless to say these are high quality jobs requiring a top class printing press.

The issue with utilizing a used web offset machine is that there is no guarantee of its quality.

Generally speaking, a used web offset machine is considerably lower in quality when compared to brand new printing apparatus. It is definitely not a wise decision to knowingly purchase equipment that produces lower quality products, especially if you are looking to build a business that will sustain over the long run. You definitely don’t want to go in the direction that may be fatal for your entire business sustainabiliy. Today’s customer is spoilt for choice and the print quality is the first thing they notice and appreciate.

2. GENERATION OF PRINT WASTE

The next reason includes economical as well as environmental considerations. A used printing machine has no guarantees regarding print waste. This raises two concerns.

First of all, from a purely economic viewpoint, the more the waste created during the printing process the greater the losses sustained by the business. After all, the generation of waste is simply money down the drain. Not to mention, proper disposal of the waste will cost the business additional money.

The second consideration takes a more environmental perspective. Once waste is generated its proper disposal is also important. Taking care of the community and surroundings around the printing press generates good will which is essential for any business to thrive in the long run.

When a new printing press is purchased there are guarantees that the manufacturer can provide regarding the amount of waste that will be generated as a byproduct of the printing process. It is the lack of such a guarantee that makes it an ill-advised decision to purchase a used web offset printing press.

3. LACK OF SERVICE

Furthermore, used web offset presses present the additional problem of lack of service. New printing presses come with warranties and assurances of prompt and often free servicing for a certain time period.

With all used web offset printing machines this warranty period is long over and the onus of maintaining and repairing the machinery falls entirely on you.

The lack of any assurances with regard to promptness of service also create additional problems.

This problem is further compounded by the fact that web offset machines are mainly used to print newspapers and time sensitive jobs and any downtime of the presses will prove to be disastrous for the revenues the business hopes to accumulate. There is no point in being involved in daily maintenance issues of the press, while you should be focussed on sales.

4. PROPER FUNCTIONING & LIFE OF COMPONENTS

In continuation to the aforementioned point, proper service becomes important because of the nature of the equipment. A web offset printing press is a complex piece of machinery consisting of many parts which may seem small but are imperative to the proper functioning of the press.

Even if you insist on a print trial to test the quality of the machinery and the print that is created, it is close to impossible to be sure of the equipment. There are so many parts constituting the web offset printing press making it impossible to thoroughly examine each and every fragment in full detail.

Since it is a used piece of machinery the seller would not be willing to take any guarantees regarding the life of the parts.

Furthermore, as far as the seller is considered the sale is simply an economic transaction and the problems that you may encounter later hold no importance. It is for this reason that it is unlikely that he or she would be willing to be completely truthful about any accidents that may have happened previously or any faults that may be present in the printing press.

Even if we assume that the seller is being truthful and that the used web offset printing press is in decent condition, it is incredibly difficult to be able to accurately predict the life that is still left in the machinery.

The purchase of a web offset printing press for your business is not a decision you can go back on. Additionally, it is also a massive investment. Therefore, it is imperative that you make the soundest decision possible.

5. INSTALLATION & TRANSPORTATION COSTS

Finally, the last point is for those who want to cut costs and do not care about the aforementioned points. Even if you save money on the actual machine, there is still an exorbitant expense involved with the installation of the web offset printing machine.

When buying new equipment, the manufacturer often takes care of the transportation and installation costs, however, when buying used machinery, the responsibility of both installation and transportation falls on you.

The monetary advantage that you may have gained from purchasing used machinery will definitely reduce when the above mentioned costs are factored in.

If the additional expenditure from each of the points mentioned previously is summed into the total expenses, then is it really still worth buying a used web offset printing press?

At the end of the day the goal of any business is to maximize profits and market share which maintaining sustainability. If you really wish to see your printing business flourish in the long term than some initial investment is required. So long as you maintain this ideology it really is counter-intuitive to cut costs on what is quite possibly the most critical component of your business. It is always going to be in the best interest of your printing business to forgo used machinery and purchase a brand new reliable web offset printing press.