Sidebar: Fujifilm/Xerox New Print Solutions

Sidebar: Fujifilm/Xerox New Print Solutions

1008

Last month, Fujifilm U.S.A. and Xerox introduced the Xerox Phaser 7076 at PMA. According to John Meyer, Vice President, Commercial Marketing, Imaging Division, Fujifilm U.S.A., the printer, which utilizes technology that’s very similar to some of its high-end products, produces prints of ”exceptional quality.” Why the Xerox Phaser 7076? “As we talked to our customers, we realized they wanted to get into books, cards and calendars, but weren’t sure how to do that.”

The Xerox Phaser 7076 is a duplexing printer—it prints on both sides automatically—and allows users to produce photo books from 8.5”X11” to 12”X12”. “We are going to be offering three different core products (not limited to, but as an initial offering) of an 8.5”X11” book, an 8”x8” book and a 12”X12” sheet for a full-size scrapbook format,” says Meyer. “We’re also offering an 8.5”X11” spiral-bound, flip calendar and a 5”X7” folded greeting card.”

According to Fujifilm the Phaser 7076 is a full solution that includes software, color management, and a variety of media. “The Phaser will be integrated into our software—our PIC solution,” says Meyer. Retailers that have Frontier systems will only need to purchase the Phaser printer, and Fuji will provide the software modules to connect the drivers to the PIC. “It’s a very simple installation,” says Meyer, “and then they’ll be able to take orders both online and from a kiosk (for pick up in-store).”

The online solution will offer more functionality from a cropping, rotating, and creative perspective, while the kiosk solution will be a very basic interface. “Our retail customers do not want their customers spending two, three or four hours on a kiosk to produce a photo book,” explains Meyer. “We will have options to receive information and files that they’ll be able to print out whether it’s a book, card, or calendar, for customer pick up at retail. We’re very excited about this—it’s a simple interface, the product quality is very, very good, and it allows our retailers to offer new products beyond the 4×6 and 8×10.”

Together, Fuji and Xerox are working on additional business opportunities (via the Phaser) for retailers from banner prints to pre-scored labels (stickers) to jeweled CD cases. “We’re also looking at what else we can we provide beyond books and folding cards because by Christmas 2007, our customers will be asking for something new. We’re going to offer different levels of product at different price points. The core here,” reiterates Meyer, “is books, cards, and calendars; but we will be offering customers a full solution—the binding systems needed to produce hardbound books, the spiral bound system for flip calendars, and utilizing Xerox media to pre-score 5×7 card media.

“We’re also looking at the Phaser product for commercial labs,” says Meyer, “because the Phaser includes professional finishing on the backend that folds, staples and punches. We’re very excited because it is a complete system that enables our customers to get into specialty printing and have new revenue opportunities.”

A full launch of the Xerox Phaser 7076 is expected in June, 2007. On the Pro side, Fujifilm has introduced the DocuColor 240-250, a product with a higher capacity to produce books, cards, calendars, etc., which it has already been selling to professional and commercial labs.

NO COMMENTS