Both are five-colour machines, and both print special work that not every print shop can do. So once you have decided you want a fifth colour, the question becomes: is the C7100X enough, or is the C7200X worth the difference?
The answer lies in three things: the fifth-colour options, the paper length, and the resolution.
The short answer
- Take the Ricoh Pro C7100X if what you need from the fifth colour is white, clear and neon, and your work is at SRA3 size.
- Take the Ricoh Pro C7200X if you want gold and silver, or a long banner up to 126 cm, or very fine work such as invitations and ornament.
Number by number
| Ricoh Pro C7100X | Ricoh Pro C7200X | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 80 pages per minute | 85 pages per minute |
| Fifth colour | White, clear, neon | 7 options: gold, silver, white, clear, neon yellow, neon pink, invisible red |
| Print resolution | 1200 × 4800 dpi | 2400 × 4800 dpi |
| Maximum paper weight | 360 gsm | 360 gsm |
| Maximum size | 33 × 48.7 cm | 33 × 48.7 cm, and banner up to 33 × 126 cm |
| Automatic duplex | Yes | up to 33 × 70 cm |
| Monthly volume | up to 700,000 pages | up to 700,000 pages |
| Maximum paper capacity | 16,200 sheets | 16,200 sheets |
| Full line length | about 3.18 m | about 3.37 m |
| Total weight | about 877 kg | about 922 kg |
| Power | two 16 A lines, under 5,000 W | two 16 A lines, under 5,000 W |
As you can see, speed, paper, monthly volume and power are very close. The real difference is in what follows.
Difference one: fifth-colour options
The C7100X prints white, clear and neon. That covers a lot of work:
- White on coloured, kraft and clear stock.
- Clear for a glossy touch on parts of the design.
- Neon for posters and stickers.
The C7200X adds gold and silver, neon in two colours (yellow and pink), and an invisible red that shows under ultraviolet light for tickets and coupons.
Gold and silver are what make the difference in the market for invitations, premium cards and gift boxes. If that is the market you have your eye on, the C7100X will not do it.
Difference two: banners
The C7200X prints banners up to 126 cm, and the C7100X goes to SRA3 (48.7 cm). If you make fold-out menus, long book covers or banners, that alone is reason enough.
The C7200X also prints both sides automatically up to 33 × 70 cm.
Difference three: resolution
Both use a 40-beam VCSEL laser. The C7200X runs at 2400 × 4800, twice the dots per inch in the laser direction compared with the C7100X (1200 × 4800).
On an ordinary brochure or catalogue you will not tell them apart by eye. The difference shows in very small type, thin lines and fine ornament, which is exactly the kind of work printed in gold and silver.
Toner cost
Both run on a toner set at the same price (EGP 26,500 in Egypt for the four colours), and the C7200X uses slightly less: its set prints about 13,000 sheets, and the C7100X set about 12,000. This is the toner of each job, by order, on the two machines:
| Job | Order | C7100X | C7200X |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poster one side · 1 per sheet100 posters | 100 posters | EGP 99 | EGP 91 |
| Folded A4 brochure two sides · 2 per sheet1,000 brochures | 1,000 brochures | EGP 520 | EGP 480 |
| Product stickers one side · 35 per sheet5,000 stickers | 5,000 stickers | EGP 192 | EGP 177 |
| A5 flyer two sides · 4 per sheet1,000 flyers | 1,000 flyers | EGP 374 | EGP 345 |
| Book or magazine cover one side · 1 per sheet500 covers | 500 covers | EGP 762 | EGP 704 |
| Wedding cards one side · 4 per sheet500 cards | 500 cards | EGP 222 | EGP 205 |
| A3 menu two sides · 1 per sheet100 menus | 100 menus | EGP 279 | EGP 258 |
| Business cards two sides · 24 per sheet1,000 cards | 1,000 cards | EGP 143 | EGP 132 |
| One sheet of everyday press work33 × 48 cm, one side | 33 × 48 cm, one side | EGP 2.21 | EGP 2.04 |
The figures come from everyday press work on the 33 × 48 cm sheet, a quarter of the full sheet. A job printed on both sides is counted with both sides. All prices are in Egyptian pounds.
On 10,000 sheets a month of everyday press work: about EGP 22,100 for the C7100X and EGP 20,400 for the C7200X. A difference of about EGP 1,700 a month, so this is not what will settle your decision.
On both machines the fifth colour is costed separately, by how much you use it. Prices change, so confirm the current price.
How do I choose?
- Will your customers ask for gold and silver? If yes, C7200X, and there is no alternative.
- Do you need prints longer than SRA3? If yes, C7200X.
- Is your work white, clear and neon at SRA3 size? The C7100X does all of it, and the price difference stays in your pocket.
Before you decide
Come to the showroom with a file from your work, print your sample on both, and see the white and the gold on the paper you actually use. That is better than any written comparison.
