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To my knowledge the largest current digital press is the Xerox iGen3 @ a max sheet of 14x20.5 . We have one here where I work. I don't know of anything bigger that's out yet.

We have an Inca Eagle press that prints up to a 5' x 8' sheet, and up to 1.5" thick.

Our HP5000 prints 60" wide, and our Epson 9600 prints 44" wide.

I hate to sound like a salesman, but you need to put a price on "need".
My quick cipherin' here without my paper price books puts this job at around $800 Canadian, assuming single sided print with no finishing, on commodity gloss book. The going rate here in Calgary for plotter output is about $10.00 per square foot, for a total of $2000.00. I have a feeling that plotter output prices vary at least as much as offset print prices from region to region.
As far as digital presses, do a search for KBA Karat - this is a 4 colour digital press in 20 x 29 size. The last time I saw an install list, there were only about 3 or 4 in North America, but that was before the last Drupa.
Don't count on digital being cheaper just because it is digital. Printers charge as MUCH as the market will bear, not as LITTLE as they can afford. Pricing will depend more on market area than on the printing process your printer uses.
e-mail me for specific "strategies" on getting a good price in your market.

Gip, try asking some of the printshops around your area (I don't know where in Denver you are) if they af large format digital proofers. As more printers are moving to direct to plate, the proofing has gone to digital proofing as well. I use an Epson 9000, several other shops here use Epsons as well there are a couple using HPs.

The thing to remember is most will charge by the square foot, around $12-15 per square foot. As Color Geek said, you should put a price on need. Getting a regular press run might yeil better results for about the sam e cost.

Good luck.
-Ed

Check for indoor outdoor use as well. That can effect the cost (if that is part of the job).

The printers we have at work really only print up to about 150 dpi. Nothing you notice unless up close but still holds up well for sinage.

I work for a shop that does exactly what you need - And at a fraction of the $$$ some of the other posts inferred; it would be well below $1000 usd.  There are a number of options they can do for you, to fit any budget/quality need.  And they are a true-blue Mac house

Hm, I should have been a little more specific - the file would need to be 2 sided and tri fold. Looking for 100# gloss cover and a standard 4 color line screen. I don't want inkjet at all, nope, sorry, just don't like it, even for short run.

I'll check into finding some of the larger format indigo's here locally. I know one place that has an indigo at 20" but they might know of one bigger.

Oh, zalgren, I work near Centennial Airport in Inverness but live downtown...

Last edited by Gipetto (2005-03-13 11:45 pm)

I'd have to agree - don't want digital , but don't want to pay for press?   For digital, there is a big difference if you go use Kinkos, or some little sign shop, vs. a professional production house with the latest equipment.

My guess is, you've never seen pro quality digital. 

Indigo?  Or look for a DocuColor 70  in your area.

For some jobs, inkjet just doesn't cut it. It's not a slam on the technology or the capabilities of the printer. It's just, well, offset is offset and nothing comes close to some people.

And if the client is willing to pay for it, why not get the best quality possible?

Well, since I work with both every single day, I don't think I'd be that hard pressed to notice any difference.

Like I said, the technology does some amazing things and I know what large format is capable of producing. All I'm saying is, it's not the answer for every job.

Last edited by Mr. Happypants (2005-03-14 11:01 pm)