Take Another Look

• Incorporation of data from actual production tests and print provider experiences with the equipment.

• Analysis under generally recognized operational and management accounting standards.

The results, summarized in Table I, are surprising. While many in the industry have believed, on the basis of earlier cost comparisons, that the cost break-even points between digital and offset printing are as low as 250 units, the benchmark study showed that Xeikon printing is cost-competitive with the offset alternatives at a market-basket average of 950 units. Moreover, for single-sheet products such as A4 data sheets and postcards, the cost break-even point ranges from 1,850 to more than 3,000 units, respectively.