I just received a postcard from Konika Minolta in regards to the OnDemand Conference I am attending in April. The card is promoting the bizhub PRO C65hc – not a bad in-house printer/copier. I just would not sell on-demand printing or direct mail using this machine. Check it out…

Now, keep in mind this is a scan converted to RGB to view on the web, so its not at 100% accurate color or quality.  Here’s my review of this mailing…

Brilliant Vivid Color?

Where’s the color? As I mentioned you can not take the images above for the true color and quality, however even if you could… where is the color? There is a glimmer of bright lights away from the machine in the background, other than that its gray and so is the printer. Oh, the back has a nice blue strip across the top, however, i see a bit of banding above the text, ew. The black is a rich looking black, just a little difficult to see the disclaimer on the bottom – probably says “Do not scan and criticize this mailing”.

On demand printing?

On demand printing is the ability to produce print quickly and easily, in other words “digitally”. I can tell you this was definitely not printed offset, due to the banding, adherence of the toner, and overall quality. So, if this postcard was printed digitally (it was), why is my name and address applied with an inkjet after printing on the bizhub? That does not seem very efficient.

Rough Landing

After a correct address and great message then next important factor to a printed postcard is the ability to make it through the mail stream. Now, most things get a little rub-off or scratch when being processed by the USPS, but advancements in digital printing have imporved the adherence of ink or toner to paper along with the glossing of cards to assure a great looking result when in the hands of the recipient. Perhaps that big white scratch is actually on the printer rather than the postcard? Oops.

Whats on demand in 2009?

Good question. It’s obviously not the bizhub PRO65hc because the owners of this particular machine have it hidden under the stairs in the basement of the building!

I dont mean to dump on Konica Minolta and the bizhub. I have actually seen this machine and played with it in person, it great for in-house printing – not commercial mailing. I am a printer and have done many postcard campaigns, so I LOVE getting these things in the mail. This made my day.

Here’s Printed Proof that you should put thought into what you are selling, your design, and leave printing to the professionals… not the little “affordable” in-house printers.