What’s the difference between the Xerox PrimeLink C9200 Series Digital Colour Press and the Xerox Versant 280.

How does the Xerox PrimeLink Colour C9281 compare to the Xerox Versant 280?

That’s a question that I’m sure must be on many people’s minds, well maybe not everyone’s mind, but certainly someone who is interested in buying a digital press.

You can go directly to our shop and buy a Xerox PrimeLink or Versant Press.

Xerox PrimeLink C9265

Xerox PrimeLink C9275

Xerox PrimeLink C9281

Xerox Versant 280

Customers ask us why should they buy a Xerox PrimeLink C9281 over a Xerox Versant 280?

On the face of it you might just think that they are pretty much the same. After all, they both print as fast as 80+ pages per minute, they both require Fiery controllers as mandatory, they both have a wide range of options including full trim capable booklet makers, High-Capacity Feeders etc.

Although the C9281 and the Versant 280 are the closest matched, this guide is also helpful if you’re looking for a Xerox PrimeLink C9265 or C9275.

You will probably also want to know the price and how much the Xerox PrimeLink and Xerox Versant presses cost, as well as the price difference between them. We’ll tell you how much a PrimeLink costs vs a Versant 280 of a similar spec.

You’ll also want to know the service costs for each model, as these will have a greater impact on your profitability, especially if you are in the print for pay business.

Price is all well and good, but which one is right for you? Hopefully if we’ve done our job properly, by the time you get to the end of this article, you’ll also know which is the right Xerox press for you.

First off, we’ll compare the features and specifications, a head-to-head if you like. Feeds and speeds, as we say in the trade. Then we’ll get into the type of work that each press is good at and the key differentiators.

Buckle up as this is a full in-depth review and comparison that you’ll not find elsewhere on the internet.

Basic Specifications

Print Speeds

Xerox PrimeLink C9265 – 65 pages per minute colour

Xerox PrimeLink C9275 – 75 pages per minute colour

Xerox PrimeLink C9281 – 81 pages per minute colour

Versant 280 – 80 pages per minute

Monthly Print Capability

PrimeLink C9200  – 60,000 per month

Versant 280 – 150,000 per month

Fiery Hardware and software differences

All Versant presses are reliant upon EFI Fiery servers to drive them, whereas you can have a PrimeLink C9265 and C9275 without a Fiery. A Fiery controller is mandatory on the PrimeLink C9281 though.

You can choose between an internal or external Fiery on both the PrimeLink and Versant models. On the both the Versant 280 and PrimeLink C9200 Series, the internal and external Fiery’s all run on the latest FS600 platform.

Both the PrimeLink and Versant External Fiery’s come with Impose as standard. It is an optional extra on the internal Fiery’s.

Feeding options

The PrimeLink and Versant Presses have an array of optional paper feeding and Hi-Capacity Feeders. The table below shows the options available for each model.

Feeding Capabilities

Both the PrimeLink C92XX Series and Versant 280 will handle up to 400GSM media.

The PrimeLink can print on to Banner or Extra Long Sheets (XLS) up to 1,300MM long and 220GSM weight.

Versant models can print on to Extra Long Sheets (XLS) up to 660MM as standard.

One of the big differentiators between the PrimeLink C9200 series and the Versant 280 is the optional Vacuum Feeder Kit, this puts the Versant in to serious production territory.

With the vacuum feed  kit the Versant 280 can print on to even longer Sheets up to 1.2M long and can even duplex on to XLS sheets.

Also, for those in to serious production use, the High Capacity Feeders on the Versant 280 benefit from Vacuum feeding, whereas the PrimeLink feeders are friction fed.

Finishing options

There are lots of finishing options on both the PrimeLink and Versant Presses, all of which are listed below.

Finishing Capability

The Versant will print on Envelopes down to as small as 98MM X 148MM. The PrimeLink goes one step further and prints on to A7 size envelopes (74MM x 105MM).

The PrimeLink also uses an advanced HD Emulsion Aggregate Toner found on the Xerox Iridesse.

The PrimeLink has cutting-edge registration technology for tight control with a tolerance of +/- 0.5mm. The Versant isn’t quite as good, with a tolerance of +/- 1.0mm.

The Versant 280 really shows its production capabilities again as it can accommodate third party finishing from manufacturers such as Plockmatic and Duplo. Third party finishing is not available on the PrimeLink C9200 Series.

Workflow and Productivity

Both the PrimeLink and Versant series come with Simple Image Quality Adjustment (SIQA) tool. This is a Semi-automated adjustment that simplifies registration and image quality.

On the Versant 280 series there is an All Stocks Rated Speed (ASRS) option. This includes an upgraded de-curler module to increase the throughput speed on heavy stocks to deliver the full rated 80PPM on stocks up to 400GSM

For the ultimate in production performance the Versant 280 has an optional Performance Package. The Performance Package comes with an upgraded de-curler module and X-Rite In-Line Spectrophotometer (ILS). The Performance Package also includes Fiery’s Color Profiler Suite, working alongside the ILS-driven Automated Color Quality Suite.

Like the basic Versant 280, the PrimeLink will slow down according to the type and weight of the media being used.

Both the PrimeLink and Versant Presses can benefit from the use of an optional Fiery ES-3000 Spectrophotometer when combined with the Fiery Colour Profiler Suite. The Versant 280 with the Performance Pack comes with this as standard as well as an inline Spectrophotometer for automated quality control.

The PrimeLink can benefit from Apps available through the Xerox App Gallery.

Operator Productivity

Xerox boasts more Customer Replaceable Units (CRU) than any other manufacturer. Meaning that your press can keep running, without the need for an engineer to attend. For example, the fuser is a customer replaceable item on both the Versant and PrimeLink.

Compared to the PrimeLink, the Versant 280 has more many more automation and workflow tools that assists busy operators in production environments. In fact there are so many that the subject deserves to be covered in a separate blog; watch this space.

Adaptive Colours

The Versant 280 Series has the option of being fitted with the Adaptive CMYK+ kit featuring Specialty Inks in Gold, Silver, White, Clear, and far-out Fluorescents.

The Adaptive CMYK kit option was available on the previous PrimeLink C90XX Series but it isn’t currently available on the new PrimeLink C92XX Series. Xerox have not stated whether it will, or won’t be available in the future.

Screen Features

The PrimeLink C9200 Series has a Large LED Capacitive Touch Screen, and a built in Proximity Wakeup sensor. The PrimeLink screen can also be accessed remotely. By comparison, the Versant does use a rather old-fashioned LCD screen, with no wake up sensor or remote access.

Versant and PrimeLink Comparison Prices

Please note that these are the official RRP’s and may not reflect the price you may be offered, after taking into account discounts and promotional offers. The idea is to set a comparison benchmark. Please contact us for competitive  pricing and leasing options.

Basic Configuration

A basic PrimeLink C9281 with Offset Catch Tray and Internal Fiery has a recommended retail price of £46,003.33 +VAT

A Versant 280 with the same configuration costs £48,398.39.

Mid-level configuration

When we configured each machine with an External Fiery, the result was something we didn’t expect.

PrimeLink C9281 with Dual Hi-Cap Feeders, Pro-Booklet maker and External Fiery costs £73,017.12

A Versant 280 with the same configuration actually costs £304.09 less at £72,713.03 +VAT

Pricing Conclusion

At its most basic level a Versant 280 will cost you just over 5% more than a PrimeLink C9281.

We scratched our heads as to why a mid-level configuration PrimeLink costs more than a Versant 280, so we looked into the itemised cost.

An external Fiery (Product code 097N02475) for a Versant 280 costs £17,677.51, whereas an external Fiery (Product Code 097N02497) for a PrimeLink C9281 costs £19148.72 – an extra £1,471.21.

The PrimeLink External Fiery comes with Compose, whereas this is an optional extra on the Versant 280 External Fiery, costing £3281.55. If you specified the Versant 280 with Impose, then it would cost £2,977.46 (4%) More than a PrimeLink C9281.

To conclude, on a like for like basis, a Versant 280 will cost you around 5% more than a PrimeLink C9281.

 Service costs

Prices for an all-inclusive cost per print vary according to the level of print throughput you are willing to commit to.

Typical Service prices for the PrimeLink average at around £0.027 – £0.029 per colour print.

Typical Service Prices for the Versant also average at around £0.027 – £0.029 per colour print.

Conclusion

There are many similarities between the PrimeLink C9281 and Versant 280 presses, in fact we’d say there are more similarities than there are differences, especially at the entry level.

Whether your budget is at the entry-level or much higher, we would choose the PrimeLink if you have a walk-in type of copy shop, or if you are an in-house marketing team or graphic designer.

In our opinion, the PrimeLink is more versatile for a wider range of users and is particularly well suited to a corporate environment. It can bridge the needs of casual office users as well as simultaneously cater for high-level design requirements.

If you are more of a jobbing printer or running traditional high volume print jobs in a busy print shop, we would go for the Versant 280. It suits higher volumes and has the ability to increase performance with the options and add-ons not available on the PrimeLink C9281.

About the Author – Grant Wassell

For several decades Grant has been a recognised industry expert and authority in the field of copying, print and technology for business users.

Grant founded Scriptum Document Solutions and is passionate about helping businesses make reliable informed decisions on their deployment of office technology, especially multi-function print devices.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/grantwassell/