How easy is the ImageMaker to use?

What can I make with the ImageMaker?

How will I save money with the ImageMaker?

Can my ImageMaker pay for itself?

How does it compare to the VariQuest Poster Maker 3600?

What supplies do I need, and how much will they cost?

How fast does it copy, and what is the print quality?

What models and accessories are there?

It’s just what we need. How do we get one?

In 1988 Varitronics introduced the original PosterPrinter®. For it’s day it was a great machine. It allowed you to create poster size copies of just about any type of original. Over the years they have improved the print quality to some extent, and added a few features. There is one limitation however. All of Varitronics’ poster printers use expensive thermal paper regardless of the better technologies available.

Even though better printing technologies have been developed over the years (including the technology that we use) Varitronics’ poster printers still use thermal paper. They briefly introduced a poster printer capable of printing with limited color in the 90's, but they were still tied to the expensive thermal imaging process and that machine was discontinued. Essentially, with their machine, you are buying a giant thermal fax printer. How many of us still use those, now that plain paper faxes are available.

The only advantage that we here at ImageWorks can see in a machine that uses thermal paper is to increase the profit margin for the supplier of the paper. We were also surprised when Varitronics reduced the number of dealers that were allowed to sell poster printers when they came out with the VariQuest Poster Maker 3600. It seems to us that reducing the dealers that can sell a product would have the effect of reducing competition and customer choice.

In fact even the design of the Poster Maker 3600 seems to discourage competition. According to fellow Varitronics watcher, Rick Kazdin, “ In every poster printer model before Varitronics’ new VariQuest Poster Maker 3600, you had a choice of shopping for your poster paper from a vendor other than just Varitronics. Not anymore. With this machine, you have only one choice. Why? Because they want you to only buy paper from Varitronics at their prices. No more paper color choices, no more competitive pricing!

The VariQuest Poster Maker 3600 is the ProImage XL 3000 model jazzed up. A few more bells and whistles with the same scanning quality and the same DPI resolution. All for a list price of about $6000.  

The big difference between this machine and all other previous models is the sensor built into the paper roll end cap.  This sensor tells the machine what color roll has been inserted and how much is left on the roll.  Neither point adds much significance to the operation of the system.   The true point is what is doesn't let the end user do;  use a Varitronics' competitor's paper roll.”

Rick sums it up well. “Remember it’s not what you pay for that printer today, it’s what you’re paying for the paper tomorrow! “