Best low-cost laser printer for envelopes

[nrwayne]

I need a monochrome laser printer that will be used almost exclusively
for print runs of 5,000 letterheads and 5,000 envelopes a few times a
year. I've had recommendations for the Samsung ML 2250 and the Brother
HL 5140. I'd like comments on the following:

1. Paper handling, primarily for envelopes
2. Paper capacity, i.e., how often I'll need to refill the paper tray
3. How often toner will have to be replaced and how much it will cost

The speed difference isn't terribly important since both of these will
probably crank out 20ppm, which is far more acceptable than my inkjet,
which does about 4 ppm and needs regular ink refills.
All suggestions greatly appreciated.

 

[absolete]

I need a monochrome laser printer that will be used almost exclusively
for print runs of 5,000 letterheads and 5,000 envelopes a few times a
year. I've had recommendations for the Samsung ML 2250 and the Brother
HL 5140. I'd like comments on the following:

1. Paper handling, primarily for envelopes
2. Paper capacity, i.e., how often I'll need to refill the paper tray
3. How often toner will have to be replaced and how much it will cost

The speed difference isn't terribly important since both of these will
probably crank out 20ppm, which is far more acceptable than my inkjet,
which does about 4 ppm and needs regular ink refills.
All suggestions greatly appreciated.

Hi, nrwa!

If you are doing any kind of mailings of that volume, I'd encourage you
to seek the help of a professional mail-house. It becomes so much more
cost-effective and stress-free to rely on someone who does this for a
living! If you are mailing these, the mail houses may be able to take
advantage of bulk-mailing rates which may pay for the mail-house's
fees, etc etc etc. One such mail-house I can recommend is Log-On
Computer & Mailing Svc. (212) 279-4567
They are located in NYC, and will easily deal with CT clients. I can
also vouch for acuracy of data/laserprinting process, since I am the
technology and data department manager with this company. If you should
have questions, I welcome you to call me at the above number - ext. 515
Regards
Max Proskoff

 

[Bennett Price]

Perhaps you've already considered using envelopes with clear openings
where an address on the letterhead could peek through.

 

[Dan G]

Consumer based printers that handle large volumes of envelopes are rare
indeed. Window envelopes make a lot more sense, then you can get any laser
printer you like. I use a Canon laser fax for printing documents, works
great and runs cheap.

 

[Kevin]

It has been my experience that there is no laser printer, for personal use,
that can handle multiple envelope feeds. They may indicate that you can
load several envelopes at a time, but I haven't seen any that can actually
feed and print those multiple envelopes. You have to feed them one at a
time. Not a ton of fun if you have to do that 5000 times! I have a Samsung
ML -1430 and it prints envelopes just fine, if you only print one at a time.
It prints reams of paper flawlessly and fast. I think it holds about 250
pages. The newer models can hold considerably more paper and some even have
additional paper magazines.

As far as cartridge costs, just look up the price on Best Buy, Buy.Com or
the Office Depot or Staples websites.

 

[usenet]

I need a monochrome laser printer that will be used almost exclusively
for print runs of 5,000 letterheads and 5,000 envelopes a few times a
year. I've had recommendations for the Samsung ML 2250 and the Brother
HL 5140. I'd like comments on the following:

1. Paper handling, primarily for envelopes
2. Paper capacity, i.e., how often I'll need to refill the paper tray
3. How often toner will have to be replaced and how much it will cost

Surely, in answer to point 3, the cost of printing even 5000
envelopes will be tiny. Most laser cartridges are sized to print
around 5000 full sheets (A4 or letter) at 5% coverage, that would be a
heck of a lot of envelopes and letterheads.

 

[nrwayne]

Many thanks for the responses posted. One of the postings apparently
was in error, something about a lettershop. This inquiry was about
comparing laser printers for envelopes. In any case, the answer is the
Brother 5150D, which has a tray that holds a few dozen envelopes. The
Samsung holds no more than 10. Although 5,000 envelopes may sound
daunting, I just completed a run of 600 using an inkjet printer that
had to be fed no more than eight at a time and printed about that many
a minute. The major problem with printing envelopes with this laser is
the need to refill the tray many, many times. But the pain of doing so
only a couple of times a year is more than offset by the savings
involved. Plus, the letterheads themselves will be relatively easy and
quick.

To handle a quantity of this size on a regular basis or a far larger
quantity, I am sure one would have to pay up many times the cost of the
Brother ($238 delivered) to get a laser printer capable of doing the
job. For this job, the Brother offers the best combination.

The clear envelope would be unsatisfactory. Our mailings must look
exactly like personal correspondence. Which is why we use standard #10
envelopes with addresses that are fully spelled out (no abbreviations.)
Tedious, but very productive.

 

[Dewaine Chan]

Used HP Laserjet 4 Plus or Laserjet 5 with envelop Feeder will work great.
These two are the best Laserjet printers ever made by HP in my opinion.

Dewaine