I especially want to thank the kind people who took the time to reply to
my query about the poster maker.
Most people are very happy with the Varitronics machine, but two people
think that a printer would be a better purchase. We have used the
Varitronics for over a week and really like it. It is very simple to
use, but we haven't made a decision yet. Good luck. Some of the
replies are listed below.
George Anne Draper, librarian
Wynne High School, Wynne, AR
gdraper@wynne.k12.ar.us
1.Our ASB purchased one and it was great fun until we ran out of
supplies. We can't afford to keep it running, so there it sits.
2.Our PTO president and principal thought we "must" have this. Our
principal keeps it in his office and the principal has made all the
posters. We've used it 6 times this year..the last two times our
principal wrote a "Thanks Teachers" note on it.
I used it for two posters for the library. The principal made the
posters. We also enlarged two pictures of our building that were taken
50 years ago for our "golden" anniversary. Of course they were in
purple and white-you can choose the colors but they are only one color
plus white.
In my opinion, it works fine, but we don't use it. It has been an
expensive toy for our building.
3.I don't have the machine but I would advise you to have only one or
two
people who are authorized to use the machine. We only allow library
staff to operate our laminator and the first one that we had lasted
almost 17 years before it had to be laid to rest. The one time a
teacher used it during the summer without our knowledge the repair
bill
was over $250 (in 1995 dollars).
4.Our school does own a PosterPrinter. Many of our staff find it
useful individually for their classrooms, and it has been used for
schoolwide projects regularly throughout the year. Any of our staff are
welcome to use it. We have directions posted on the machine which is
housed in the media center. Usually, staff need to be shown how to use
it once. It doesn't take long to do, and it is easy to use.
It is relatively trouble free. The ink is "in" the paper, so you don't
have to buy ink cartridges of any sort. Users are limited to one color
posters (green, red, blue, etc.), but that has not been a problem for
most. From time to time, someone thinks it will print multiple colors
on one poster. Staff does need to be aware that they should maximize
space on the master copies they make on copy paper before making posters
on the PosterPrinter in order to ensure that the visuals/text on the
poster are as large as possible in the end. Small print is still
relatively small even after being "blown up." Teachers also need to
understand that TTP paper CAN be heat laminated. DTP cannot be heat
laminated, only cold laminated. (This applies to the PosterPrinter
brand we use.)
We do not raise money with items made with the PosterPrinter. Our
principal allocates funds to buy the supplies. I will say, though, that
now a number of other schools in our district are requesting posters be
made for them. This is starting to become something we need to make a
policy about because the supplies are expensive. Below, I have listed
for you the current pricing for an average-sized poster. If teachers
wish to make personal posters or if other schools request posters, we
will likely soon have a policy in place requesting payment based on the
figures below.
As of 5/16/07 . . .
CURRENT POSTER PRICING
**Based on 23"x 31" poster**
TTP Paper (can be heat laminated)
$129.95 per roll for 85' of paper
averages 30-32 posters
$4.06 per poster
DTP Paper (can only be cold laminated)
$89.95 per roll for 100' of paper
averages 36-38 posters
$2.37 per poster
Cold Laminate
$249.95 per set for 300' of laminate
covers an average of 116 posters
$2.15 to laminate one poster
5.I would look at a large inkjet printer instead not anymore expensive
all colors possible. Supplies same or cheaper
you don't say what brand you're previewing. We have a Varitronics Pro
Image Plus. It was purchased for us by our PTSA. The teachers make
their own posters. I request the paper (colors also) from the Office.
It comes out of the school supplies budget. Are you purchasing the cold
laminator also? That is what gets expensive. There are 2 kinds of
of poster paper. One kind only goes through the cold laminator. The
other kind goes through both hot and cold laminators, but is more
expensive. More than $100 per roll. The cold laminator is a plus.
Most teachers are making posters that have rules, schedules, etc. that
they can hang all year and to be laminated is nice. But it costs
$245.95 from our purchasing consortium to buy a cartridge (top and
bottom rolls 300 ft. in length).
Desktop Cold Laminator $1,031.30
Poster Printer Varitronics - $4,995.00
Computer Interface - $700.00 can be used with a computer and to make a
loooooong Poster from a roll.
We have it. Never been used.
Transfer Plus Paper - hot or cold laminator - $129.95.
STandard Thermal Paper - cold laminator only $89.95.
We have listened to a presentation about some of the "cutsie" things
that could be done. We decided against it. I don't do this for
teachers. I will walk them through it. Or maybe print if they are
running late.
We have 1000 Jr. High Students and about 50 plus teachers.
I forgot. Both machines are trouble free. The printer can start to
make lines down the middle. I have called the company and they have
walked me through how to clean rollers, etc. They don't require service
or repair. We have had ours for at least 6 years.
The cold laminator is heavy and will require a sturdy desk and some
space to work. The laminated materials come out the back, so it needs
to be place either perpendicular to the wall or at least a ways from it.
6.As I said before we had the Varitronics Poster maker for about 15
years. We up graded three different models during that time period. It
was a good machine but had limits with only two colors. Paper was
expensive if you wanted to laminate a poster.
I was looking to up grade three years ago and after talking with my
sales rep. He convinced me to change over to an ink jet Poster printer.
We have not regretted that move. It prints in full color on paper and
photo paper. It reproduces any photos or computer graphics we send to
it.
Our faculty and student love the results and keep us busy producing
posters and banners all the time. ( I have done as many as 20 posters a
day).
We charge our students for the cost of materials only. A 24X30" poster
is $5.00 and a 36X48" is $8.00. Banners are $3.00 per foot in length.
This covers the cost of paper and ink. If the poster need lamination
there is an extra charge.
The cost to have this done outside is four times greater.
We require that all posters and banners design be done by the patron in
Illustrator, Publisher, PowerPoint or Photoshop and are sent by E-Mail
or on a storage device. We do not get involved in the design or
creativity of the poster. This could consume hours of your time. We
also ask for four days of lead time to print out the job. This avoids
the last minute rush jobs.
We averaged between 250 to 300 posters per year over the last two
years.
Hope this was helpful
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