Searching for an expensive, production-style printer, like the Xerox PrimeLink C9070, can be a daunting task.
Production printers are not your typical office printer; they are much more advanced, and subsequently, more pricey.
That means you have to know exactly which one is right for you before purchasing. Since production printers can cost anywhere from $15,000-$100,000, it’s imperative that you get the one that is best for your situation.
As a local print vendor that deals with all sorts of clients with unique printing needs, we’ve learned a thing or two about what it takes to make the perfect printer purchase for your workplace.
And because we sell Xerox products, we have the insider’s information on their product catalog and can rightfully give you that knowledge, so you’re equipped with what you need to make an informed decision.
Today, we’ll be taking a look at the Xerox PrimeLink C9070, which is an entry-level production printer that is unique because of its ability to serve offices that need to make production-level prints but don’t necessarily need an industrial-level production machine.
However, the PrimeLink C9070 will meet the needs of very specific workgroups, which means it won’t be a fit for you if you don’t require the ability to make production prints in color, like booklets, manuals or pamphlets.
Furthermore, there are plenty of printer brands that sell production printers that may better meet your needs, and our goal with this article is to give you objective and accurate information so you can make the decision yourself on whether this machine is right for you.
With that out of the way, let’s get into the review, which will go over the PrimeLink C9070’s basic specifications, features, accessories and pros and cons before summarizing who would and wouldn’t be a fit for the machine.
Interested in the Xerox PrimeLink C9070? Request a Quote for a free estimation of what you could expect to pay for this machine.
Xerox PrimeLink C9070 Basics
Here are some general statistics and information for the PrimeLink C9070 to help you get a feel for print speed, volume, resolution and cost:
Print Speed: Up to 70 ppm (pages per minute) in color, 75 ppm in black-and-white
Auto Duplex Speed: Up to 70 ppm two-sided in color, up to 75 ppm two-sided in black-and-white
Recommended Average Monthly Print Volume: 10,000 to 50,000 pages per month
Monthly Duty Cycle: Up to 300,000 pages
Print Resolution 2400 x 2400 dpi (dots per inch)
Base Model Dimensions: Height-54.8 in, Width- 46 in, Depth, 31.6 in
Base Model Weight: 563 pounds
Cost: Starting at around $17,690
A look at the PrimeLink C9070:
Xerox PrimeLink C9070 Key Features
Now, let’s look at some of the key features that come with the PrimeLink C9070 production multifunction printer.
Image Quality Enhancements
The PrimeLink C9070 can be equipped with EFI servers (Fiery Print Servers) that are embedded with Pantone technologies such as Pantone Goe and Pantone Plus, which ensure that you get the colors you desire for whatever project you’re conducting.
According to Color Guides, Pantone Goe is “used to select, specify and communicate 2,058 new solid colors” and are arranged chromatically with an intuitive number system so that “colors are printed with their RGB values and ink mixing formulas for accurate simulation and reproduction.”
Pantone Plus is an extension of the popular Pantone Matching System that preserves all the solid colors of the Pantone Matching System but adds other colors and tools to help further augment the feature.
In addition to the embedded Pantone technologies, the PrimeLink C9070 includes Xerox’s Emulsion Aggregation toner with ultra-low melt technology, which helps sharpen the image quality of prints and improves fine lines and texts.
Media Latitude and Print Finishing Options
The PrimeLink C9070 also comes with the capability to print on specialty and heavyweight stocks up to 350 grams per square meter (gsm).
You can print up to 26-inch banners, book jackets, calendars and other applications with the Extra Long Sheet capability feature.
There’s also a range of print finishing options, including full-bled trimmed booklets and punch, crease and fold, as well as additional finishing options, including Xerox’s Production-Ready Finisher, that can be added upon purchase of the machine.
Touchscreen Interface and App Gallery
The Xerox PrimeLink C9070 contains a customizable user interface that allows you to complete printing tasks simply and effectively.
The printer also allows you to tailor the user interface to your business’s goals by choosing from the numerous applications on Xerox’s App Gallery. A few examples include:
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Amazon WorkDocs, which is a cloud storage and sharing service with administrative controls and feedback capabilities that improve user productivity. The price is per device, and is $100 for one year, $190 for two years and $270 for three years.
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Connect for DocuSign, which is an application that can aid daily business interactions by eliminating approval bottlenecks and keeping essential agreements moving forward quickly and efficiently. The price of the app is $14 a month, $149 a year or $315 for three years, and there is a 30-day free trial available. You must have a DocuSign account to access the app.
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Email Connect, a free application that lets you scan to your email address by choosing your email provider, putting in your email address and then pressing save.
The Xerox App Gallery contains several industry-based and general applications that can aid in office productivity. For more information on the different kinds of apps, read the following blogs:
Accessories for Xerox PrimeLink C9070
The PrimeLink C9070 includes multiple configuration options that will allow you to customize and upgrade your machine in ways that best optimize your business needs. Some of the options include:
Standard Printer Accessories
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Five Internal Trays
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User Interface
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Integrated Scanner
Optional Printer Accessories
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Two-Tray Oversized High-Capacity Feeder
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Extra Long Sheet Capability
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One-Tray Xerox High-Capacity Feeder
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One-Tray Oversized High-Capacity Feeder
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One-Tray Oversized High-Capacity Feeder with Storage Cabinet
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Xerox Interface Deculer Module
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Xerox Inserter
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Offset Catch Tray
Finishing Options
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GBC AdvancedPunch Pro
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Xerox Crease and Two-sided Trimmer
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Xerox C/Z Folder
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Xerox Production Ready Finisher
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Xerox Production Ready Finisher Plus
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Xerox Production Ready Finisher Booklet Maker
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Xerox SquareFold Trimmer Module
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Xerox Business Ready Finisher
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Xerox Business Ready Booklet Maker Finisher
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Xerox Basic Punch
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Plockmatic Pro 50/35 Booklet Maker
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Convenience Stapler
Before purchasing any additional accessories for your machine, it’s best to go over all your printing goals with a print vendor, to make sure the upgrades are a worthwhile purchase for your business.
Here’s a look at the PrimeLink C9070 with some of the optional upgrades (via Absolute Toner):
3 Pros of the Xerox PrimeLink C9070
To get a better feel for what you’re getting with the PrimeLink C9070, let’s look at some of the main pros associated with the device.
1. All-In-One Printing Solution
The PrimeLink C9070 is a production color multifunction printer, which means it can print, copy, fax and scan in both color and black-and-white. The printer also has further scan capabilities like Scan to PC, USB or Email and allows for mobile printing for authorized devices.
To learn more about multifunction printers, read these blogs:
2. Pristine Resolution and Advanced Color Technology
With a print resolution of 2400 x 2400 dpi, the PrimeLink C9070 can produce quality production prints with fine-line detail and smooth color transitions at speeds of up to 75 ppm.
The printer also comes with the new, optional, Xerox’s Adaptive CMYK Plus Technology, which includes Xerox’s Vivid Toner Kit (allows for gold, silver, white and clear colors) and Xerox’s Fluorescent Toner Kit, which adds impact with fluorescent cyan, magenta and yellow.
Examples of a print using Xerox’s Vivid Toner Kit:
3. Stringent Security Measures
The PrimeLink C9070 comes with strict security features that, according to Xerox’s website, include:
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Multiple layers of security, from data encryption, access controls, disk overwrite and industry certifications.
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Audit Log, which ensures an audit trail of operators’ key events.
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Secure Print and Secure Scanning, which helps protect document security for the print and scanning functions.
Read our blog about Xerox’s approach to cybersecurity to learn more about the company’s security initiatives.
2 Cons of the Xerox PrimeLink C9070
Now that we’ve covered some of the pros of the PrimeLink C9070, let’s go over some of the cons that you need to consider before making a final purchasing decision:
1. Not Ideal for Small Workspaces
The PrimeLink C9070 is a large machine (54.8” x 46” x 31.6”) and because of all the upgrade options, can get much bigger and heavier as more accessories are added to it.
Because of its size, it would be difficult for businesses with compacted workplaces to adequately fit the printer into their workspace.
You will also need to make sure you have an electrical outlet that can accommodate the PrimeLink C9070’s electrical capacity. The PrimeLink C9070’s electrical requirements are below:
Voltage: 110-127 VAC +/- 10%
Frequency: 50/60 Hz +/- 3%, 20 A
Read our blog on a printer’s space and electrical requirements to learn more.
2. Not a Traditional Printer Option
The PrimeLink C9070 is a production printer, which means it’s primarily for larger modern office workgroups and in-plant print shops.
The PrimeLink C9070 fits very specific needs and would not be a viable option for businesses or individuals who are seeking a basic multifunction or single-function printer.
Xerox PrimeLink C9070 Cost
The base cost of the PrimeLink C9070 is around $17,690 and can vary depending on the finisher option you choose, which is required as part of the purchase of this production printer.
This also doesn’t include the Fiery Print Server, which will most likely be necessary to execute production features. Depending on the specifics, a Fiery Print Server can range from $5,900-$11,500.
Any additional accessories or upgrades you want will also add to the total cost of the printer.
Buying a production printer is a big investment that should not be taken lightly. That being said, the PrimeLink C9070 is built as an entry-level production printer and is affordable relative to other, more advanced options, such as the Xerox Iridesse Production Press.
Some vendors may offer trade-ins and there’s also the option to lease your printer, which will break the total amount into more affordable monthly payments. For more printer cost information, read these blogs:
Who Is the Xerox PrimeLink C9070 a Good Fit for?
The PrimeLink C9070 is a good fit for:
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Businesses who are interested in an entry-level production-style printer.
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Businesses that routinely print manuals, pamphlets and other special color and black-and-white prints.
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Businesses who require print finishing options such as binder, booklet making, cutting, slitting, folding, hole punch and stapler, among others.
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Businesses that need advanced color printing options.
If you fall into one of these categories, then you would be a candidate for the PrimeLink C9070. However, because of the price of the machine, you would want to extensively evaluate your specific printing goals with a business consultant before purchasing.
Who Is the Xerox PrimeLink C9070 Not a Good Fit for?
The PrimeLink C9070 is not a good fit for:
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Businesses that don’t have adequate space to accommodate the machine’s size.
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Businesses or individuals who need a basic multifunction printer or single-function printer.
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Businesses that don’t require the ability to make special prints, such as booklets and manuals.
If you fall into one of these categories, then this is not the model for you. Read our blog on how to choose a printer for your budget and business needs to help with choosing the model that most aligns with your goals.
Xerox PrimeLink C9065 vs. Xerox PrimeLink C9070
The PrimeLink C9070 does have a less advanced model in the same series called the PrimeLink C9065.
While they contain many of the same features, the C9070 model has faster print speeds in both the color and black-and-white categories (by five ppm), while also containing faster auto duplex print speeds in each category (by two ppm). It also has a higher duty cycle, which means it can withstand more volume.
Because the PrimeLink C9070 is slightly more efficient, it will also be slightly more expensive. Currently, the base price of the PrimeLink C9070 is around $17,690, which is about $1,500 more than the PrimeLink C9065 base cost ($16,183).
Read our review of the PrimeLink C9065 to learn more about the other machine in the Series.
Think the Xerox PrimeLink C9070 Is Right for You?
The PrimeLink C9070 is a quality option for those who need an entry-level production printer with color image enhancements and multiple configuration options that allows you to make production prints.
It should be restated, however, that production-style printers meet very specific printing needs. If you’re looking for a basic multifunction or single-function printer, then the PrimeLink C9070 would not be a good fit for you.
We’ve been in the printer/copier industry for over 35 years, and during that time, have gained the knowledge and acquired the mindset to offer you an honest evaluation of your print environment.
Our goal is to make printing matters the least of your worries by giving you the solution you need to make your document processes smooth and efficient.
If you’re interested in the PrimeLink C9070 or need help finding the right model for you, reach out to us and one of our team of experts will get back to you shortly.
