Xerox Versant 280 Review: Pros, Cons, Cost 

The Xerox Versant 280 is a mid-production press built for workgroups that need an efficient machine that can be tailored to meet their production printing needs. 

However, as we will discuss later on, the Versant 280 will not be a fit for most traditional workgroups.  

Because it is a production press, it will be an expensive purchase—which means you need to make sure it is the perfect fit for your workplace before buying. 

As a printer/copier company for almost 40 years, we know how important office printing equipment is in the workplace, and to get the right machine in place, you need access to the right information. 

That is what we will provide in this review blog. Since we are Xerox Platinum Status Partners, we have the insider knowledge you need to know to feel confident in making a purchasing decision yourself. 

But we’re not going to tell you that the Versant 280 is going to be a fit for everybody that reads this, because that is far from the truth. There are also plenty of other printer brands that sell production-level machines that might better fit your printing needs. 

Since our expertise lies in Xerox, though, we’re going to stick to what we know best. Let’s start with the Versant 280’s basic specifications, before delving into its key features accessory options, pros, cons, costs and a summary of who would and wouldn’t be a fit for the production press.  

Xerox Versant 280 Basics 

Here are some of the basics you need to know about the Xerox Versant 280, including its print speed, volume, resolution and size: 

Print Speed: Between 60-80 ppm (pages per minute) 

Recommended Monthly Print Volume: 80,000 pages per month      

Maximum Monthly Duty Cycle: Up to 750,000 pages per month 

Print Resolution 2400 x 2400 dpi (dots per inch) or 1200 x 1200 x 10 RIP depending on what option you choose 

Base Model Dimensions: Height-48”, Width- 30”, Depth, 33”   

Base Model Weight: 651 pounds   

Cost: Starting at around $1,300 per month. However, this is for a Versant 280 that is configured like the one below. The more accessories you add, the more expensive it will get. 

A look at the Versant 280 Press:    

Xerox Versant 280 Key Features 

Now that you’ve seen some basic statistics for the Versant 280 Press, let’s talk about three of the main features that come with the machine: 

Advanced Technology for Increased Productivity and Image Quality 

Arguably the preeminent feature of the Versant 280 is the advanced technology it comes with that enhances and improves image quality and overall press productivity.  

When talking about production-level prints, color is essential because many workplaces that are investing in a production press are printing specialty media, like promotional posters, that need to be visually pleasing to ensure effectiveness. 

Some of, but not all, of the technology that either comes standard or is available as an additional option on the Versant 280 include: 

• Ultra HD Resolution that comes with four times more pixels than competitive presses.  

• Integrated Registration Alignment (IRA) sensors and switches that help automate paper transport controls. 

• Closed-Loop Process Controls that can adjust for print quality in real-time. 

• Simplified Image Quality Adjustment (SIQA), which allows for automated Image-to-Media Alignment Density Uniformity and Image Transfer Adjustments. 

• Smart Decurler, which calculates coverage, paper and humidity for the flattest possible output. 

IRA and SIQAi are particularly notable features of the Versant 280 because it takes out the manual part of aligning the image to achieve proper uniformity. 

The technology that comes with the Versant 280 is partly why it was considered a PRO Award Winner for Outstanding Mid-Volume CMYK+ Production Device by BLI in 2022.  

Innovative Printer Toner Options 

Another noteworthy feature of the Versant 280 is the options you have for printer toner beyond the standard CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, key) toner set. 

While the standard CMYK set will suffice for some workgroups, you can also switch it out for one of Xerox’s advanced toner sets if you want to make your prints pop a little more. 

These include Xerox’s Adaptive CMYK+ Kit, which adds metallics, whites and fluorescent colors and extends your color palette to more than a million colors. 

You can choose one of two CMYK toner sets as a part of the Xerox Adaptive CMYK+ Kit: The Vivid Specialty Toner Set or the Fluorescent Specialty Toner Set.  

The Vivid Set includes white toner, metallic gold and silver toners and clear toner, while the Fluorescent Set includes fluorescent cyan, magenta and yellow toners. 

See the graphics below for examples of prints made with Xerox’s Adaptive CMYK+ Kit: 

Capable of Printing on Multiple Types of Media 

In addition to the various types of technology and toner options, the Versant 280 Press can also print on different types of media of varying sizes and formats. 

The Versant 280 can print on the following media types: Coated and uncoated papers, bright papers, labels, business cards, glossy brochures, window decals, durable/synthetic papers, greeting cards, embossed, tabs and special substrates like synthetics, polyesters, window clings transfer paper and magnetic stock.  

It can print at maximum sizes of 13 x 47.2” at paper weights of up to 52-400 gsm uncoated and coated.  

Accessories for Xerox Versant 280  

Let’s now shift to some of the standard and optional accessories you can add to the Versant 280: 

Standard Accessories  

Here are accessories that come standard with the Versant 280: 

• Standard capabilities include color printing, copying and scanning. 

• User interface  

• Three, 550-sheet paper trays 

• Standard Duplex Automatic Document Feeder 

Optional Accessories  

Here are the optional accessories you can include upon purchase of the Versant 280: 

• Optional capabilities include feeding, finishing, workflow and performance options. 

• Xerox EX 280 or EX-i 280 Print Server 

• Finishing Options- Binder, booklet-making, cutting, slitting, folding, finisher, folder, hole punch and stacker.  

• Xerox FreeFlow Core Accelerator for Versant, “which is a set of pre-built workflows and tools designed to leverage printer-specific capabilities and features,” according to Xerox.  

• High-Capacity Feeder- One 2,000-sheet tray (uncoated only) 

• Oversized High-Capacity Feeder- One 2,000-sheet tray (uncoated and coated) 

• Advanced Oversized High-Capacity Feeder- Two 4,000-sheet trays (uncoated and coated) 

• Dual Advanced Oversized High-Capacity Feeder- Four 8,000-sheet trays (uncoated and coated) 

• High Capacity XLS Vacuum Feeder- Two 2,800-trays (uncoated and coated) 

• Dual High Capacity XLS Vacuum Feeder- Four 7,000-sheet trays (uncoated and coated) 

• 250-sheet Xerox Inserter 

• Manual Sheet Inserter- Tray included with feeder up to 250-sheet capacity 

There are also three configurations of the Xerox Versant 280 Press you can choose from: The standard configuration, the Xerox Versant 280 with All Stocks Rated Speed (ASRS) option and the Xerox Versant 280 Press with Performance Package (PP) option. 

The ASRS option will net you 25% faster speeds on stocks of up to 400 gsm, while the PP option will add an X-Rite Inline Spectrophotometer for automated color management, twice the processing speed and additional software and hardware for increased productivity.  

Here’s a look at the Xerox Versant 280 press with additional accessories added:  

3 Pros of the Xerox Versant 280 

Now, let’s move on to the pros and cons section, starting with three of the main pros of buying the Versant 280 Press:  

1. Versatile and Designed to Configure 

The chief advantage to buying the Versant 280 lies in its versatility, with all of the different ways to tailor the machine to your business’s needs. 

These include the advanced color technology you can opt for, the number of accessories and finishers you can include and the type of model configuration you can choose. 

For a mid-production press, the Versant 280 offers you the ability to, in essence, create your ideal machine with the features you require the most. 

2. Automated Technology Increases Productivity and Image Quality 

One of the distinguishing features of the Versant 280 is the advanced technology it comes with, particularly its automated features. 

If you revert back to the first section under “Key Features” the advanced technology like IRA and SIQA help automate manual image aligning that can take up a lot of time, especially if you’re doing it every day. 

The image alignment automation helps improve productivity by giving you back the time that it would take to manually complete those tasks. 

The Versant 280’s Ultra HD Resolution is also a distinguishing feature of the production press. See the graphic below for more details: 

3. Efficient and Long-Lasting 

In addition to its versatility, the Versant 280 Press is an efficient option, printing at speeds between 60-80 pages per minute (ppm) depending on the type of configuration you choose.  

Because it’s a hefty machine, you can also expect it to serve your workplace for the long haul as long as you adhere to its recommended monthly print volume of 80,000 pages per month. 

Following the recommended print volume of a machine is crucial to making it last, as consistently overusing the machine can lead to increased service issues and potentially a breakdown of the machine altogether.  

2 Cons of the Xerox Versant 280 

Let’s flip it over and cover two of the main cons of the Versant 280 Press:  

1. Not Ideal for Small Workspaces    

The Versant 280 Press has base model dimensions of 48” x “30” x 33” and weighs over 650 pounds. Because you are likely going to add other accessories to the machine if you buy it, it will likely get much bigger, too.  

Because of its large size, it will be difficult for businesses with compacted workplaces to adequately fit the production press into their work environment.  

Some people might even have to rent out a warehouse or renovate their current location to make the machine fit. 

You will also need to make sure you have an electrical outlet that can accommodate the Versant 280’s electrical capacity. The electrical requirements for the Versant 280 are below:  

“North America: 208-240 V, 50/60 Hz, 16 amps/requires 20A circuit, NEMA 6-20-R socket” 

Space and electrical requirements are essential to consider before purchasing because having a machine that doesn’t fit in your workplace can lead to issues like overheating, which could potentially cause a fire hazard.  

2. Not a Traditional Office Printer Option    

This was stated in the introduction but deserves another mention: The Versant 280 Press is not for workgroups that need a traditional office printer. 

The Versant 280 meets very specific needs for workgroups that need to make production prints on a consistent basis. It is not a viable option for businesses or individuals who are seeking a basic multifunction (print, copy, scan and fax) or single-function (print-only) printer.    

Xerox Versant 280 Cost 

The base cost of the Xerox Versant 280 is around $1,300 a month, but as you could probably guess, this will likely change due to the accessories you can add. If you choose one of the other two configuration options (ASRS and PP), then that will increase the price, as well.  

This also doesn’t include the Fiery Print Server, which, although technically optional, will most likely be necessary to execute production features. Depending on the specifics, a Fiery Print Server can range from $5,900-$11,500.    

The Versant 280 is a mid-production press, so it’s not going to be cheap. You will likely want to lease the machine to offset some of the short-term cost of buying a production press.  

Leasing breaks up the total amount into more affordable monthly payments. For more information on leasing vs. purchasing, and general information on how much a printer can cost, read the blogs below: 

• Leasing vs. Purchasing a Copier/Printer        

• How Much Does a Copier/Printer Cost?    

Who Is the Xerox Versant 280 a Good Fit for?        

The Versant 280 is a good fit for:     

• Businesses that need a mid-level production press capable of handling a volume of over 25,000-80,000 pages per month. 

• Businesses that routinely print manuals, pamphlets, booklets and other specialty media in color.  

• Businesses that desire a production press that they can tailor to their printing needs. 

If you fall into one of these categories, then you would be a candidate for the Versant 280. However, because of the price of the machine, you would want to extensively evaluate your specific printing goals, ideally with an expert, before purchasing.      

Who Is the Xerox Versant 280 Not a Good Fit for?            

The Versant 280 is not a good fit for:      

• Businesses that don’t have adequate space to accommodate the machine’s size.    

• Businesses or individuals who need a basic multifunction printer or single-function printer.    

• Businesses that need a high-level production press capable of printing over 80,000 pages per month. 

• Businesses that don’t require printing on specialty media. 

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 best aligns with your goals.     

Think the Versant 280 Is Right for You? 

As far as mid-level production presses go, the Versant 280 is an award-winning machine that is noted for its advanced technology, efficiency and versatility. 

But if you’ve read this far, you know how expensive the Versant 280 can get, which is why it’s best to consult experts in the industry to make sure your purchase is worthwhile.  

We’ve helped clients of all kinds find the best machine for their workgroup, including a variety of businesses that needed help in getting the right production printing equipment. 

If you think the Versant 280 could be for you, request a quote for a free estimate on how much you could expect to pay for your configuration of the machine.