Xerox iGen

Xerox iGen. The Xerox iGen is a series of high-speed, high-volume digital production presses developed and manufactured by Xerox. Introduced in the year 2000, it represented a significant technological leap in digital color printing, competing directly with traditional offset printing for short-run commercial applications. The platform is renowned for its consistent print quality, robust paper handling, and advanced automation features, making it a cornerstone of the print on demand and variable data printing markets.

Overview

The iGen platform was conceived as a flagship product to solidify Xerox's leadership in the production printing segment, bridging the gap between conventional laser printing and industrial web presses. It found rapid adoption in commercial print shops, in-plant printing facilities, and major publishing houses seeking agility. Key to its value proposition was enabling economical short runs, personalized marketing materials, and rapid turnaround times that were impractical for lithography.

Technology and features

At the core of the iGen's technology is an advanced electrophotography process utilizing a unique intermediate transfer belt design, which contributes to superior image uniformity and registration. The system employs proprietary EA Toner (Emulsion Aggregation Toner), with particles finer than those used in conventional laser printers, for enhanced color gamut and gloss uniformity. Advanced closed-loop color calibration systems, such as Xerox Intelligent Color, automatically adjust for substrate and environmental conditions. Other hallmark features include sophisticated paper handling systems capable of a wide range of stocks, integrated spectrophotometers, and robust front-end controller software like FreeFlow or Fiery servers.

Models and specifications

The product line has evolved through several distinct generations, each offering increased speed, enhanced quality, and greater automation. The original iGen3, launched at DRUPA in 2000, offered 6000 sheets per hour in color. This was followed by the iGen4, which introduced improved image quality and the Expanded Gamut Color capability. The iGen5, unveiled in 2012, increased speed to 7200 sheets per hour and featured the Xerox Automated Color Quality Suite. The final evolution, the iGen 5 Press, offered peak speeds and introduced the Xerox ConnectKey interface for workflow integration. Key specifications across models consistently included high monthly duty cycles, support for sheet sizes up to 14.33x22.5 inches, and resolutions of 600x600 or 600x4800 dpi.

Market impact and applications

The iGen series profoundly disrupted the graphic arts industry, enabling the economic viability of applications like photobooks, direct mail campaigns with variable data, and short-run trade books. It became a workhorse for transactional printing and statement printing for major financial services firms. The press allowed printers to compete effectively with offset printing for run lengths under a few thousand copies, fueling the growth of the print on demand business model championed by companies like Amazon through its CreateSpace and KDP platforms. Its reliability made it a fixture in the operations of major service providers like Cenveo, RR Donnelley, and Quad/Graphics.

History and development

Development of the iGen platform, initially codenamed "Eureka," was a massive R&D undertaking for Xerox, reportedly involving an investment of nearly one billion dollars. Its official debut was a major event at the DRUPA 2000 printing exposition in Düsseldorf, Germany. The technology originated from research at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) and was engineered for manufacturing in Webster, New York. Subsequent generations were launched at major industry events like GRAPH EXPO and PRINT. The platform's development and marketing were closely tied to the leadership of Xerox executives like Anne Mulcahy and Ursula Burns. While no new iGen models have been released in recent years, the installed base remains significant, supported by Xerox Global Services. Category:Digital printing Category:Xerox Category:Printing equipment