Fuji Xerox Docuprint CM315 – printer or multifunction (review)

The review focuses on the multi-function print, copy, scan, email and fax CM315 z (printer only version is CM315dw) which are part of a new breed of DocuPrint devices.

For example, 28 pages per minutes (both colour and mono); up to 1GB memory (no more out of memory when rendering PDF or Postscript files); high duty cycle (up to 52,000 pages per month); cloud, mobility, USB, and NFC print; a Smart@Work interface; duplex scan and print, tower cabinet for multiple paper feeds; and some of the lowest print costs from high capacity toners for a device of this capability.

But above all, it can print commercial offset 2400 x 1200 DPI quality onto bond and coated stock using a CCSLED technology that gives some of the crispest lines/letters, and true blacks and colours.

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Print quality

The printer was put through its paces using 80gsm bond and a mid-weight (approx. 125gsm) coated stock. We tested forms, photos, spot colour, and advertising leaflets as well as an n-ups book mode (A4 folded to A5).

The results on bond were extremely good - even colour, no banding – as a laser should be with the coated stock adding a certain matt finish. As good as you could expect from offset printing.

The spot colour was a London metro map with dozens of colours and different line thicknesses – again very crisp and indistinguishable from the original.

A full A4 photo had a good tonal response on bond but the colours were a little more vibrant on the coated stock. It would have been great if the device had done borderless prints but such is the construction of a laser that it cannot.

Summary: faithful, true to original colours, very crisp lines and letters, and high registration.

Build

I have been a fan of Fuji Xerox printers for some time – they tend to be over engineered and well made.

This is commercial grade with a metal chassis and ABS panels. The scanner has good sized rollers. It can be kitted up to a tower with an extra bin and cabinet.

Print sources

It will accept print from AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, NFC for Android, is Mopria certified, has Wi-Di and USB print.

You can set up repetitive jobs on icons and rearrange the Smart@Work screen menu to suit.

Awards

• Winner of the “Outstanding Colour MFP for Small Workgroups” by the BLI Buyers Lab, the leading independent global document imaging product test lab
• Winner of the “Good Design Award” in Japan, an award based on excellence in function and performance, high quality and ease-of-use
• Winner “Best SOHO Colour Laser / LED MFP” in Singapore, based on print speed and connectivity

Price and availability

Officeworks has the 315 z MFP at $899 (RRP $1186.90). This is amazing value for what it provides. Printer Supermarket has it for $847 plus freight and a bonus 3-year warranty (ABN and purchased by 30 June)

If you shop around you will find a four pack of the 6000-page genuine toner (B/C/M/Y) for well under $1000. This equates to under 3 cents per page mono and under 10 cents per page colour.

Drums and the waste toner bottle cost under $55.

Summary

Well made, well priced, good print costs, does everything an SMB needs.

Specifications