Review: UniNet iColor 700 versus UniNet iColor 900 Color Label Press

UniNet iColor 700 color label printer
UniNet iColor 700 color label printer
UniNet iColor 900 color label printer
UniNet iColor 900 color label printer

The UniNet iColor 700 and iColor 900 both have valuable features that make them outstanding label printers. Both make use of Single Pass 4 Color LED technology and both produce high-resolution output at 1200 x 600 dpi. The printing speed is identical on both: 30 feet (9.14 meters) per minute.

For anyone considering the choice between the UniNet iColor 700 and iColor 900, here are the primary differences.

Of the two, the iColor 900 provides higher output by using wider label media. It can accept label stock of 12.9 inches or roughly 330 millimeter. The iColor 700’s maximum width is 8.5 inches or 215 millimeter. The wider label handling capacity of the iColor 900 offers a 35 percent increase in output.

White Toner Option

Both iColor printers come with an optional white toner kits. The iColor 700 white toner kit and iColor 900 white toner kit, when purchased allow you to print white on clear labels or black labels.

The UniNet iColor 900 offers the ability to handle a roll diameter 33 percent greater than the iColor 700. This translates to a 12 inch (305 mm) outside diameter compared to 8 inches (203 mm). The wider width and diameter of the iColor 900 therefore reduces the manual aspects of print jobs by requiring less user-intervention to replace rolls.

The larger physical footprint of the UniNet iColor 900 means that its toner and drum cartridges are also larger, therefore capable of larger print jobs before requiring a change or service. The difference in this aspect closely match the differences in roll width and diameter. The iColor 700’s toner rating of 11,500 pages, compared to 16,500 for the iColor 900, translates to about 30 percent more for the iColor 900. Both models drum capacity features a ratio of roughly 3:1. The iColor 700 drum is rated at 30,000 pages versus 42,000 for the iColor 900. Of course, toner and drum capacity figures are based on a five percent coverage level, a typical assumption for toner-based laser printers of all types. The actual number of pages at higher densities decreases, while lighter densities offer extended toner and drum cartridge life.

The decision between the UniNet iColor 700 and iColor 900 ultimately comes down to the consideration between the costs of acquisition compared to the costs of usage. The labor and consumable savings obtained by the larger roll width and length capacities and longer life toner and drum of the iColor 900 offer a slight advantage over the iColor 700, but it costs more. The anticipated size of label printing jobs enters into the equation as well, even though both printers are classified as short/mid run capacities, the UniNet iColor 900 is better suited for the upper end of that spectrum.

Watch the Video below to see the difference in the iColor 700 & iColor 900 label printers