The digital duplicator is a printing system that employs the ink-on-paper process by digitizing an image, transferring this image into tiny perforations on a paper plate, and then pressing the ink through this paper plate onto the paper.
In other words, you’ve created a "master" copy of your document, which is then wrapped around a print cylinder. Ink squeezes through the cylinder into tiny holes via the paper plate, or master, onto a sheet of paper. There is a roller on the bottom side of that cylinder that pushes or sandwiches the sheet of paper so that the ink goes on it. Each copy is thereby produced from the master, versus the result via a conventional copier where continuous copies are made of the original. Most models range in cost from $6,000 to $26,995, again, varying per manufacturer and model.
Digital duplicators use the master and inks – both environmentally friendly and biodegradable from most manufacturers – instead of toner that is typically used on electrostatic copiers; no other consumables are necessary. Users have a range of spot-color copy options to brighten their product, and can output a host of varying sizes, from 4x6 inches to 11x17 inches. Stock thickness isn’t an issue with duplicators either – most models can handle the standard variety laser bond paper, heavier card stocks and even envelopes. Many duplicators also incorporate varying types of "job separator" mechanisms that offset the top sheet of each job. However, this feature shouldn’t be confused with a copier’s collating function – most duplicators output into a single pan or tray.