Printing options for alum newsletter

[modorney]

My home chapter (Rensselaer) and my nearby chapter (Berkeley) are both interested in an alum newsletter. Like others have learned, a print newsletter is more effective with older alumni. And we have noticed some really well done four and six page newsletters from other chapters. These are one sheet of paper (not individual sheets stapled), folded for mailing. We're looking at about 500 copies, and printing companies we have found online charge about 40 to 50 cents a page.

Our volume is right on the bubble as far as "printing" (actual printing press) versus some kind of copying or laser print technology. And we are right on the bubble as far as having a few alums sticker and fold them (a few hours one evening.) Not so many as to require a commercial company prep and mail.

One question is, "Has any one found a local Kinko's or other copy store that will print/Xerox/copy a large format - 11 by 25.5 inch - sheet for a reasonable price? (11 by 17 is common and many copiers handle this, but the six page sheet is a challenge)

Okidata used to make a wide format printer - C8800 - that would print 11 by 25.5 (actually up to 11 by 47) for about 9 cents a side, depending on colors. That would put the cost per sheet about 20 cents. The downside is that this printer costs around 2 grand. Also, Konica and Xerox make large format (11 inch wide banner) printers for 2 to 4 grand.

My second question is has anyone used one of these printers? As a side note, the banner printing capability would be handy for the undergrad chapter - rush ads, philanthropy promotions, etc. Also, would 8.5 inch wide banners would make an acceptable three-fold newsletter? Anyone tried this?

cheers,
Mike O