IJP900 vs. Iridesse: Which Xerox Production Printer Is Right for You?

At some point, every growing print operation hits a fork in the road.

You know your current equipment isn’t cutting it anymore. Your jobs are getting bigger, turnaround times are getting tighter, and customers are starting to ask for more volume, more quality, more differentiation. You know you need to scale, but which printer should you go with?

Do you lean into speed and efficiency with an inkjet press built for long runs and transactional work? Or do you invest in premium visual impact with a digital press designed to command higher margins?

As print vendors who help organizations evaluate production printing every day, we see this exact decision play out often. In this blog, we’ll compare the Xerox IJP900 Inkjet Press and the Xerox Iridesse Production Press. We’ll go over what they’re designed for, where each excels, and how to decide which one aligns with your business goals today and tomorrow.

Table of Contents

• Understanding the Two Press Categories
• Xerox IJP900 Inkjet Press
• Xerox Iridesse Production Press
• Print Quality & Applications Compared
• Workflow, Automation, and Labor Considerations
• Cost Structure & Business Fit
• IJP900 vs. Iridesse: Side-by-Side Comparison
• Which Press Is Right for You?
• Next Steps: Making a Confident Decision

Understanding the Two Press Categories

Before comparing models, it helps to understand what kind of presses these are.

The IJP900 is a production inkjet press, optimized for:

• Long runs
• Consistent formats
• High-speed throughput
• Lower cost-per-page at scale

The Iridesse is a high-end digital production press, optimized for:

• Specialty effects
• Premium print quality
• Short-to-medium runs
• High-margin applications

Neither of these machines is universally “better,” but they are built for different business models.

Now, let’s dive briefly into each press.

Xerox IJP900 Inkjet Press

The IJP900 is built for operations where high print volume and efficiency are key to boosting profitability.

Where the IJP900 Shines

• High-speed inkjet production for books, manuals, statements, and transactional print
• Excellent consistency across long runs
• Lower maintenance compared to toner-based presses
• Strong fit for in-plants, transactional printers, publishers, and service bureaus

Inkjet presses like the IJP900 make the most sense when jobs are predictable, margins come from throughput, and visual embellishment isn’t required.

Ideal Use Cases

• Book and educational publishing
• Direct mail with heavy text coverage
• Statements, bills, and notices
• Training manuals and instructional materials

If your shop’s profitability depends on how fast you can move pages, the IJP900 checks the right boxes.

Xerox Iridesse Production Press

The Iridesse takes a different approach. Instead of chasing speed alone, it focuses on value per page.

Where the Iridesse Excels

• Inline specialty dry inks (metallics, white, clear, fluorescent pink)
• Single-pass printing with CMYK + specialty effects
• Exceptional color accuracy and registration
• Broad media flexibility, including heavy and textured stocks

This press is built for businesses that want to stand out visually and sell print as a premium product.

Ideal Use Cases

• Marketing agencies and creative print shops
• High-end direct mail campaigns
• Packaging mockups and short-run packaging
• Event collateral, invitations, and branded materials

If your growth strategy involves charging more per job, Iridesse supports that model.

Print Quality & Applications Compared

Both presses deliver professional-quality output, but in very different ways.

• IJP900: Clean, consistent, readable output optimized for efficiency
• Iridesse: Rich color depth, specialty finishes, and visual effects that elevate the printed piece

One helpful way to think about it is this:

• The IJP900 makes printing faster and cheaper
• The Iridesse makes printing more valuable

If your customers are choosing vendors based on price and speed, inkjet wins. If they’re choosing based on visual impact, Iridesse pulls ahead.

Workflow, Automation, and Labor Considerations

Labor is one of the most overlooked costs in production printing.

IJP900 Workflow Strengths

• Streamlined job setup
• Fewer operator touchpoints
• Ideal for standardized jobs
• Predictable, repeatable output

Iridesse Workflow Strengths

• Advanced automation tools for color management
• Inline finishing and embellishment
• Flexible job setup for creative work
• Supports complex jobs without slowing production

If you’re trying to reduce reliance on skilled labor, inkjet may feel simpler. If you’re selling premium jobs, the Iridesse’s automation helps offset complexity.

Cost Structure & Business Fit

When it comes to cost, many buyers will hesitate, and rightly so. But it’s important to remember that although the initial cost of a production machine is high, the total cost of ownership will ultimately determine how much your investment pays off.

IJP900:

• Lower cost per page at high volumes
• Best ROI when running consistently
• Fewer upsell opportunities per job

Iridesse:

• Higher upfront investment
• Strong margins on specialty applications
• Opens doors to new markets and services

While neither press is cheap, the return comes from how well it matches your business model.

IJP900 vs. Iridesse: Side-by-Side Comparison

Which Press Is Right for You?

Choose the IJP900 if:

• You run long, repeatable jobs
• Your customers prioritize speed and cost
• You want predictable, high-volume output

Choose the Iridesse if:

• You sell marketing and branded materials
• You want to differentiate with specialty effects
• You’re focused on margin, not just volume

What if you’re somewhere in between? Many growing operations end up using both: the inkjet for high volume and the Iridesse for premium work.

Interested in a Either Production Press?

Choosing between inkjet and digital production isn’t about picking the “best” machine but about choosing the right tool for your growth strategy.

If you’re considering either the Xerox IJP900 or the Iridesse Production Press, the smartest next step is to talk through:

• Your current job mix
• Monthly print volume
• Growth goals
• Budget and ROI expectations

Request a quote, and we’ll help you evaluate both options honestly and recommend the press that fits your operation, not just today, but as you scale.