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The production print industry is facing an interesting challenge.
Customers want faster turnaround times, shorter runs, more personalization, and higher-quality output than ever before. At the same time, many print providers are dealing with labor shortages, rising operating costs, and increasing pressure to do more with fewer resources.
That's one reason Xerox launched its new Proficio production press family.
The Xerox Proficio PX500 is designed for production environments that need more speed, more automation, and more monthly volume than entry-level production systems can comfortably handle. It builds on many of the technologies introduced in the Proficio family while targeting organizations that produce a higher volume of work and need maximum efficiency from both their equipment and operators.
Naturally, that leads to an important question:
Is the Xerox Proficio PX500 worth the investment, and who is it really designed for?
At Strategic Technology Partners of Texas (STPT), we've spent nearly 40 years helping organizations evaluate production print equipment. While we primarily sell Xerox equipment, our goal is to provide honest, practical reviews that help buyers understand where a machine excels and where it may not be the right fit.
In this review, we'll examine the Xerox Proficio PX500's features, performance, media capabilities, workflow options, pros and cons, pricing considerations, and ideal use cases.
Table of Contents
- Is the Xerox Proficio PX500 Worth Considering?
- What Is the Xerox Proficio PX500?
- Xerox Proficio PX500 Basic Specs
- Xerox Proficio PX500 Key Features
- HD EA Toner and Image Quality
- 100 ppm Production Speed
- Media Flexibility
- Optional Fifth Color Station
- Automation and Quality Control
- Proficio PX500 Print Server Options
- Proficio PX500 Feeding and Finishing Options
- What Are the Pros and Cons of the Xerox Proficio PX500?
- How Much Does the Xerox Proficio PX500 Cost?
- Who Should Buy the Xerox Proficio PX500?
- Is the Proficio PX500 Worth It?
- FAQ
Short Answer: Is the Xerox Proficio PX500 Worth Considering?
The Xerox Proficio PX500 is a 100-page-per-minute production press built for commercial print shops, in-plants, franchise print providers, and marketing service organizations that need high-volume production, advanced automation, exceptional image quality, and optional fifth-color capabilities. Its biggest strengths are productivity, media versatility, workflow automation, and the ability to produce consistent results with less operator intervention.
If your organization regularly produces direct mail, catalogs, marketing materials, booklets, personalized campaigns, or high-volume color work, the PX500 deserves serious consideration.
What Is the Xerox Proficio PX500?
The Xerox Proficio PX500 is a color production press designed for mid-sized production environments that need more throughput and automation than traditional light production systems.
As part of Xerox's new Proficio Production Series, the PX500 focuses on three key objectives:
- Producing better CMYK output automatically
- Improving productivity through automation
- Expanding revenue opportunities through specialty print applications
Rather than serving general office environments, the PX500 is designed for organizations where production print is a core part of daily operations. Xerox specifically positions the PX500 for production professionals who need greater speed, higher monthly volumes, and advanced workflow capabilities.
Common users include:
- Commercial print providers
- Corporate in-plants
- Franchise print centers
- Marketing service providers
- Direct mail operations
- Specialty print shops
Xerox Proficio PX500 Basic Specs
Here are some of the key specifications for the Xerox Proficio PX500:
- Print Speed: Up to 100 ppm
- Average Monthly Print Volume: Up to 350,000 pages
- Maximum Duty Cycle: Up to 1.8 million pages
- Print Resolution: 2400 x 2400 dpi
- Toner Technology: HD EA Toner
- Maximum Media Weight: Up to 400 gsm
- Maximum Sheet Length: Up to 51.2 inches
- Fifth Color Capability: Optional (CMYK+)
- Print Server Options: EX PX500 or EX-P PX500 Powered by Fiery
Xerox Proficio PX500 Key Features
HD EA Toner Delivers Exceptional Print Quality
Like the PX300, the PX500 uses Xerox's High-Definition Emulsion Aggregate (HD EA) Toner technology.
This toner helps produce:
- Vibrant color
- Smooth gradients
- Fine detail
- Sharp text
- Offset-like image quality
Combined with Xerox's advanced LED imaging system and Ultra HD Resolution, the PX500 is designed to deliver high-quality output across a broad range of applications.
100 ppm Production Performance
The most obvious difference between the PX300 and PX500 is speed.
The PX500 prints at up to 100 pages per minute, making it better suited for higher-volume environments where productivity has a direct impact on profitability.
Typical applications include:
- Direct mail campaigns
- Catalogs
- Brochures
- Booklets
- Marketing collateral
- Personalized communications
- Transactional documents
Broad Media Flexibility
The PX500 supports an extensive range of media, including:
- Coated stocks
- Uncoated stocks
- Textured papers
- Embossed media
- Envelopes
- Heavy stocks up to 400 gsm
- Long-sheet applications up to 51.2 inches
This digital press can maintain quality on textured and challenging media through automated image transfer adjustments and developer refresh systems.
Optional Fifth Color Station
The PX500 includes an optional fifth color station that Xerox refers to as Beyond CMYK or CMYK+, which supports:
- Clear
- Low Gloss Clear
- Fluorescent Pink
These specialty dry inks allow organizations to produce:
- Premium embellishments
- Eye-catching direct mail
- Extended color gamut applications
- Specialty marketing materials
Fluorescent Pink is noteworthy because it expands your color ranges while making it easier to reproduce difficult-to-match brand colors.
Automation and Quality Control
One of the strongest themes throughout the Proficio PX500 platform is automation.
Optional tools such as the Quality Control Module continuously monitor:
- Color density
- Registration
- Print consistency
The system can make corrections automatically while maintaining production speed.
Proficio PX500 Print Server Options
The Xerox Proficio PX500 can be configured with either the EX PX500 Print Server or the more advanced EX-P PX500 Print Server, both powered by Fiery. You also have the option to just use the integrated print server.
The EX server is designed for everyday commercial production, while the EX-P adds faster processing, Intelligent HyperRIP technology, advanced color tools, and enhanced workflow capabilities for more demanding production environments.
Proficio PX5000 Feeding and Finishing Options
The PX500 offers one of the most robust finishing ecosystems in its class.
Available options include:
- High-capacity vacuum feeders
- XLS feeding systems
- Production Ready Finishers
- Booklet Maker Finishers
- SquareFold Trimmer
- Creasing modules
- Punching systems
- High-Capacity Stackers
- C/Z Folding
- Static Dissipation Module
These options allow organizations to configure the system around their specific workflow requirements.
How Much Does the Xerox Proficio PX500 Cost?
As with most production presses, pricing varies significantly based on the configuration you choose.
Factors that affect total investment include:
- Print server selection
- Feeding options
- Finishing equipment
- Fifth color station
- Workflow software
- Service agreements
- Impression charges
Because every production environment has different requirements, most organizations receive customized pricing rather than standardized list pricing.
Who Should Buy the Xerox Proficio PX500?
Best For
The PX500 is an excellent fit for:
- Mid-sized commercial print providers
- Franchise print centers
- Corporate in-plants
- Direct mail operations
- Marketing service providers
- High-volume color production environments
Probably Not Ideal For
The PX500 may be more machine than necessary for:
- General office printing
- Low-volume production environments
- Organizations producing occasional print jobs
- Businesses that rarely print color
FAQ
How fast is the Xerox Proficio PX500?
The Xerox Proficio PX500 prints at speeds of up to 100 pages per minute and supports average monthly volumes of up to 350,000 pages.
What specialty colors are available on the PX500?
The optional fifth color station supports Clear, Low Gloss Clear, and Fluorescent Pink specialty dry inks.
What media can the Proficio PX500 print on?
The PX500 supports coated stocks, uncoated papers, textured media, embossed papers, envelopes, heavy stocks up to 400 gsm, and long sheets up to 51.2 inches.
What is the difference between the EX and EX-P print servers?
The EX server is designed for everyday production environments, while the EX-P includes faster processing, Intelligent HyperRIP technology, and advanced color and workflow tools for high-volume production.
Who is the Xerox Proficio PX500 best suited for?
The PX500 is best suited for commercial print providers, franchise print centers, corporate in-plants, marketing service providers, and other organizations that require high-volume color production.
Is the Xerox Proficio PX500 Worth It?
The Xerox Proficio PX500 is clearly designed for production environments that need more speed, more automation, and more scalability than traditional light production systems can offer.
Its combination of 100 ppm performance, advanced automation, specialty color capabilities, extensive media support, and powerful Fiery workflow tools make it a compelling option for organizations looking to improve efficiency while maintaining exceptional image quality.
While it won't be the right fit for every print environment, the PX500 appears well-positioned for commercial printers, in-plants, and marketing service providers that need to produce a high volume of work without sacrificing quality or consistency.
If you're evaluating production equipment and need a press capable of handling demanding workloads while simplifying day-to-day operation, the Xerox Proficio PX500 is certainly worth a closer look.
