The Elan 170
The Elan delivers exceptional productivity and flexibility for commercial printers and mail shops, handling a wide range of applications, including business envelopes, direct mail, packaging, and more.
Powered by advanced pigment inkjet technology, the Elan offers offset-quality color output with waterfast CMYK inks that resist smudging when exposed to water or handling.
Get a custom ROI analysis from us so we can demonstrate the quick payback through lower ink costs and higher productivity.
DPI
Up to 1600 x 1600 dpi
with a 2.1 picoliter drop size
Inks
Waterfast CMYK inks
Image Quality
High-quality, durable, and versatile printing on uncoated and treated substrates
Widths
Maximum print area: 12.7” x 19”
Speeds
Production speeds up to 18,000
#10 envelopes per hour or 150 ft/min
SYSTEM FEATURES
1. Color Performance & Print Quality
Offset-quality output with waterfast pigment ink technology
- Delivers 1600 x 1600 dpi resolution with 2.1 picoliter drops
- Produces sharp text, crisp lines, and vibrant color images
- Waterfast CMYK pigment inks resist smudging when wet
- Maintains quality on uncoated, treated, and corrugated substrates
2. Speed & Throughput
High-volume production without compromising print quality
- Prints up to 18,000 #10 envelopes per hour
- Achieves 150 feet per minute at full rated speed
- Runs variable data printing at maximum production speeds
- Fast-drying inks eliminate need for external dryers
3. Format Flexibility
Handles diverse media from envelopes to corrugated packaging
- Prints sheets from 4″ x 3.5″ to 13″ x 19″
- Accommodates media up to 1″ thick and 400gsm/30pt+
- Supports full-bleed printing on all four sides
- Processes envelopes (empty or stuffed), NCR, bags, and cartons
4. Operational Efficiency
Streamlined workflows with automated maintenance and minimal waste
- Eliminates makeready waste and multi-step offset processes
- Features automated head cleaning and capping for upkeep
- User-replaceable printhead with 2x redundancy ensures reliability
- Reduces labor requirements compared to traditional offset printing
5. Workflow Intelligence & Integration
Advanced RIP and software for seamless production management
- Equipped with Xitron Harlequin RIP for precise color control
- Provides ICC profiles and spot color matching capability
- Enables intelligent job tracking throughout production workflow
- Supports sheet-fed, roll-fed, and mail transport configurations
6. Total Cost Advantage
Lower operating costs with faster ROI than legacy systems
- Operates at 1/10th the cost of tabletop inkjets
- Reduces ink costs by two-thirds versus comparable systems
- Delivers 18-month payback on typical production volumes
- No click charges or expensive consumable contracts required
REAL WORLD USE CASES
Revolutionizing Envelope Inkjet Printing
Problem / Challenge
One of our customers, who is a direct mail service operation, needed to replace two unreliable tabletop inkjet envelope systems that were frequently breaking down. These outdated setups incurred exorbitant costs for ink and printheads, hindering efficiency and profitability in their high-volume envelope production.
Solution / Outcome
The customer moved forward with the Delphax Elan 170 inkjet press, which doubled the output of their previous dual tabletop systems while slashing running costs to just 1/10th of the old setup. This translated to $130,000 in ink savings alone over five years, with enhanced speed, reliability, and overall economy.
Versatility and Profitability Realized
Problem / Challenge
One of our customers needed an exceptionally versatile inkjet press — a true “Swiss Army Knife” solution capable of handling a wide range of products. Their existing toner-based systems struggled with specialty jobs, including envelopes of varying sizes, creased and scored sheets, and fine stationery. The lack of flexibility created production bottlenecks and limited the types of jobs they could efficiently fulfill.
Solution / Outcome
To meet these challenges, the customer adopted the Delphax Elan 170 Envelope+ Printer, configured with both an envelope feeder and a sheet feeder. The dual-feeder setup provided the adaptability they needed, with feeder swaps completed in under five minutes — a key advantage for a print shop managing diverse workflows.
Installation was completed in just four days, enabling them to ramp up production almost immediately. The Elan 170 allowed them to offload work from their toner-based devices, producing jobs faster, more efficiently, and with higher profit margins.
The press’s ability to print on multiple substrates opened new revenue opportunities while reducing wear on existing equipment.
Enhancing Print-on-Demand Efficiency
Problem / Challenge
One of our customers, who is a full-service printing and marketing provider, sought a faster and more productive print-on-demand envelope printing solution to replace their aging iJet printer and offset press. Key requirements included superior speed, high image quality to match existing work standards, economical operation, support for variable data printing, and robust job recovery features. The goal was to decommission the outdated offset press while maintaining reliability and profitability in a competitive print-on-demand environment.
Solution / Outcome
The customer selected the Elan 170, which proved 80% faster than their previous iJet system and reduced operating costs by two-thirds. Delphax’s expertise in color profiles ensured excellent image quality and seamless integration for variable work. The solution delivered exceptional reliability, quick job recovery, and enabled the team to meet tight customer deadlines with reduced labor needs.
Installation was completed in just four days, allowing rapid onboarding. As a result, they achieved higher productivity, cost savings, and greater profitability in their print-on-demand operations.
Data Is Believing
Why The Elan Pays For Itself
%
20%-67% cost decrease = 18 Month Avg. ROI
%
80% faster speed for productivity
%
2x nozzle redundancy & 2x more resolution in production mode
%
4x smaller drop size for sharp lines & crisp text with tight registration
Elan Specs
General Specifications – Simplex Base Model Print Unit
- Size: 38” x 44” x 54” (W x D x H)
- Weight: 382 lbs
- Electrical Requirements: Single 115v, 15A single phase outlet
Digital Front End Specifications
- Type: PDF Based Workflow
- Core Technology: Xitron Navigator 8 or higher powered by Hybrid Helix (formerly Global Graphics) Harlequin Core RIP
- Data Stream Support: Native PDF, Optional Support for PS, AFP, IPDS, PCL, VIPP
- Core Hardware:
- Intel i7 @ 2.9 GHz, 16GB RAM or higher
- Windows 10 Pro, SSD Based Storage
Print Engine Technology
- Imaging Technology: 1600 x 954 or 1600×1600 DPI (Memjet DuraFlex™) no image compression
- Ink Type: Pigment CMYK, drop volume 2.1pl
- Max Printable Area: 12.7” x 19” (W x L)
Media Support
- Sheet Size: 4” x 3.5” up to 13” x 19” (W x L) or #10 Envelope (pre/post dependent)
- Standard Weights: 16# Bond to 130# Cover/15pt (higher possible by request)
- Media Thickness: Corrugated, etc. Standard maximum head gap up to 1”
- Type:
- Uncoated and Inkjet Treated Medias
- NCR, Envelopes, Paper Bags, Corrugated
Productivity
>> Images per Minute (Maximum)
- Letter (8.5” x 11”) –170 simplex
- Legal (8.5” x 14”) 112 simplex
- #10 Envelope 294 simplex
Recommended Maximum Productivity: 2 Million Letter Impressions per month
Pre & Post Processing Options
- 2,500 Sheet Capacity BDT SiS Feeder
- Delphax Solutions Paper Bag Feeder
- Integrated Envelope Feeding Options
- Shingle Conveyor or Stacker Output Options
- “Bring Your Own Device” – DSI Integration of Supplied Pre/Post
- Multi-Bin, and other 3rd Party Integrations upon request
Optional Components: Registration & Drier Modules as required
Elan Advantages
Advantages: Better TCO & Faster ROI
- Lower hardware and running costs than comparable Piezo inkjet or tabletop systems.
- Reduced operating expenses vs. offset (no makeready waste, easier for short runs of 500-30k).
- User-friendly operation requires less skilled labor than offset, with automated features minimizing downtime.
- Rivals offset speeds while optimizing for on-demand production and variable data.
- Flexible transport options (envelopes, sheets, rolls) adapt to evolving business needs.
- Custom ROI assessments demonstrate quick payback through low ink costs and high productivity.
Rivals offset speeds while optimizing for on-demand production and variable data.
The Elan’s user-friendly operation requires less skilled labor than offset, with automated features minimizing downtime..
Flexible transport options (envelopes, sheets, rolls) adapt to evolving business needs.
Let’s print better, together.
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Our ROI model highlights how the Elan Envelope+ Printer lowers production costs, accelerates turnaround, and outperforms legacy methods on short and mid-size runs. Get a personalized assessment to see how quickly the investment pays back — and where the profit lift comes from.