Videojet 1510 Printers vs. Videojet 1310 Printer vs. 1.5kW/4000W Fiber Lasers: A Reseller’s Guide

There’s No Single ‘Right’ Machine

If you’re trying to decide between a Videojet 1510 printer, a Videojet 1310 printer, or a fiber laser, I’ll say it plainly: there is no universal answer. I’ve watched good deals turn into expensive mistakes because someone tried to force one machine to do every job. So let’s break this down by scenario—the same way I do when a customer or my own sales team asks for an honest recommendation.

I’ve been handling equipment orders for packaging and manufacturing for eight years. I’ve personally made (and documented) 7 significant mistakes, totaling roughly $48,000 in wasted budget. Now I maintain our team’s checklist so we don’t repeat them. This is not a ‘buy the cheapest’ or ‘buy the most expensive’ article. It’s a ‘which situation are you in’ article.

The Three Scenarios That Actually Matter

In the past few months, our CRM shows about 60 conversations about these machines. Maybe 70—I’d have to check. Almost every question falls into one of three buckets:

• Scenario A: You run a high-speed packaging line and need reliable, non-contact coding on cartons, films, cans, or other surfaces.
• Scenario B: You need basic coding on a slower line and you don’t want to pay for features you’ll never use.
• Scenario C: You’re a laser cutting machine reseller trying to decide whether a 1.5kW or 4000W fiber laser belongs in your lineup—or a manufacturer trying to choose between a marking laser and a cutting laser.

These are not competing options unless your application actually crosses those boundaries. The mistake is assuming they compete.

Scenario A: Videojet 1510 Printers for High-Volume Coding

If your line runs multiple shifts and you need codes that don’t look like afterthoughts, a continuous inkjet printer is usually the right tool. That’s where the Videojet 1510 earns its keep.

I’m not a mechanical engineer, so I can’t quote the exact nozzle geometry or printhead specifications from memory. What I can tell you from a procurement and service perspective is that the 1510 is designed for demanding environments. According to Videojet’s product pages at videojet.com, as of January 2025, the 1510 is positioned as a high-performance CIJ printer. In practice, that means larger ink capacity, less day-to-day fuss, and a printhead that can sit on a fast line without constant babysitting.

But here’s the part that costs resellers money: the 1510 only makes sense when the volume justifies it. I once recommended a 1310 to a customer who needed 1510-level speed because they had a ‘small budget.’ That was the mistake. The line outran the printer, codes started skipping, and the customer lost a shift. The $3,000 I saved them on the purchase turned into a week of frustration.

I’d recommend the 1510 if you need:

• Multiple shifts or continuous production
• Frequent code changes (batch numbers, expiration dates, lot codes)
• A mix of porous and non-porous surfaces
• A machine that operators can learn quickly
• A service network that actually responds

One more thing: use original fluids and parts. I know aftermarket options look cheaper until you count the service calls. On a 1510, uptime is worth more than ink savings.

Scenario B: Videojet 1310 Printer for Honest, Basic Coding

The Videojet 1310 printer is the one I wish I had pitched in that high-speed story. Not because it’s bad—because it’s a different tool. The 1310 is a simpler, more cost-conscious CIJ printer. For a packaging line that runs one shift, or a facility doing mostly secondary packaging, it can be plenty.

What I like about the 1310 is that it doesn’t pretend to be a flagship. It uses the same coding concept with less complexity. That’s a feature, not a flaw—unless you need the higher duty cycle.

I’d recommend the 1310 if:

• Your line speed is moderate (verify with the spec sheet—I’d have to check the current numbers)
• You’re replacing a handheld coder or manual labels
• You want a lower entry price without buying a machine that feels disposable
• Your operator skill level is ‘we need this to work, not to impress anyone’

But don’t buy a 1310 and then push your line speed up. That was the mistake I made in 2017. I got the order, the customer was happy at first, and then the code quality started skipping on the 2-liter bottle run. The truth is, if line speed is even a question, overspec to the 1510 or ask Videojet for a speed test. Don’t assume.

(Note to self: make line speed a required field in every quote request. This article is basically that checklist.)

Scenario C: 1.5kW vs 4000W Fiber Laser—and the Reseller Reality

This is where things get confusing. Videojet also makes fiber laser marking systems, and those are not the same as the 4000W or 1.5kW fiber lasers used for sheet metal cutting. If a customer says ‘I want to engrave serial numbers on metal parts,’ that’s a marking laser. If they say ‘I want to cut 12mm steel plate,’ that’s a cutting machine. Those are not interchangeable.

As a laser cutting machine reseller, I’ve seen this confusion destroy a margin. A colleague added a marking laser to his cutting lineup, thinking it would be an easy add-on. The sales cycle was completely different: different end-users, different service skills, different spare parts. The laser was fine. The market fit was not.

Here’s how I think about 1.5kW vs 4000W:

• 1.5kW fiber laser: good for thin material, light fabrication, and shops where electricity and floor space are tight.
• 4000W fiber laser: good for thicker plate and higher throughput. It needs more power, more cooling, and a bigger price tag.

One isn’t ‘better’ than the other. They serve different customers. I know a shop that runs a 1.5kW almost every day and only uses the 4000W for jobs that need extra thickness. If you only have capital for one, buy the one that handles your customers’ borderline jobs, not their average jobs.

But here’s my expensive lesson: In September 2022, I took a demo 4000W fiber laser on consignment because a customer promised a large order if I could deliver quickly. I knew I should get a signed contract or at least a deposit. But I thought, ‘we’ve worked together for years.’ That was the one time a verbal promise fell through. The order went to a competitor, and I was stuck with 11 months of floor space, insurance, and depreciation. That’s a $12,000 mistake—no, $14,000, I’m mixing it up with the financing fees.

Laser Cutting Machine Resellers: Don’t Sell a Different Machine With a Similar Name

If you already sell high-power cutting lasers, adding a marking laser is possible, but don’t assume the same sales team can sell both. Asking a cutting-laser salesperson to sell a marking laser is like asking a forklift dealership to start selling conveyor systems. Some skills carry over; the buying process doesn’t.

This gets into technical territory that isn’t my expertise—beam quality, assist gas selection, cutting table mechanics. I’d recommend consulting a laser engineer before you stock both lines. What I can tell you from a business perspective is that the service burden is the hidden cost. Training, spare parts, and response time determine whether your margin survives.

The Legal Side: Keep Claims Honest

If you’re selling compatible inks, aftermarket parts, or even good-as-original cleaning solutions, remember that claims have to be accurate. Per FTC advertising guidelines at ftc.gov, claims like ‘original-equivalent’ must be truthful and substantiated. This gets into legal compliance territory, which isn’t my expertise. Have your legal team review the label before you put ‘compatible’ on it.

I’d rather spend 10 minutes explaining options than deal with mismatched expectations later. An informed customer asks better questions and makes faster decisions. That’s not a slogan—it’s how I keep deals from falling apart.

How to Know Which Scenario You’re In

Stop searching for a universal answer. Instead, ask these five questions:

1. What are you actually producing? Food and beverage lines need fast, reliable coding. Metal fabrication needs cutting or marking. These are different purchases.
2. What’s your line speed or production duty? If your line needs 1510-rated speed, don’t save money with a 1310. If your line is slow, don’t pay for a flagship you won’t use.
3. Who will service the machine? A laser cutting machine reseller can’t assume local support for a Videojet CIJ or a 4000W laser exists. Check the service map before you take a demo.
4. What’s the total cost, not the sticker price? Include ink, fluids, masks, lenses, gases, extraction, training, and downtime. Hidden costs add up fast (like rigging and cooling).
5. Can you test it on your actual substrate? This is non-negotiable. If the vendor can’t give you at least one sample run, walk away.

After the third blown install in Q1 2024, I created our pre-check list. This list is now the first page of every quote review. I’m not saying it will save you all $48,000 I lost—but it should keep you from losing the same way I did.

No checklist can replace testing, and no article can tell you exactly which machine to buy from 1,000 miles away. But if you’re honest about which scenario you’re in, you’ll be closer to the right answer than someone who just bought the most popular model.