A numbering machine used to be the only option, but it is expensive, breaks down, and needs an operator. Apex Print prints the number with the page itself, so you save the machine and its upkeep and remove a whole step from your workflow.
| Criterion | Numbering machine | Apex Print |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Machine price + regular service + parts | One-time software purchase, no upkeep |
| Errors | Repeats or skips found after printing | A register prevents duplicates automatically |
| Steps | Print, then number in a separate step | Number prints with the page in one pass |
| Format | Limited by the machine | Prefix + digits + suffix, any style |
| Speed | Bound by the machine and operator | As fast as your printer, across several at once |
| Tracking | Manual, on paper | Digital register of issued numbers |
If your work is repeat numbering (books, invoices, receipts), software saves the machine and its maintenance, removes a step, and reduces errors. A machine only makes sense for a rare case that never passes through a printer.
For most print work, yes — as long as the job passes through a printer, Apex Print prints the number with it and no separate machine is needed.
Usually yes, because the app keeps a register of issued numbers and prevents repeats or skips, whereas a machine relies on manual setup.
Download the trial and number a real book before you decide — 20 free pages.