Image producing machine having a footprint-reducing tower

A reduced footprint image producing machine has functional components including image forming apparatus, controllers and machine environment conditioning devices; a first frame containing some of said functional components and having a height suitable for an operator work surface located at a top of said first frame; and a second frame mounted onto a top of said first frame defining a footprint-reducing tower, said footprint-reducing tower, thereby preventing the addition of protrusions to a rear of said machine, and thus reducing the installed foot print of the machine.