Ricoh exhibited its expanding digital printing solutions at the FESPA Global Expo 2019 from May 14 to 17. The company exhibited examples of flatbed, large format, direct to garment printing, sheetfed and inkjet printhead technologies aimed at expanding the business of print manufacturers at their 304 square metre booth.
The Ricoh Pro™ L5160 latex roll to roll wide format printer is ideal for fast production of short runs with high efficiency. Launched this year, the machine offers superior print quality, high productivity and performance compared to the previous version, with reduced maintenance requirements.
The Ricoh Ri 1000 Direct to Garment Printing machine provides easy operation for those who want to venture into garment decoration, while the Ricoh Ri 6000 Direct Garment Printing solution has been developed for higher production demands. Both models enable flexible and cost-effective production, ranging from t-shirts to cloth bags and sock printing.
The Ricoh Pro™ C7200x colour sheetfed printer features five colour printing to create creative and versatile prints. Acquiring ColorGATE at the end of 2018, Ricoh also showed how intuitive software features make the workflow more consistent and excellent quality-wise during the exhibition.
Ricoh won the EDP Award at FESPA
The company participated in the FESPA show for the 4th time and received one of the EDP awards. The company won the award with its Ricoh Pro™ VC70000 colour continuous feed inkjet platform in the Commercial Printing Systems Web Fed Printer category. This printer provides businesses with high productivity for more offset-like applications. The Ricoh Pro VC70000 incorporates a newly designed and patented dryer and Ricoh’s new extended gamut inks. The inks enable users to print directly onto a variety of offset papers without the need for any pre-treatment. The platform prints at speeds up to 150 metres per minute, producing nearly 12,000 duplex B2 sheets per hour.
Ricoh Ri 6000 creates difference with its efficiency
Ricoh Ink Jet Business Division, Product Manager Anne Veldman, who we met at the Ricoh booth at FESPA, provided important information about the company’s focus. Veldman pointed out the most remarkable features of the direct to garment printer Ricoh Ri 6000 as the efficiency and durability of an industrial type machine. Stating that the printing machine was of steel construction, Veldman also said that Ricoh inkjet printheads were used.
Stating that the Ricoh Ri 6000 can produce approximately 75 prints per hour in the same design; Veldman explained that in the case of a design change, printing can start in a very short time. Noting that the best results were obtained in printing on 100% cotton t-shirts; Veldman also relayed that, thanks to a pre-treatment, they were also able to print on 100% lightweight polyester t-shirts.
Ink costs are very competitive
Anne Veldman said the cost of the Ricoh Ri 6000 ink is very competitive. Veldman said; “In general, our prices are lower compared to other DTG competitors. Local pricing is applied, but we are in a lower price range than the competition”.
Veldman expressed that the Ricoh Ri 6000 is a CMYK + White printer; and emphasized that this means that it can print on all coloured fabrics, including black. Recording that when a white pad should be created, a pre-treatment with a spray gun or an automatic machine should be applied; Veldman reminded that curing must take place after printing, with either a heat press or an oven.
Direct to garment solutions are safe for human health
Anne Veldman emphasized that Ricoh’s direct to garment solutions and the inks used are safe for human health. “No exhaust fumes are produced during the printing phase. Meaning very safe working conditions for the operator. In addition, we have the OEKO-TEX Eco Passport. This is the document that shows the final printed product is safe for people, babies, children and adults”.
Underlining that Ricoh attaches great importance to the direct to garment printing (DTG) segment; Veldman said that it offers solutions that bring speed and efficiency to this segment. Veldman added that Ricoh has developed the Ri 1000 model for the entry level of the DTG segment; and the resulting print quality and ease of use are very attractive.