Ricoh shows its cards with wide-format launch
In a move that follows its stated intention at Drupa 2012 to diversify its technology into the wide-format print arena, technology giant Ricoh has revealed the level of its commitment to the sector with the launch of a new seven colour roll-to-roll machine.
Wednesday, 08 Jan 2014 10:05 GMT
The Ricoh Pro: delivering high print productivity with the Ricoh piezo electric print heads
“As well as being ideally suited for the specialist signage market, we are particularly excited to be able to offer print services providers in the UK another solution to support their business growth and offer new services such as display and signage to their clients,” says Stephen Palmer, production print director, Ricoh.
The news will no doubt cause some waves in the already storm wide-format printer manufacturing arena, which in response to a sharp rise in demand, has seen an ever-increasing number of players join it.
The Japanese firm founded in the 1930s has been known over the decades for its cameras, office products and printers. With the launch of the Pro L4100 latex large-format printer series the company plans to make inroads into the expanding wide-format market as some of its traditional trading zones, such as cameras, have declined.
Officially available in the UK from this March, the Pro L4100 comes in 130cm (53”) or 160cm (63”) widths and supports up to seven colours in various configurations. In addition to CMYK, the printer has the advantage of handling orange, green and white inks.
The Ricoh Pro L4160 and L4130 deliver high print productivity and quality say the company due to technological innovations which include the Ricoh piezo electric print heads. Mindful of environmental considerations the series use aqueous latex ink and uses less electricity.
The multinational also claims it can print on PVC, tarpaulin, synthetic paper, coated-paper, uncoated paper, film, textiles and more. In addition, it allows the use of lighter weight substrates, thus reducing overall costs, including shipping”
Palmer continues: “Following the early reveal, at Drupa 2012, of our intention to grow our portfolio with the system, the Ricoh Pro L4100 series has been through Ricoh’s rigorous quality assurance process, and we have been assimilating the positive customer feedback we received.”
The Ricoh Pro L4100’s latex ink is an aqueous (water-based) ink which contains a low level of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). It has no odour and the low curing temperature of 60°C ink reportedly enables both quick drying, for a fast job turnaround, and the ability to print on many heat-sensitive substrates without damaging them says Ricoh.
The multinational also claims it can print on PVC, tarpaulin, synthetic paper, coated-paper, uncoated paper, film, textiles and more. In addition, it allows the use of lighter weight substrates, thus reducing overall costs, including shipping.
“Ricoh latex inks offer outdoor durability of one to two years, or two to three years with lamination. With white ink,” concludes Palmer, adding: “printers’ clients benefit from brilliant colour on all substrates - including transparent and dark materials - for signage, branded materials and window displays. And the addition of orange and green extends the colour gamut to encompass a wider range of vibrant colours, ideal for both indoor and outdoor materials, and to reproduce corporate colours accurately.”
