The new Pro TF6250 UV flatbed is targeted at entry- and mid-level operations and will use its new sign and graphics inks. The machine will sit alongside the existing Pro T7210 in Ricoh’s portfolio.

While pricing was not disclosed, Ricoh said it would be benchmarked against all flatbed devices with 2.5x1.3m table sizes.

“The Pro TF6250 will be more focused on the sign and graphics sector or to new customers who would like to introduce for the first time a flatbed device into their organisation,” said Ricoh national sales director Simon Isaacs.

“The Pro T7210 is more suited to industrial customers or to customers who would like to improve current volume or expand production and productivity.”

He added: “It’s ideal for mainly graphic arts applications or materials and packaging applications, thanks to our new graphic arts inks, flexible and with big colour gamut.

“In case we have customers who are interested to print on industrial materials or approach screen printing and industrial decor applications, we can offer our Ricoh industrial inks with high adhesion. These are suitable for non-common or industrial substrates.”

Also new is the Ri 1000 direct-to-garment (DTG) printer, which Ricoh said it has designed “to address a wide range of user requirements”. This machine will replace the existing Ri 3000 in Ricoh’s portfolio.

New features include higher print resolution, extended printable area and snap-on print tables, including a new shoe platen.

While pricing for the machine has not yet been disclosed, Ricoh said it expects the cost of ownership and operation to be “very competitive”.

“The direct-to-garment printing market is growing and we are confident that the Ri 1000 will be warmly received by a diverse range of progressive businesses,” said Isaacs.

“Since we strategically integrated our inkjet technology into our own printing solutions, we have looked intently at the market in terms of how we can lever the creative minds of Ricoh to make innovative technology available to our clients. In turn, that technology allows our clients to enter new markets, improve their margins and grow their business.”

The Ri 1000 prints full-colour graphics at 1,200dpi on garments of a diverse array of sizes, colours and materials. Quick change magnetic platens, available in multiple styles and sizes up to 406x498mm, provide a variety of print options.

Ricoh said these platens easily snap on and off the machine, so switching between different garment styles and sizes requires “virtually no downtime”.

The machine’s special carriage and table design helps to keep garments flat and in place while printing.

As well as a higher resolution and wider printable area than the Ri 3000, Ricoh said this machine has been developed with ease of use in mind, with features including automated maintenance sequences and a touchscreen display that includes a built-in Interactive Operation Guide, which provides alerts reminding users to perform manual maintenance tasks.

“The Ri 1000 enables operations to print on-demand promotional and personalised garments and cotton-based products and applications including t-shirts, canvas shoes, cloth bags, cushion covers and sweatshirts. It can print on a wide range of materials from 100% cotton to blends with a minimum of 50% cotton,” said Isaacs.

Both the Pro TF6250 and Ri 1000, as well as Ricoh’s Latex Pro L5100 series printers, which were first unveiled last autumn, will receive their UK show debuts at Sign & Digital UK, taking place at Birmingham’s NEC from 2 to 4 April 2019.