An Ri 1000 direct-to-garment printing system, plus Schulze pre-treatment and heatpress, arrived at the Malton, North Yorkshire-based plant at the end of August, adding the option of garment printing to Inprint’s services for the first time.
However, representing the lion's share of the combined £150,000 investment will be a Pro TF6250 UV flatbed, arriving this month. It will replace a Roland DG VersaExpress RF-640 to expand the firm’s capabilities in its growing display market.
Managing director Paul Coulson said: “We have already run two of the Ricoh Pro C9100 printers through the Heidelberg OEM and because of that we thought these two machines would drop in very nicely. Ricoh and Heidelberg have both been very good to us.
“Garment printing is a completely new thing for us – a new venture that has been devised after some great feedback from our existing customers. It will let us print anything from one-offs to long runs of t-shirts, hoodies and anything else that is possible.
“On the flatbed, you can print on doors, glass and so much more; the possibilities are absolutely endless and we were blown away by the speed and the colours.”
Both machines were announced by Ricoh in February and saw their UK show debuts at Sign & Digital in April, where they caught the attention of Coulson and his team.
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.
Released to market at Fespa 2019, the Pro TF6250 true flatbed has a 2.5x1.3m print area using a 12-head system to print CMYK, double white, clear and primer at speeds up to 116sqm/hr.
Alongside the two new Ricoh devices, Inprint enjoys a strong relationship with Heidelberg exemplified in its use of a B2 Speedmaster CX 75, as well as a range of Stahlfolder and Horizon kit in its finishing department.
Going forward, the 16-staff operation will look to expand its 1,400sqm premises in order to make room for future investments with a focus on automation, according to Coulson.
