Capable of handling a variety of textured stocks from 40-470gsm, and able to print duplex lengths up to 1,030mm, the new printer has opened up new opportunities for Offsite to offer bespoke work and tweak jobs for clients.

“We print some interesting stuff through these machines, so we did our due diligence: we looked at everything [in the market],” managing director Chris Taylor told Printweek.

Arriving in late February, the machine was up and running quickly thanks to the team’s familiarity with Ricoh’s operating software.

“That was part of the attraction, as a business owner – I really like the simplicity of some of the new features, like setting up registration. When you’re scratching your head, because an operator’s on holiday, it’s a lot more self-explanatory, or even automated,” Taylor said.

“The first day of training was good, it showed some of the finer points, but to be honest we tend to just jump in and start playing around with different materials, writing profiles and seeing what works.”

The Ricoh’s ability to print on a variety of stocks with an extended gamut made the higher price point well worth it for Offsite, he added.

“We’re not the kind of company where we’re doing pallets of print. The versatility of what the machine offers, and the output on uncoated is particularly good; we’re used to the white, we’re used to gloss, and we’re playing with the neon to really push that gamut. 

“We do a lot of print for fashion brands, and they’re always asking for uncoated, matt-looking finishes but not in the quantities or timescales that would allow us to outsource a lithographically printed sheet – they want it now, they want 50 copies of it.”

The new press’ high resolution – “theoretically double” the old model, at 2,400x4,800dpi – will be a bonus upgrade, but for Taylor, the real financial sense in the investment was in click charges.

“It was a good machine, well maintained by Ricoh. We did want to up the output, and improve the product, and the C7500 has a number of definite selling points, but also the click rates are lower,” Taylor said.

“While the cost of entry may be higher, the lower click rates have made each job more profitable. With the new press, we can even approach the trade market a little bit more in our local area.”

Alongside the new machine, Offsite Digital operates a stable of wide-format equipment, including Epson, Mimaki and Roland DG kit, and a finishing equipment lineup that includes Duplo and Morgana machines alongside a traditional hot foil press from Metallic Elephant.

The firm turns over around £600,000 annually from its site in Great Dunmow, Essex.