Available as of 1 September, the 3.2x2.1m machine was first unveiled to potential customers at Viscom Italy 2017, Milan, in October last year.

The T7210 was originally targeted at the interior decor and construction sectors, but feedback from the show and experience from a pre-launch model indicated that signage and POS would also be key markets.

It has been priced at circa-£200,000 for full configuration, which includes ColorGate RIP, delivery, installation, training and a one-year warranty.

Ricoh UK inkjet sales manager for industrial print Stewart Cobby said: “All of the customers who purchased the device across Europe are specialist commercial printers and sign and display providers, and already benefit from other Ricoh products and services.

“This printer has been introduced to address the UV print market, in addition to your traditional POS/board printing.

“We have no doubts that the new flatbed will be a very successful product, given Ricoh’s heritage in jetting and printhead development. This year, since we are coming to the market later than some of our EMEA colleagues, Ricoh UK will focus on building awareness around the product and our UV inkjet capabilities.”

The T7210 is capable of producing “sellable” prints at 50sqm/hr in production mode and has a high-speed mode of up to 100sqm/hr. It is designed to print easily onto a wide range of substrates up to 110mm thick.

It is manufactured with eight individually controlled vacuum zones in order to reduce the amount of masking required and increase productivity. It runs primer and clear ink channels alongside standard CMYK in order to run complete jobs in a single pass.

With an early release across Europe, 10 units have so far been installed on the continent.

Ricoh will next look at developing specialist inks and more inkjet products in order to extend its current offering, according to Cobby.