The manufacturer showed the press for the first time in public at last year’s Igas show in Japan.

Key features of the Pro Z75 including auto-duplexing, and the ability to print onto offset coated as well as plain and inkjet coated paper from 60-400gsm without a primer. The registration system is described as “unique”.

Speed is 4,500iph, resolution is 1,200x1,200dpi and it uses water-based inks and two drying systems.

Tim Carter, commercial print director at Ricoh Graphic Communications told Printweek that beta testing at US-based customer Heeter had been successfully concluded.

“The first shipments are imminent. It does represent a major breakthrough in terms of our entry into cut-sheet inkjet and the combination of technologies we’re using.

“It’s very unique, very powerful, and we’re very excited about it.”

Carter reported “overwhelming” interest in the new device from potential customers in the UK.

“We have built up a very strong pipeline and I think it will be a relatively short time before we can announce the first customers to embark on this investment in the UK – that will be weeks rather than months. The first shipments in Europe will happen in 2023,” he said.

“We see massive opportunities around the offset to digital migration as well as customers being able to benefit from a digital workflow, without compromising on media flexibility and image quality.”

While other details, such as pricing, remain under wraps for the time being, a virtual showcase of the Pro Z75 will be included in Ricoh’s upcoming customer event at its Telford base in early October for its flagship new toner devices.

A new Ricoh video posted on LinkedIn also highlights the quality being produced by the Pro Z75.

The Pro Z75 has involved around five years of development, with initial plans held back by the pandemic.