With regard to Ricoh copiers, what does that designation mean? How do they differ from other color copiers?
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Two things going on there.
B2C is about how the b&w and color clicks are handled. Basically, a b&w machine that also has color. Some color copiers can't separate out the solely b&w clicks and charge the color cpc for every click. B2C can make the distinction and charge accordingly.
"Creative color" is marketing spin to cover the fact that Ricoh B2C color isn't as good as some other manufacturers, such as Konica Minolta's. Our Ricoh trainer guy also used to say "pleasing color" or "office color". Boils down to bit depth. Their argument was the color produced by a Ricoh is fine for the average office user, who generally doesn't have as precise color requirements as a marketing dept or print4pay client.
You'll see Creative Color attached to the better Ricoh color products, ie., the 5560C , to indicate that its target market is the users who need more precise color than the average business user - evidenced by the availability of the Fiery controller with Command Workstation and better bit depth.
B2C is about how the b&w and color clicks are handled. Basically, a b&w machine that also has color. Some color copiers can't separate out the solely b&w clicks and charge the color cpc for every click. B2C can make the distinction and charge accordingly.
"Creative color" is marketing spin to cover the fact that Ricoh B2C color isn't as good as some other manufacturers, such as Konica Minolta's. Our Ricoh trainer guy also used to say "pleasing color" or "office color". Boils down to bit depth. Their argument was the color produced by a Ricoh is fine for the average office user, who generally doesn't have as precise color requirements as a marketing dept or print4pay client.
You'll see Creative Color attached to the better Ricoh color products, ie., the 5560C , to indicate that its target market is the users who need more precise color than the average business user - evidenced by the availability of the Fiery controller with Command Workstation and better bit depth.
Interesting, thanks
well said Shaja, bit depth is far more important to quality color than resolution.
if you have 8 bit 600X600 your quality will be much better than a 2 or 4 bit with a resolution of 2400X1800. Like a Konica minolta guy told me on resolution you can only put so many dot in an inch until they start to just pile up whereas the bit depth has to do with the color variation per pixel.
if you have 8 bit 600X600 your quality will be much better than a 2 or 4 bit with a resolution of 2400X1800. Like a Konica minolta guy told me on resolution you can only put so many dot in an inch until they start to just pile up whereas the bit depth has to do with the color variation per pixel.
Allow me to comment on this for a moment. Ricoh B2C is a strategy, not a product. The conecpt of B2C came about as an effort to transform B&W customers into color. The B2C strategy was to offer a system that was equivalent to B&W systems in every feature and function, with comparable B&W CPC. Most importantly, systems like this did not need a color specialist to sell as typical customers were just looking to make sure reference colors were in place (ie red apples, blue sky, and green grass) rather than specific color matches, as in Pantones. So it is more of a difference in color quality expectations by the user, not necessarily the color capabilities of the system.
I believe that the quality of all color systems today enable them to be positioned to support business applications as well as many demanding graphics applications. If you really want to understand the components that determine image quality, resolution and bit depth are only two components. They are the most referred to specifications as they are quantifiable. But dither pattern or how those dots are put into position has just as much impact on edge definition or smooth gradients. It's just that dither pattern cannot be quantified. That's why it is important to get past the bit depth discussion and have customers look at print samples. It's that end result that is important, not how you get to that point.
I believe that the quality of all color systems today enable them to be positioned to support business applications as well as many demanding graphics applications. If you really want to understand the components that determine image quality, resolution and bit depth are only two components. They are the most referred to specifications as they are quantifiable. But dither pattern or how those dots are put into position has just as much impact on edge definition or smooth gradients. It's just that dither pattern cannot be quantified. That's why it is important to get past the bit depth discussion and have customers look at print samples. It's that end result that is important, not how you get to that point.
quote:That's why it is important to get past the bit depth discussion and have customers look at print samples.
Good Point Eddie. Compare the color quality not the specs.
But what do the "B2C" letters actually stand for?
Correct. B2C means "Black to Color." This term was created about 5 years ago to designate the "next big thing" in the industry, which was the move from black & white output to color output in the office. Sort of along the lines of "A-to-D" for the Analog to Digital transition. I think the results of the last few years are proof that this revolution has happened (and is still happening).
And to re-iterate what Eddie 2 Times said, Ricoh color MFPs can be used in a B2C environment (traditionally defined as up to 30% color ratio in a mostly b/w workflow), but also work just as well in a more color-centric workflow (up to 80% color ratio). While "B2C" by definition is "business color" (sky is blue, grass is green), it doesn't mean "inferior color." And when you add an available Fiery controller, the Ricoh systems can be used for customers with higher-end color requirements, as the Fierys provide the means to manage the color to a level not possible with the Ricoh controller.
So to sum up, Ricoh color MFPs can be positioned in a variety of color environments, from B2C customers with occasional, business color requirements, to graphic departments who need pre-press comps and have very particular color management needs (e.g. Pantone matching).
And to re-iterate what Eddie 2 Times said, Ricoh color MFPs can be used in a B2C environment (traditionally defined as up to 30% color ratio in a mostly b/w workflow), but also work just as well in a more color-centric workflow (up to 80% color ratio). While "B2C" by definition is "business color" (sky is blue, grass is green), it doesn't mean "inferior color." And when you add an available Fiery controller, the Ricoh systems can be used for customers with higher-end color requirements, as the Fierys provide the means to manage the color to a level not possible with the Ricoh controller.
So to sum up, Ricoh color MFPs can be positioned in a variety of color environments, from B2C customers with occasional, business color requirements, to graphic departments who need pre-press comps and have very particular color management needs (e.g. Pantone matching).