Delmar Press moves into digital with Ricoh technology

Delmar Press moves into digital with Ricoh technology

FULL STORY           Nantwich-based Delmar Press has recently invested in a Ricoh Pro C651EX digital press to expand its product offering and help it move into new markets. The new machine, which was installed at the end of May 2013, is the company’s first investment in true production level digital printing technology and is a welcome addition to its arsenal of litho presses that includes two five-colour presses and a two-colour perfector.

Said Larry Springthorpe, managing director, Delmar Press, ‘This is our first serious move into professional digital print production and we are very pleased with the results so far. What has really impressed me about the Ricoh machine even more than the high quality and production capabilities is its huge substrate versatility – printing on plastics or the ability to produce very high-end short run books, for example. We wanted more than a digital machine that just did the same as litho only in smaller runs. What we’ve got with the Ricoh, it’s truly flexible, high quality production machine.’

The Pro C651EX has been designed to raise the standard for productivity, efficiency, quality and profitability in digital print. It offers exceptional durability at up to 180,000 sheets per month and 65ppm in colour or mono. The machines VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser) technology ensures the highest image quality and 4800 dpi, with chemical PxP toner and oil-less technology for accurate, smooth offset-like image quality.

The Pro C651EX offers outstanding media versatility, accepting a wide range of substrates including card and plastics, and an improved fusing unit and high productivity up to 300gsm. A new liquid cooling system also provides extended and continuous printing, with enhanced ORUs (Operator Replaceable Units) and toner bottles, waste toner and media changes all achieved ‘on the fly’.

Springthorpe said he did consider other manufacturers when they made the decision to invest in digital, but selected Ricoh for two primary reasons: the quality and versatility of the product itself and the level of support and service provided by Ricoh throughout the process.

‘Around 12 months ago, we saw an opportunity in the market for us to move into digital and what the new Ricoh machine has now given us is a very strong complimentary production partner to our existing litho machines. We wanted something that would give us the chance to explore new markets and speak to new and existing customers about a range of exciting new products. There’s no doubt the digital machine, and all the support from Ricoh that comes with it, is giving us this opportunity and it’s a very exciting one for the business,’ said Springthorpe.

Concluded Gareth Parker, strategic marketing manager, Ricoh UK, ‘The team at Delmar Press is experiencing the results of a machine that has been specifically designed to give users maximum freedom and confidence to explore new markets. The Pro C651EX offers commercial printers a productive and cost-effective way to enter into the digital market with confidence, supported by the insight and long-term experience of the Ricoh team.’