Ricoh launches Ri 1000 Direct to Garment printer

Ricoh has launched the Ri 1000 Direct to Garment (DTG) printer providing imaginative print providers with a fast and flexible production solution that delivers exceptional image quality.

Appearing at FESPA, Munich, May 14 to 17, in response to the growing demand for easy to use, efficient and affordable garment decoration solutions, the Ri 1000 supports the adoption of value added services in new markets. It joins the Ri 100 and Ri 6000 in Ricoh’s rapidly expanding DTG portfolio of solutions.

Faster than the Ri 3000 it replaces, the Ri 1000 delivers greater print quality with enhanced resolution of 1200 dpi x 1200 dpi and supports CMYK plus white ink to ensure dazzling results on fabric of any colour.

The Ri 1000’s application flexibility is supported by a new pre-treatment liquid suitable for 100% light polyester and polycotton blends. This opens up greater opportunities for garments and textile products in a number of sectors including sports.

Quick operation and production versatility are made easy with the ability to smoothly switch between multiple styles of platens up to 406.4 mm x 508 mm. The Ri 1000’s magnetic mechanism enables the platens to easily snap on and off without the need for additional tools. This flexibility supports continuous production and a wide range of print capabilities from children's sizes to super wide designs.

“The Ri 1000’s comprehensive functionality, production flexibility and versatility make it the ideal option for personalised garment printing and print on demand services,” says Graham Kennedy, Head of Commercial Ink Jet Business, Commercial and Industrial Printing Group, Ricoh Europe. “It delivers the perfect combination of smart technology, fast print speeds and high output quality to enable creative print providers to capture genuine business growth opportunities. Its four Ricoh print heads, robust product design, advanced features such as temperature and humidity sensors, and precise ink supply monitoring assure consistently reliable high quality results.”

Minimal maintenance with customisable cleaning options maximises production uptime. For those maintenance tasks that aren’t automated, the device’s 7-inch touchscreen display provides smart alerts notifying operators when to perform manual maintenance tasks.