Images_Digital_Edition_April_2019

PF DIGITAL PRINTING www.images-magazine.com 92 images APRIL 2019 In March, Ricoh introduced the Ri 1000 DTG printer along with a new pre-treatment liquid that allows for the printing of 100% light polyester and polycotton blends, opening up more opportunities for printers. The company says the new Ri 1000 is faster, has a higher resolution and a wider print area than the Ri 3000 that launched in 2017 and which it is replacing. It offers a resolution of 1,200 x 1,200 dpi and supports CMYK plus white ink. “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,“ reports Ricoh. “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.“ It promises minimal maintenance with customisable cleaning options. Operators are prompted to carry out maintenance tasks that aren‘t automated thanks to the Ri 1000‘s 7“ touchscreen display which provides ‘smart alerts‘. “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 at 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.” www.ricoh.co.uk Roland DG says that with the release of the new BT-12 direct-to-garment printer, it has “upped its garment customisation game“. The company continues: “With a comfortable learning curve and a small footprint, this compact DTG printer is ideal for anyone looking to invest in a quick and easy garment printer. Print service providers can dip their toes in the garment customisation waters and experiment without worrying about a costly investment. It’s also a great solution for retail spaces and exhibition stands, making it possible to print T-shirts and tote bags in a matter of minutes.“ The process is simple, reports Roland DG. First, the garment is loaded into the cartridge, which is then slotted into the HB-12 unit to preheat and remove creases. Then the cartridge is placed in the printing unit and the artwork is loaded. The device doesn’t require specialist RIP software and operates in much the same way as a standard home desktop printer. When the item has been printed, the cartridge is returned to the HB-12 unit to cure the ink. “All in all, the process takes around 10 minutes, which makes it possible to create a while-you- wait personalisation service,“ Roland concludes. www.rolanddg.co.uk Printing on polyesters is possible on the Ricoh Ri 1000 with the brand‘s new pre- treat liquid Ricoh: Ri 1000 Roland DG: BT-12 Roland DG says its new BT-12 DTG printer is “a grea t solution for retail spaces an d exhibition stands“