French online printer Realisaprint.com has installed a Ricoh Pro Z75 B2 perfecting (auto-duplexing) sheet-fed inkjet press, the first global placement since the beta test at Heeter Printing in the USA. It is expected to provide the advantages of a sheet-fed machine with the low running costs and high productivity of inkjet.
Operating exclusively online, Realisaprint services over 50,000 customers across France, Spain and Italy from an 8000sqm production facility near Nice, France. It offers a range of products including brochures, flyers, signage, rigid panels and point of purchase displays. Dispatching up to 1500 order a day, the business has enjoyed year-on-year revenue growth of 25%.
The Pro Z75 inkjet will join an existing Ricoh Pro VC70000 web inkjet and two Ricoh C9200 sheet-fed dry toner presses. An important part of the purchase decision was the Pro Z75’s ability to connect to Realisaprint’s workflow automation, helping to optimise production efficiency. Data files relating to orders placed via the Realisaprint.com e-commerce site are automatically routed to the relevant production device based on size, volumes and preferred media. The new press will expand the format that can be printed on uncoated, inkjet treated or offset coated media to 585 x 750mm.
Realisaprint.com co-founder Rafael Mari said, ‘We are delighted to continue our close collaboration with Ricoh. Throughout the decision making process we were fully supported by Ricoh and its experts in Europe, Japan and America. The new press will enable the operation to continue to open up new sectors of the market such as commercial print applications, and it will also help to maximise our production capacity.’
Sander Sondaal, director, commercial print sales, Ricoh Graphic Communications, commented, ‘Boston Consulting Group reported that the most innovative companies build resilience and advantage. Realisaprint.com’s is one of those operations. Its investment in the Pro Z75 is the latest step in its successful transition to a streamlined operating model. It will sit between the operation’s sheetfed toner and high speed inkjet technologies to help ensure the consistent, fast delivery of high quality applications.’
He also suggested that further orders are expected to be announced soon.
