71 July / August 2024 - Issue 349 www.printmonthly.co.uk automated operation. He explains Xerox presses have high levels of automation in their DNA, reducing manual intervention, that self-monitor and adjust colour and image consistency on the fly and drive benchmark productivity. Secondly, O’Donnell recommends PSPs look for a platform for growth. In particular, he says to keep an eye out for a digital press that goes ‘BeyondCMYK’, not just additional colours such as gold, silver, white, and fluorescents, but also a range of capabilities such as wider paper and substrate support, smaller and larger formats, and finishing options. “These may not be features you require today so make sure you have an upgrade path that protects your investment,” he says, adding: “An example could be a Xerox Versant 280 user running CMYK who can upgrade in the field to an adaptive kit supporting additional colours such as gold, silver, white, clear, and fluorescent, market opportunities change and you should have the ability to adapt with it.” The Xerox Versant 280 is just one toner-based machine available from the manufacturer. As O’Donnell explains, Xerox has a portfolio of devices for the production space, starting with the Xerox Primelink through the Xerox Versant 280/4100, Xerox Iridesse, and Xerox iGen5. “The Xerox Versant 280 and Xerox Iridesse are the most popular digital presses in the market being productive, highly automated, and feature-rich including BeyondCMYK capabilities supporting up to 11 additional colours,” he says. Closing the Gap on Litho Rounding off a hattrick of brands is Ricoh. Brad Hyde, business development manager of Ricoh UK Graphic Communications, says there are plenty of benefits of working with toner-based machines, from the cost of running to low maintenance requirements. “Toner devices command much lower purchasing and running costs than their inkjet rivals,” Hyde says, continuing: “General maintenance tasks are also a factor when choosing toner over ink solutions, as toner devices have very little maintenance tasks to perform in comparison. “Ease of use is another huge consideration, on devices like Ricoh’s C7500 and C9500, media setup and optimisation for all substrates has now been automated, including registration front to back within just ten sheets.” During the past year, Ricoh launched the Pro C7500 five-colour engine and the flagship Pro C9500 model. Hyde says the C7500 provides the same quality as the C9500 and, being able to duplex a 960mm banner sheet in-line, has opened up new markets and new applications, such as upgraded single-pass white with four colours. Ricoh has also been working with Fiery for a greater opportunity to control the use of neon toners and expand the colour gamut. In addition, users can now run heavier boards, which in turn, Hyde says, allows for access into the light packaging market coupled with the extra colour units available: white, clear, neon pink, neon yellow, gold, silver, and UV red. Taking a broader look at the market, Hyde says when in the market for new technology, the most sought-after factor is productivity. To facilitate this, he says PSPs need to consider ease of use and training, such as the new RGCOS (Ricoh Graphic Communication Operating System). In addition to this, he says the front-end user interface makes the operator's life easier, which can then have a knock-on effect on productivity, something that is key in the high-volume toner market. “The UK market has always demanded their digital output to be more ‘litho-like’; that true flat appearance that is sometimes described as the Holy Grail,” Hyde comments, adding: “That gap between litho and digital is smaller than ever now. “Add to this the flexibility of what we can actually print onto in terms of both size and thickness, and you have something that you can sell to your customers that may otherwise need to be outsourced. “The technology in the field has been improved dramatically and continues to evolve at pace. This is where working with a trusted partner, such as Ricoh, for printing and digital service requirements provides real value. “We understand that productivity is a huge factor with toner-based presses and invested expertise and time in developing industry leading technology to ensure printers can deliver high-quality services to their customers.” Hyde’s closing comments offer a suitable conclusion to this discussion: investment in reliable toner-based machines from trusted and established suppliers will open all manner of new doors to the printer. Of course, this is by no means an easy decision, with many of the print industry’s leading manufacturers having a presence in the market and quality options on the table. However, by doing your research properly and speaking with brands about which machines are most suited to your business, you will soon identify the most effective investment options. ▲ Xerox says its Iridesse model is one of the most popular digital presses in the market ▼ The Pro C9500 is Ricoh’s latest flagship model TONER-BASED KIT Both the Xerox Versant 280 and Xerox Iridesse feature BeyondCMYK capabilities, supporting up to 11 additional colours Factoid
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