New Ricoh Ri 100 DTG Printing System

Is the Ricoh Ri 100 for You? 

Ricoh has recently been excitedly showing their new desktop direct-to-garment printer, the Ri 100. On the surface, this system looks like a real winner for Ricoh. This unit is targeted at small businesses or corporates where simple garment printing is required. At $5,000 the budget constraints are far less than DTG printing systems costing between $20,000~$30,000.

The Ri 100 is based on the same small format printer used by Sawgrass for dye sublimation. The unit has been heavily modified for this application. The idea behind this unit was to offer a complete system with a small footprint in an "idiot-proof" operational capability. Ricoh has met its objective and more with this system. 

How does the Ri 100 DTG work?
The printing process seems relatively straightforward--a user loads the fabric in the cartridge (think of a laser paper tray), inserts the cartridge into a finisher to smooth out any creases and then prints. Printing an 8.5"x11" image takes about two minutes. The cartridge is then inserted into the heating/curing unit for about three minutes. The whole process takes a bit less than six minutes.

Once the curing is done, the garment or tote bag is ready for use. Since the printer is limited to CMYK and there is no white, all imaging must occur on white or light cotton materials.

What are the important facts about the Ri 100? 

• The system includes a printer and a curing unit combined.
• The prints are CMYK only which means light and white garments or bags.
• The image is limited to 8.5"x11".
• The total thickness of the fabric is limited to less than 1/8". Additionally, larger size garments cannot be utilized in this system due to the size of the garment tray. When a garment is folded, it must be no more than 1/8" thick and must fit into a tray that is a bit more than 8.5"x11", a small space.
• The system ships with a full set of CMYK ink, which is enough for about 500 shirts.
• The printer and curing unit has a list price of $5,000. Ink pricing is $72 for CMY cartridges and $87 for the Black cartridge. Ricoh state there is enough ink for approximately 500 shirts.
• The ink only works with cotton and no other fabric or material.
• The total time for printing, pressing and curing is about six (6) minutes per garment.
• There is no Postscript RIP so the imaging is basic.
• The cost per image can range anywhere from $0.60~$0.75 for ink costs.

What other product features should you consider? 

• The Ri 100 is limited in printing size to 8.5"x11".
• The Ri 100 is only CMYK and only prints on cotton, it is NOT dark or black capable.
• The Ri 100 takes about six minutes to complete from start to finish.
• The Ri 100 cartridges can only take a fabric, when folded and stuffed into a 8.5"x11" tray, 1/8". This really limits even the cotton that can be imaged.
• The Ri 100 does not have Postscript and cannot use standard graphics software.
• The Ri 100 can only image simple graphics.
• The Ri 100 printhead is limited to a one year warranty.
• The Ri 100 system is limited to letter size and has a price of $5,000. 

Before you make a decision to purchase a Ricoh Ri 100, please contact Graphics One, or one of our distribution partners, regarding how the Ricoh compares to the OKI Textile Transfer printers. Here is a small hint: our 11"x 17" CMYK printing systems with heat press start at $2,899, and it does far more than the Ricoh unit costing $5,000. 

Please contact sales@graphicsone.com or call 1-818-260-9591 for added info. 

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OKI's Pro8432WT Textile Transfer Printer Launched

OKI has unveiled the next generation white toner textile transfer printer, the OKI Pro8432WT. This new unit replaces the OKI Pro920WT and is available through Graphics One and its distribution partners in North America.

The new Pro8432WT is designed to fit any print shop, design studio or even a spare bedroom where space is at a premium. The printer and accessories do not require a great deal of room, yet provide a strong alternative to silk screen and other decorative methods. Thanks to its easy set-up, a user can be in business in a short period of time. 

Printing with white toner, the Pro8432WT can produce full-color transfers which are already weeded and ready for transferring to black, dark, light or white t-shirts. Manufactured to be compatible with virtually all of the transfer media brands, especially GO's FlipIt 2.0, the unit offers immediate access to high-value revenue opportunities with minimal investment. 

Amazingly the Pro8432WT is compatible with so many different transfer media and can be used to decorate virtually any substrate from cotton and man-made synthetic fibers to metal, glass acrylic and even wood. Graphics One offers a wide array of media types for use with the new printer. Additionally, by combining the unit with a swing away heat press--such as the Fuze 1620 or the Hotronix Fusion--a full system has a far lower price than other digital printing technologies such as direct-to-garment, sublimation and even screen printing. 

The Pro8432WT design is optimized for transfer media printing using specialty toner technology which delivers strong white opacity and vivid colors which last in the wash. 

Best of all the list price of $6,895 is less than competing technologies and can be combined with heat presses for a complete system at less than $8,000. Included with each printer is the GO OKI Start-up kit which includes toner, paper, professional t-shirt folder, heat resistant gloves, heat resistant tape and dispenser, webcam for training and other unique add-ons only offered via Graphics One and their distribution partners. 

For added information regarding the OKI Textile Transfer Printers please call +1-818-260-9591,  write sales@graphicsone.com or click here:  OKI Pro8432WT Info. 

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What Are Major Differences Between New OKI Pro8432WT and OKI Pro920WT

More Reliable with Smaller Footprint at a Lower Price

We have received a number of questions regarding the differences between the Pro8432WT and the Pro920WT from OKI Data. The following provides a brief comparison:

Main Differences Between the OKI Pro8432WT and the OKI Pro920WT

1. The Pro84323WT is based upon new print engine technology.  The OKI Pro829WT is based upon technology which is almost ten years old.

2. The Pro8432WT weighs approximately 80 pounds and the Pro920WT is approximately 160 pounds, twice the weight.

3. The Pro8432WT is far more compact and has a much smaller footprint than the Pro920WT printer.

4. The Pro8432WT has a two-year onsite warranty and the Pro920WT has a one-year onsite warranty.

5. The Pro8432WT has a paper range of 64 to 256 gsm. The Pro920WT accepts 75 to 216 gsm.

6. The Pro8432WT offers tabloid size (11”x17”) whereas the Pro920WT offers tabloid extra size (12”x18”).

7. The Pro8432WT set of full toners (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and White) lists for $818 whereas the Pro920WT toner set list price is $913.

8. The Pro8432WT has a list price of $6,895 and the Pro920WT lists for $7,495.

What does this mean? The New OKI Pro8432WT offers new technology at a lower price with a smaller footprint and even better reliability than the OKI Pro920WT printer.

For more information please click: Pro8432WT Info or call +1-818-679-8075.

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