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.