The 130ppm device, which was bought direct from Ricoh, was installed at the Dorchester-based firm’s premises in October. It has replaced a Xerox iGen4 - the first to be installed in the UK - which had reached the end of its contract.
ADP said it is already benefitting from the ability to print higher quality on a wider range of stocks, a more economical click rate and lower energy bills.
The ability to print onto a long banner sheet of 700mm in length was an essential requirement, the company said, as its previous Xerox press had this capability. The Ricoh device can also handle heavier media stocks, including envelopes.
ADP production manager Steve McFarlane said: “It’s been absolutely fantastic. The paper path on the Ricoh machine is almost perfectly straight and flat, which means we can get massive weight of substrates through.
“All we lost compared to the iGen4 was 30mm on the width of the sheet but we gained it on the length.”
He added: “The ability to use the heavier boards means that when it comes down to doing business cards we can really push the boundaries on the machine because the paper path is that flat.
“We can also run clear stocks through the Ricoh machine, which we couldn’t do with the iGen, and we’ve also been testing magnetic coated stocks.”
The company considered alternatives including the Xerox iGen 150 and iGen5 and the Kodak NexPress but it found the Ricoh machine to be the best fit for the business.
The firm also operates finishing equipment including a Morgana DocuMaster Pro and DigiFold Pro, a Lamibind Megabind PUR bookbinder and a Matrix laminator as well as thermoforming, drilling and punching kit.
ADP, which has seven staff and a turnover of around £500,000, was previously the digital print department of the old Friary Press. The firm was established nine years ago when current ADP owner and director Charles Anderson purchased Friary’s digital department from its then owner, Media and Print Investments.
ADP remains based at the old Friary Press site and produces work including variable data direct mail, fine art prints, perfect bound books and magazines for clients including graphic designers, publishers, charities, print management companies, artists, retailers and local businesses.
