A new Ricoh Pro C7110 digital press was installed around a month ago while an Ideal 7260 guillotine, which was bought from Ashgate Automation, was delivered to Hull-based Ditto’s 279sqm premises within the past two weeks. The Regional Growth Fund (RGF) helped to partially finance the kit investment.
The £260,000-turnover firm said the Ricoh machine has improved its turnaround times and doubled its capacity, while the Ideal device has created another job and relieved a bottleneck caused by the increase in work.
The C7110 has a fifth colour station for applying white, or a spot or flood clear gloss finish. It prints on stock up to 360gsm with a top resolution of 1,200x4,800dpi, and can also handle textured grades. Print speed is up to 90ppm. Maximum print format is SRA3 and the device can also produce documents up to 700mm in length.
Managing director Ron Fothergill said: “After an investment last year resulting in the installation of Roland & Epson wide-format printers and a Morgana Digifold finisher, we have continued to grow nicely.”
The business recently won Inca’s Best UK Digital Calendar Supplier award for the sixth year.
“Every year we win the award business increases. We are very excited about the Ricoh press which gives us so much more to offer our clients. The extra-long 700mm sheet size is perfect for three fold A4 panel brochures,” said Fothergill.
“Our clients are also loving the fact that they can now do spot UV and security printing. The print quality of this machine is excellent giving us near-litho quality.”
The business also considered alternatives from Xerox but opted for the Ricoh device due to its print quality and flexibility.
Both devices are additional to the company’s plant list and will join the aforementioned Roland DG VS-540 and Epson Stylus Pro 11880 printers and Morgana Digifold finisher as well as two Xerox DC5000 digital presses, a Morgana Documaster bookletmaker, a Foliant laminator and calendar binding and punching kit.
Ditto 4 Design has four staff and produces items including banners, posters, signage, flyers, business cards and letterheads for trade customers including design agencies.
