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Ricoh Pro C9500

Pro C9500 boasts a CMYK dry toner print engine with 2,400dpi resolution, says Simon Eccles

quality is improved and the media han-
dling is beefed-up for a wider range of
stocks – 40-470gsm – as well as provision
for longer stocks up to 960mm. Even
longer banner lengths can be handled up
to 1.2m if the optional Plockmatic feeder
is purchased. These maximum lengths
can be duplex printed, then handled at
the output end by the optional
Plockmatic create- trimmer. Another fin-
ishing option is the GBC Streampunch.
New fuser technology improves image
quality across the full range of media.
The gloss level of the toner can be
adjusted to match the media, from high
gloss through to matt for uncoated litho
grades.
What does it do? in Telford at the beginning of October. Some of the paper transfer hardware
This is a new flagship dry toner digital The Pro C7500 announcement followed has been changed, such as a larger and
press in the Ricoh Pro C9xxx series, in September. Heidelberg announced its harder nip drum and larger and softer
replacing the C9200 first seen in 2018. It Specifications versions in late September. transfer rollers. There is better front-to-
is a long-SRA3 format CMYK printer Target markets for the Pro C9500 are back registration that takes different cov-
built for high volumes and duty cycles, Colours CMYK much the same as for previous models: erage (and so potentially uneven
available in either 115ppm or 135ppm commercial printers that need a solid distortion) into account.
configurations; for the first time from Resolution VCSEL reliable performer for high monthly vol- The digital front-end is still Fiery
Ricoh you can field upgrade from the 2,400x4,80dpi umes. Tim Carter, commercial print based, but on a more powerful platform.
slower configuration to the faster. It has a director at Ricoh, says that the ROI will
new print engine and significant Speed 115 or 135ppm be “more aggressive” than the C9200. There are two options, for mid-range pro-
improvements to quality, speed, automa- Monthly duty cycle “Ricoh is going after litho markets with duction and VDP requirements.
tion and media range. up to 1m A4 pages this new machine and wants to make it Workflows supported include Ricoh’s
Ricoh followed up with the announce- attractive to printers considering migrat- own TotalFlow, but also third parties
ment of the Pro C7500, replacing the Pro Max media size ing into digital. The more cost effective it such as Prinect and Prinergy can be
C7200. This is slower than the C9500 at 330x960mm with is, the quicker the migration will be.” seamlessly integrated.
75 or 95ppm, while having the same option for up to The C7500 is likely to appeal to com- A new C9500 option is Auto Color
quality characteristics, but with the 1.2m length mercial or inplant printers with lower Diagnosis, on-the-fly colour management
option of a fifth unit for extra colours or Media weights volume needs, or those that would like to that reads the characteristics of each
embellishments. 40-470gsm add value through the fifth unit’s choice sheet and compares it to the original
Heidelberg will rebadge these presses of extra colours and embellishments. ripped file. If there is a difference it auto-
as the Versafire LP and LV, replacing its Media capacity Current toner options are white, silver, matically adjusts it for each sheet. This is
2018 EP and EV models. 18,100 sheets gold, fluorescents or clear gloss. particularly relevant to brands that want
Note too that Ricoh is currently count-
ing down to the European introduction How does it work? to avoid varying appearances. A further
of its B2 format sheetfed inkjet press, the Carter says that improvements to the option involves the new Auto Color
Pro Z75, towards the end of this year. C9500 are a mix of technical progress Adjuster, an ICC profile-based system
together with responses to requirements which can match appearance between
When was it announced and what identified in user feedback on earlier different printers, even different pro-
markets is it aimed at? machines, plus ideas about where mar- cesses such as digital-to-litho, or toner-
The Pro C9500 was announced at the kets are headed. to-inkjet. There is an improved 21.5in
beginning of August, with a UK introduc- The core is a CMYK dry toner print operator panel covering all printer opera-
tion at Ricoh’s Print Evolution Live event engine with 2,400dpi resolution. Image tions.
“Target markets for the Pro C9500 are much the same as for previous models.”

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