Zalsman expands inkjet capacity with Europe’s very first Ricoh Pro VC70000

Zalsman, a leading graphics media solutions company based in the Netherlands has decided to expand its inkjet capabilities. Zalsman has placed Europe’s first order for the Ricoh Pro VC70000.

The Pro VC70000 will work well with its Pro VC60000 inkjet production system at its digital printing facilities close to Groningen. Director and co-owner of Zalsman, Herman Verlind says: “Inkjet is growing rapidly within our company and that growth is will only increase.”
 
Today, the Pro VC60000 is running at full capacity and Zalsman is planning to expand further. Frans Selles, the Director of Zalsman Innovative Print contributes: “By pushing the Pro VC60000 to its limits by for example, printing on 300 gsm paper we have collected an abundance of knowledge and experience in inkjet over the last 3 years. The Pro VC60000 delivers offset-like quality in inkjet on offset coated silk and gloss paper even at the high speed of 150 metres per minute.”
 
This will be the first production system that will feature Ricoh’s latest inkjet inks. The Pro VC70000 features a new drying technology that allows high coverage applications to dry quickly. This increases the range of application opportunities and lowers costs. The new inks also provide a substantial boost in colour gamut.
 
Zalsman’s digital printing turnover has now tripled since installing its first inkjet system. Now, it is nearly 30% of the total turnover. Verlind says: “This could become 50/50 by 2020. The high quality and efficiency of inkjet is causing print jobs to move from our offset presses and toner-based systems to inkjet. Our clients can no longer tell the difference regarding the final product. This allows us to continuously choose the most effective way to produce any individual order. We definitely see inkjet playing a major role.”
 
Eef De Ridder, Vice President Commercial Printing, Commercial and Industrial Printing Group of Ricoh Europe comments: “This new platform and these new inks are precisely what the printing industry has been waiting for and needs. For Zalsman, the combined print quality and versatility of our inkjet technology is enabling a significant transition from offset to digital.”
 
To support the Pro VC70000, Zalsman plans to install Tecnau finishing equipment.