HENKAKU Live: Unlock Print Growth Through Co-Innovation

Unleashing New Growth Opportunities in Production Print

The production print market is evolving rapidly. Print Service Providers (PSPs) are facing increasing pressure from rising sustainability expectations, tighter margins and growing demand for shorter print runs, personalised applications and faster turnaround times. To remain competitive, PSPs need more than new technology. They need the ability to adapt, innovate and uncover new ways to create value for their customers.

These challenges and opportunities were explored in Ricoh’s "HENKAKU Live: Unleash. Your Investment." - webinar, where industry experts discussed how PSPs can future-proof their operations, unlock new revenue streams and maximise the return on their production print investments.

Why Co-Innovation Is Driving Print Transformation

One of the central themes of the HENKAKU Live series is Co-Innovation. In today's print landscape, transformation is not driven by a single technological breakthrough. Instead, it comes from bringing together the right mix of technologies, expertise and partnerships to create an integrated production environment. This ecosystem combines:

• Advanced production hardware
• Intelligent workflow software
• Expanded media capabilities
• Strong collaborative partnerships

Together, these elements help PSPs improve efficiency, diversify their services and enter new markets with confidence. Through co-development, co-enhancement and co-innovation with customers and partners, Ricoh helps businesses respond to changing market demands while creating measurable commercial value.

Powering Growth with the RICOH Pro™ C9500

At the centre of this transformation is the RICOH Pro™ C9500, a production print platform designed to support high-performance and highly flexible production environments. Developed to help PSPs expand their application portfolio and improve profitability, the platform continues to evolve through innovations that unlock new opportunities for growth.

Expanding Media Possibilities with RICOH MediaMax

One of the latest developments is RICOH MediaMax, which significantly increases the range of substrates the Pro C9500 can handle.

Key capabilities include:

• Support for media up to 800 microns and 600 gsm
• Production on paperboard and recyclable substrates
• Greater access to sustainable alternatives to plastic-based materials
• New opportunities in premium retail, packaging and display applications

These capabilities enable PSPs to move beyond traditional commercial print and into higher-value sectors where demand continues to grow.

Delivering Premium Finishes with Matte Fuser Belt Technology

The Pro C9500 also benefits from Matte Fuser Belt Technology, enabling operators to switch seamlessly between gloss and matte finishes. The result is a premium, offset-style appearance that helps printed materials stand out. Benefits include:

• A sophisticated matte finish with reduced surface reflection
• Enhanced visual impact across a wide range of applications
• Greater flexibility without compromising productivity

Together, these innovations transform production print equipment from a manufacturing asset into a strategic growth platform, helping PSPs increase profitability while meeting evolving customer demands.

Turning Sustainability into a Competitive Advantage

Sustainability is no longer a future consideration; it is a business necessity. Customers are increasingly seeking environmentally responsible products and suppliers, creating new opportunities for PSPs that can deliver sustainable alternatives without sacrificing quality or performance.

During the webinar, Ricoh highlighted examples such as Green Gift Cards, which has successfully transitioned from traditional plastic gift cards to paperboard-based solutions.

This approach demonstrates how sustainable production can deliver tangible benefits, including:

• Reduced carbon emissions
• Lower material waste
• On-demand production capabilities
• Greater operational flexibility

For many PSPs, sustainability is becoming a powerful differentiator that supports both customer acquisition and long-term growth.

Real-World Results from Leading PSPs

Forward-thinking print providers such as Latcham, Solopress and Flexpress are already using the Pro C9500 platform to strengthen their market position and expand their service offerings.

Their success highlights several key benefits:

• Faster delivery of premium print applications
• Expansion into higher-margin product categories
• Increased flexibility across substrates and finishes
• Improved profitability from short-run and personalised print
• Enhanced differentiation through sustainable print solutions

These examples demonstrate how the right combination of technology, strategy and innovation can deliver measurable business results. Explore customer success stories and real-world production print applications.

Maximising Profitability Through a Total Cost of Ownership Approach

While print quality and production speed remain essential, profitability ultimately depends on optimising the entire production environment.

Ricoh's Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) methodology provides a broader view of profitability by evaluating factors such as: Workflow efficience, media utilisation, Production scalability, opportunities to improve margins

By looking beyond the initial investment, PSPs can identify opportunities to streamline operations, reduce costs and maximise long-term value.

Creating a Future-Ready Production Print Business

The future of production print will be shaped by organisations that can adapt, innovate and respond quickly to changing customer requirements. The RICOH Pro™ C9500 has been developed to help PSPs do exactly that. Designed around evolving market needs, it provides a platform that can grow alongside a business and support new commercial opportunities as they emerge.

For print service providers looking to future-proof their operations, the opportunity is clear: invest in technologies, workflows and partnerships that improve efficiency, enable innovation and create new revenue streams.

By embracing co-innovation, expanding application capabilities and focusing on sustainable profitability, PSPs can build a more resilient, competitive and future-ready business.