Dantex Group has signed a strategic agreement with Ricoh USA under which Ricoh will offer Dantex’s full Pico lineup as part of its production print portfolio across the United States and Canada.
The agreement expands Dantex’s presence in the North American label printing market, while adding digital label printing systems to Ricoh’s production print offering.
The partnership combines Dantex’s digital label printing technology and more than 60 years of industry experience with Ricoh’s production print operations, including its work in inkjet, colour management and workflow automation.
According to the companies, the agreement is intended to provide commercial printers with an opportunity to enter label production, while allowing established label converters to expand their digital production capabilities.
The portfolio includes the PicoColour 254, which has been relaunched as an updated version of Dantex’s entry-level digital press. The system is designed to provide a scalable entry point into digital and hybrid production.
The PicoColour 254 is available with either Dantex’s compact integrated finishing system or the GM DC350 finishing unit. With the latter configuration, the press can be converted from a roll-to-roll system into a roll-to-hybrid platform with inline finishing.
The PicoColour 254 will sit alongside Dantex’s PicoJet 1200 DRS, the company’s flagship press. Its Dynamic Resolution System uses patented technology designed to extend tonal range, reproduce fine detail and produce smooth gradients while maintaining production speeds.
Under the agreement, Ricoh will take a consultative approach with customers, assessing factors including application requirements, outsourced production, workflow, finishing, automation, capacity and return on investment.
The companies said this process will be used to assess how Dantex’s label printing systems could fit into existing production environments, as well as identify work that could be brought in-house and potential new applications and revenue streams.
Dantex CEO Ben Danon said: “This partnership represents a significant milestone in Dantex’s growth strategy and a major endorsement of the Pico platform. Ricoh’s scale, market presence and infrastructure will bring our technology to a much wider audience across North America.
“The label industry continues to evolve rapidly, with increasing demand for shorter runs, faster turnaround and greater production flexibility. Together, we are exceptionally well positioned to help customers capitalise on these opportunities and accelerate the adoption of digital label printing throughout the region.”
The agreement builds on an existing technical relationship between the two companies. Dantex has incorporated Ricoh inkjet technology into its digital label printing platforms for several years.
Andrew Vecci, director, product and portfolio management, Ricoh North America, added: “At Ricoh, we focus on helping customers identify and capitalize on new growth opportunities while building a path to long-term operational success. Combining Dantex’s specialist label expertise with Ricoh’s consultative approach characterised by our technology and solutions portfolio, integration capabilities, workflow experience, and support resources, together we can help customers determine how digital label production fits within their overall operation and provide a scalable, productive and commercially focused solution that enables them to expand applications, enhance output and drive profitable and sustainable growth.”
