This is the Pro C5100s from Ricoh's stable. The equipment was installed by Heidelberg India.

 

The Pro C5100s can produce from the most basic to the most complex mixed-media jobs at a low cost per page. It can keep productivity at maximum speed while moving from one project to the next with easy-to-use controls, high image quality and automated in-line finishing. Other features include stapling, hole punching, multi-folding, saddle stitching, cover insertion and professional-grade booklet making. The machine offers a print resolution of 1200x4800dpi at the output speed of 65ppm.

 

Traditionally an offset printer, Patel saw moving into the digital space coming his way when his clients approached him with demands of shorter runs. "Today, a printer has to move on to become a solution partner for their clients. This entails investing in different technologies and putting together an end-to-end solution," said Patel.

 

However, for Patel, the Ricoh investment is not simply a complement to its offset facility. "While digital printing opens up the avenues for providing short-run jobs to our customer, our aim is to create product-based solutions for them. This entails knowing the technology, the capabilities of the machine, and more importantly, the needs of your client. Sometimes, you need to foresee their needs," he said.

 

Patel is among the very few offset printers in Ahmedabad to adopt digital. "More often than not a printer is driven by the cost of production and operations and may refrain from adopting technology. However, if the motto is to be solution-driven, then it all eventually falls in place."

 

Soon enough, Patel will shift the operations of Smruti to Changodhar, a village in Sanand taluka, where most of the packaging action of the city is. In a couple of years, the Patel will also add packaging capacities to Smruti's operations.