As commercial printers look to move beyond commodity print, Ricoh is helping drive the shift toward digital embellishment through technologies that combine specialty effects, faster turnaround and production flexibility to support higher-value, more differentiated print applications.
Digital embellishment is shifting from a niche or highly specialised offering to a commercial growth strategy, and Ricoh is helping to drive that shift with the Pro C7500, which is designed specifically to support that transition.
For many commercial printers, the challenge is no longer simply producing print efficiently. It is about finding ways to create work that stands out, commands stronger margins, and delivers greater value to customers in an increasingly competitive market.
As turnaround expectations shorten and print runs become more targeted and personalised, traditional embellishment methods can become less practical for shorter-run work due to setup time, complexity and cost.
Digital production technologies are helping change that equation by making specialty effects more economical for a broader range of applications.
With fifth colour station capabilities – including clear, white, gold, silver and neon toner options – printers can easily expand into more specialised applications with the Pro C7500, while maintaining the flexibility and responsiveness of digital production.
According to Henryk Kraszewski, senior product and marketing manager at Ricoh Graphic Communications Australia, one of the major advantages of the Pro C7500 is that it makes embellishment far more accessible and practical to produce in-house.
“Traditionally, many embellishment effects required multiple production steps or outsourcing to specialist providers, which added cost, complexity and lead time,” he tells Print21.
“The Pro C7500 enables printers to apply fifth-colour effects in a single-pass, which significantly streamlines production and reduces manual intervention. It allows print providers to produce premium applications more efficiently while maintaining tighter control over quality, scheduling and profitability.”
That proved valuable for Melbourne print provider Kwik Kopy Moonee Ponds, which recently deployed a Pro C7500 as part of a broader strategy to increase production capacity and diversify output offerings.
“As the business grew, we were finding it increasingly challenging to meet tight turnaround times, while also wanting to provide a new level of service and differentiation,” Vivek Patel, owner of Kwik Kopy Moonee Ponds, tells Print21.
“Our new Ricoh printer is really exceeding our expectations. It is reliable, delivers rapid throughput, and allows us to meet customer requirements for top-quality, fast-turnaround print jobs.”
From a business perspective, Kraszewski says embellishment technologies create opportunities for entirely new revenue streams and higher-margin work.
“Digital embellishment allows businesses to economically produce shorter runs with premium finishes, which is becoming increasingly important as brands demand greater agility and customisation,” Kraszewski explains.
“When printers can provide more premium, creative and personalised solutions internally, they become more valuable partners to their customers rather than simply commodity suppliers.”
Looking ahead, Kraszewski believes the market will continue shifting towards shorter-run, highly personalised and on-demand production, which strongly aligns with digital embellishment.
“As brands continue looking for ways to improve engagement and create more memorable customer experiences, demand for tactile, visually distinctive print will continue growing,” he adds.
As printers continue looking for ways to protect margins and create more distinctive offerings, digital embellishment is emerging not simply as a creative feature, but as a broader business strategy.
And for Ricoh, digital embellishment is about more than adding visual impact — it is about helping print providers build stronger, more sustainable businesses.
This article was first published in the May-June 2026 edition of Print21, page 16.