Coventry-based Scorpion Sports, the lucky winner of a new Ricoh Ri DTG 100 printer package in late 2020, plans to use the machine to access new markets.

After being revealed as the winner of a new Ricoh Ri 100 Direct to Garment (DTG) printer in October 2020, sports kits and leisurewear provider Scorpion Sports says it plans to use the versatile machine to help explore opportunities in the short-run and personalised print markets.

Scorpion Sports won the new printer package – which, along with the Ricoh Ri 100 DTG printer, also included a print tray, a heat tray and a full set of CMYK inks – following the ‘Win with Ricoh’ competition which attracted entries from businesses across the UK.

Coventry-based Scorpion Sports, one of the UK’s preferred suppliers of sportswear and accessories for clubs, schools and colleges across the UK and beyond, was randomly selected as the winner and – now it has taken delivery of its prize – the company’s thoughts are firmly focused on how it can best use the device to grow its business.

Marc Lord, Manager of Scorpion Sportswear, said while the Ricoh Ri 100 DTG will mainly be used for short runs of branded T-shirts and hoodies, such as for sports tours and stag and hen parties, the company is keen to explore how the machine can help it enter other profitable markets.

“If we identify a product or certain type of service that would prove popular with our customers, then we will look to move into these markets,” Lord says.

With a small footprint and simple print workflow, the Ricoh Ri 100 is as easy to use as a standard desktop printer. With eco-friendly, water-based inks, it offers lots of creative potential for short and single run items. In just minutes it can print colourful designs, bold slogans and even sharp photographs directly to T-shirts, sweatshirts, shopping bags, cushion covers and more, personalised for every customer.

Lord said the competition win came at the ideal time for Scorpion Sportswear, as the company had been looking to add a new, high quality direct-to-garment printer for some time to strengthen production.

“We had been looking at DTG printers for a while, so when I heard about competition, I thought would give it a go,” Lord said. “I’ve never been lucky enough to win anything before, so it was fantastic to win a printer of this quality!”

The win came at the end of what was a difficult 12 months for many businesses, including Scorpion Sportswear, with the sportswear sector having been severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, with the support of its new Ricoh Ri 100 DTG printer, Lord says he is confident about what the future may hold for the business.

“We’re looking forward to normality returning,” Lord said. “It will be great to return the remaining furloughed staff, fire up the new Ricoh, our other printers and embroidery machines, and start doing what we love again.”

In order to encourage other businesses to enter this buoyant personalised and customised apparel market, Ricoh is offering 50% off the RRP for the Ricoh Ri DTG 100 printer until the end of March 2021.