Ricoh adds LogoJET direct-to-object printers in US

Ricoh USA has formed a strategic partnership with LogoJET, adding small-format direct-to-object UV printers to its graphic communications portfolio.

Under the agreement, Ricoh will offer LogoJET's printers alongside its existing production hardware, software, workflow tools and services. The move targets print businesses looking to add direct-to-object capabilities to existing operations.

Direct-to-object printing places images and text directly onto items rather than onto flat paper or board. This opens applications in promotional products, branded merchandise, signage components and functional parts used in broader marketing campaigns.

Commercial print businesses and in-plant operations are under pressure to handle shorter runs, faster turnarounds and more customised jobs while controlling costs. Ricoh cited a forecast that the US direct-to-object printing market will grow at a compound annual rate of 9.5% between 2025 and 2030.

Bringing this type of production in-house can reduce outsourcing and shorten delivery times. It also gives print service providers another route into print-for-pay work and more specialised jobs beyond conventional two-dimensional substrates.

North America role

Under the deal, Ricoh becomes LogoJET's first distribution partner in North America, giving the Louisiana-based manufacturer broader access to Ricoh's sales and support network across the US and Canada.

The partnership also extends Ricoh's effort to connect different parts of the print room, from job intake and workflow automation to production and finishing. Customers will be able to place direct-to-object systems into mixed environments that may already include sheetfed, inkjet, wide-format and finishing equipment.

LogoJET makes industrial UV inkjet printers for dimensional and specialty items. Its machines are designed to print on materials including wood, metal, acrylic, plastics, glass, leather, ceramics, stone, vinyl and rubber.

Some systems also support rotary printing for curved and cylindrical objects, expanding use across awards, packaging, retail items and signage, as well as standard promotional goods.

Portfolio expansion

The agreement reflects a broader print industry trend as manufacturers and distributors seek new revenue in adjacent applications. Direct-to-object printing has attracted providers that want to diversify output without moving away entirely from established production workflows.

Ricoh said the machines will be backed by consulting, workflow design, software integration and related services. Its role will go beyond hardware distribution to helping customers assess how direct-to-object production fits into current operations.

Andrew Vecci, Director, Product & Portfolio Management, Ricoh North America, said: "DTO represents a natural extension of digital production for customers looking to diversify and grow. By combining LogoJET's DTO platforms with Ricoh's expertise in production print integration, customers gain a scalable way to add new applications while fitting DTO seamlessly into their existing production environments."

His comments highlight a key challenge for print providers moving into new formats: integrating unfamiliar equipment into existing software, staffing and finishing processes. Suppliers are increasingly positioning new print segments not as stand-alone investments, but as additions to a connected production line.

For LogoJET, the arrangement marks a step beyond its previous direct-sales approach. The company, which has operated for more than 20 years, has focused on equipment for businesses that want to bring customisation work into their own facilities.

Susan Cox, Chief Executive Officer & Founder, LogoJET, said: "Direct-to-object printing is one of the fastest ways for print providers to expand into higher-margin applications, from signage to promotional products. Through our partnership with Ricoh, we're extending this capability across their vast network, with aligned support and a shared customer-first culture. We're excited and proud to take this step beyond our direct sales model, and Ricoh was a very intentional choice."

Ricoh is headquartered in Tokyo and operates in around 200 countries and regions. In the financial year ended March 2025, Ricoh Group reported worldwide sales of 2,527 billion yen, or approximately USD $16.8 billion.