Tag Systems UK spearheads sustainable gift and loyalty card innovation with investment in a RICOH PRO™ C9500

Leading global gift and loyalty card specialist Tag Systems UK (member of AUSTRIACARD HOLDINGS), is spearheading an innovative approach to sustainable gift and loyalty card production following investment in a Ricoh Pro C9500 digital colour sheetfed press.

Operating from a 120,000 sq. ft. Visa and MasterCard secure facility in Lancashire England, Tag Systems UK has been co-innovating with Green Gift Cards, a British developer of environmentally friendly cards, to produce a wide range of sustainable options, on Ricoh’s Pro C9500 technology. The result is the creation of new long-term opportunities in the production of gift and loyalty cards.  

Valued at $984.3 billion in 2023, the global gift card market is expected to reach a huge $3.09 trillion by 2030. But much of the production is plastic based. Nat West Bank research found that the lack of recycling options meant more than 76 million cards, or 380 tonnes of plastic waste went to landfill between 2017 and 2023 in Great Britain alone. 

It is not only disposal that is an environmental challenge. Most cards are currently printed on non-recyclable PVC plastic that have an associated carbon emission impact of 46.97gCO2e per card when digitally printed. Cards that are digitally printed on a paper-based substrate are fully recyclable and have a carbon emission impact of just 4.28gCO2e each*. 

To date production of rigid, high caliper, digitally printed paper-based stock was not possible on dry toner presses, but the latest technology evolution of the Pro C9500 now enables printing on a range of Ricoh approved papers of up to 800 micron.

This versatile and responsive digital production process also supports the profitable and cost-effective provision of short runs, targeted offers, and localised promotion with inline personalisation and coding capabilities.

Ronnie Hart, President, Tag Systems UK (member of AUSTRIACARD HOLDINGS), comments: “It is clear the gift card market is ready for this innovative solution that has been co-created with Green Gift Cards and Ricoh. It can help brands deliver the same high quality, vibrant and attractive product, but in a responsible way that enables them to achieve their sustainable goals. They can also develop cost efficient short run, responsive, customised offerings that connect more engagingly to improve consumer experience and foster loyalty.”

The crisp, vibrant, sharp, details possible present opportunities for the production of a wide range of applications as well. These range from premium thick media brochures and bespoke luxury packaging to compostable food cartons, high impact direct mail inserts, and eyecatching point of purchase.

Data for customised production can be managed by FusionPro for versioning and personalisation, while RICOH ProcessDirector™ and Green Gift Cards’ own web to print solution JARVIS enable companies to create gift card orders, at any time, via a fast, intuitive step by step process.  They can also track progress in real time. This saves time, speeds up proofing to production, eliminates unnecessary costs, and ensures the client has control over the whole process.     

Tim Carter, Commercial Print Director, Graphic Communications, Ricoh UK, comments: “This partnership is a perfect example of how Ricoh co-innovates with its customers and the wider market to address some of the most pressing challenges that we face and, equally, to benefit from the opportunities presented to us.” Tim continues: “I am very passionate about the future of our industry. True partnership and collaboration are crucial if we want to continue demonstrating the positive impact of print across different sectors.”

Erwin Busselot, Director Business Innovation & Solutions, Graphic Communications, Ricoh Europe, says: “This new opportunity has been developed through co-innovation with all three parties – each of whom are leaders in their fields. The result is a clear approach to market for the production of sustainable gift cards that have a greatly reduced environmental impact compared to their plastic alternatives. Tag Systems UK is the latest of a growing number of clients in Europe and further afield take advantage of this wonderful high margin opportunity, particularly with the enhanced Pro C9500 and improved software capabilities.”

* Source. CarbonQuota, Product Carbon Footprint, September 2024