Ricoh Logo PNG
The Ricoh logo is bright and fiery. The emblem represents a flash of light and laser beams, reflecting the company’s core business. It demonstrates progress, innovation, leadership, and active growth and expansion.
Ricoh began through Riken, Japan’s Institute of Physical and Chemical Research, which wanted to commercialize its inventions through Rikagaku Kogyo. On February 6, 1936, Kiyoshi Ichimura separated its sensitized paper division and registered it as Riken Kankoshi Co., Ltd. The company started with 350,000 yen in capital and 33 employees.
In 1938, after entering camera production, Ichimura renamed the business Riken Optical Co., Ltd. and released the Olympic 4 camera. After World War II, wartime work in film chemicals and lens design was redirected to civilian products. In 1950, the Ricohflex III helped create Japan’s first mass-production system for cameras.
Ricoh’s main shift came in 1955 with the Ricopy 101, Japan’s first office copier. Its spread was strong enough that “to make a Ricopy” entered Japanese speech as a phrase for making a copy. The copier business later became the company’s base, with Xerox as the key rival. In 1962, Ricoh founded Ricoh Industries USA with $100,000, first importing cameras before moving into copiers. In 1963, after reaching 10 billion yen in annual sales, the company became Ricoh Company, Ltd.
In 1973, Ricoh opened Ricoh Electronics in Irvine, California, becoming the first Japanese company to make copiers in the United States. That year, it introduced the RIFAX 600S. This high-speed office fax sent an A4 page in 60 seconds and was demonstrated via satellite between Tokyo and New York. In 1983, Ricoh launched its first personal computer and laser printer. After a 1992 operating loss, it shifted harder into digital technology, later buying Lanier Worldwide, IBM’s printing systems unit, IKON Office Solutions, and Pentax from Hoya in 2011.
Meaning and History
The basis of the corporation’s logos has always been the word. Attention was focused on the manufacturer’s name and characteristics, and the assortment’s diversity was conveyed through color and font. The change in emblems was caused by major events in the company’s life: renaming and the release of progressive technological innovations to the market. In recent years, Ricoh has associated itself with bright colors, demonstrating a resurgence, a leap in growth and development.
What is Ricoh?
This Japanese company transformed the workplace by introducing multifunctional tools essential to various organizations. It is widely known for its professional cameras, copiers, and printers. Its GR series of compact cameras, popular among street photographers, is particularly valued for high image quality and portability. In the office market, the company is recognized for its high-speed industrial printers for print shops and smart MFPs with remote control and monitoring features. As a key player in office automation and document management, the company offers a unique approach that covers all stages from document creation to archiving.
1963 – 1976
In 1963, the company, which had previously been known as Riken Sensitized Paper Co, was renamed Ricoh. The main goal was to show the product range’s expansion (from paper to electronics). Due to the renaming, a change of logo was required.
The new sign was a concise name placed in a capsule.
The word Ricoh is formed by combining two parts from Riken and Cohesion. It conveys cohesion, creating a corporation in which each branch is aligned on a specific technology direction.
The name Riken consists of the first syllables from the phrase: Rikagaku Kenkyūjyo, denoting a physicochemical laboratory. In the previous name, it indicated the chemical production of photosensitive paper. In the new one, together with Cohesion, it shows expansion, including other subsidiaries within the organization and the addition of a whole range of products beyond paper production.
The capsule shape connects the company with scanners, printers, and cameras, as it strengthens the association with chemical processes that underpin image transfer to paper and film development, etc.
The oval shape speaks of completeness, a full cycle of services from copiers and fax machines to the paper for them.
1976 – 1986
1986 – 2005
2005 – today
The company spreads its name everywhere. It acquires and renames other companies (Ricoh Printing Systems, Ltd.). It acquires naming rights (Ricoh Arena). To demonstrate development, growth, and ambition, the logo changed in 2005.
The new emblem is a red Ricoh inscription. In the word, there is an open glyph, “R,” which symbolizes openness to innovations, research, and new projects. The tapered ends of the C resemble a horseshoe, a symbol of luck.
Font and Colors
The red shades in the logo’s base tell of rapid development and expansion. They demonstrate dedication, selflessness, and love for their work. The color reflects the Japanese people’s particular diligence, distinguishing them.
Red symbolizes success, leading positions, and worldwide fame.
The font of the inscription is Aeonis Pro Extended Heavy, but with a modified R. Even solid glyphs represent the corporation as strong and confident.