Ricoh has partnered with Alzheimer’s Research UK to launch an innovative digital postcard tool to bring families closer together with personalised, printed images.

Printed Memories invites users to create a personalised postcard to send to a loved one with dementia to stay connected but is open to anyone wishing to send a message via the platform.

The Printed Memories programme utilises Ricoh’s proprietary technology and production workflow, allowing users to upload a photo of a memory with a loved one and add a personal message before it is printed and sent to the recipient.

Data is received and processed by Ricoh’s Telford facility and requires no manual intervention at any point in the production to see the job through, as it is fully automated from the arrival of the job, through to set up, print, finishing and fulfilment.

Currently, postcards can only be sent to recipients across Europe and the portal is available in English, Polish, Spanish and Italian, but more languages will be added over the year.

Javier Diez-Aguirre, vice president, corporate marketing, CSR & environment at Ricoh Europe, says: “I am extremely proud of our Printed Memories portal and the broader programme we are running with our friends at Alzheimer’s Research UK. Thanks to our technology and people, we can help bring families closer together and raise vital funds for Alzheimer’s Research.

“Dementia, of which Alzheimer’s is the leading cause, is one of the world’s greatest medical challenges and I believe that corporations like Ricoh have an important role to play in raising awareness and making a real impact on the future.”

Timothy Parry, director of communications and partnerships at Alzheimer’s Research UK, adds: “The generosity, support and technology know-how shared by Ricoh is playing a powerful role in helping those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias to stay connected.

“The Printed Memories portal demonstrates the unique strengths that partnership can unlock in the battle to combat these diseases. Ricoh’s staff can be proud that they are supporting our mission to bring about the first life-changing dementia treatment by 2025 in meaningful ways.”

The partnership between Ricoh and Alzheimer’s Research UK was first established in 2017.

A donation of £1 will be collected from each postcard sent, with all proceeds going to Alzheimer’s Research UK.

First published on Print Monthly