Large format is high impact. There are two primary reasons for adding large format print capabilities to commercial or in-plant print operations. First, large format adds services to current print offerings. The second is proofing for offset equipment. New media, ink, and innovation drive business growth with large format. Retail point of purchase (POP) signage, vehicle wraps, and banner stand displays are just a few of the many applications that large format print offers. With the right equipment at your side, the doors open for new clients, while adding value to current customers.

"Commercial printers augment business with their existing customer bases by offering large format display graphics applications. They can extend their ability to offer short run solutions in large size capabilities," says Sal Sheikh, VP, Wide Format Printing Systems, Océ North America. "They can begin offering a wider range of applications that are ancillary to commercial printing including lenticular panels and POP displays. Adding large format digital printing capabilities gives commercial printers the ability to leverage large format jobs for larger commercial print runs: i.e. offer large format prototypes to high-volume commercial users," Sheikh adds.

Richard Reamer, senior manager, product marketing, large format printer group, Canon U.S.A., Inc., agrees, "One of the benefits of a commercial printer adding a large format printer is the ability to expand business by selling large format services. Industry analysts show this as one of the few areas commercial printers can expand profitably these days. In addition, it allows for different levels of proofing, and can be used as a lower cost solution for contract proofing if the printer is SWOP certified," he concludes.

The Basics

Many characteristics differentiate wide format devices. Factors include ink, substrate compatibility, and size. Digital Publishing Solutions defines wide format as output between 24 to 95 inches. Printers that produce widths over 95 inches are segmented as grand format. Both of these segments fall under the umbrella of large format. The categories are further divided by key characteristics such as type and price.

Inks
Three ink technologies make up the large format industry, each offering its own benefits and preferred applications—aqueous, or water based inks; solvent, which also includes more environmentally friendly eco-solvent; along with emerging truly eco-friendly inks including UV-curable, latex, and bio.

Aqueous inks are typically used for indoor applications, as they are not designed to stand up against inclement weather. I.T. Strategies’ 2008 Wide Format Graphics Market, 2007-2012, as seen in the August 2008 issue of Digital Output, states that aqueous printers currently make up 39 percent of total market revenues. A decrease from the mid-1990’s when aqueous printers made up over half of the total market revenue. "For the most part this is a replacement market," says Mark Hanley, president, I.T. Strategies, "Especially in the professional sectors where there is stiff competition from eco-solvent printers."

Solvent ink is most suitable for outdoor applications. These inks are durable, but contain high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC) which are not favorable to health and the environment. However, many manufacturers offer eco-solvent inks, which are less aggressive. Solvent inks are considered one of the ideal solutions for producing long lasting outdoor signage. I.T. states that solvent revenues will grow at a three percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2007 to 2012, driven by the sales of eco-solvent printers to small print shops. "The in-house segment is less impacted by eco-solvent printers," says Hanley. "Most likely because of issue with solvent odors, and remains a growth area."

Ultraviolet, or UV-curable, ink is on the rise. A relatively new technology, UV printers use inkjet technology to cure with UV light. "Print shops purchase these printers, both roll-to-roll and flatbed, for increased productivity and flexibility with relation to substrates," says Hanley.

Other innovations, such as latex, soy, and corn-based ink are gaining popularity, emerging as eco-friendly alternatives to the aforementioned ink choices.

Hardware
Similar to production presses, which typically offer continuous feed or cut sheet solutions, wide format printer manufacturers also offer a choice, flatbed or a roll-to-roll; and in some cases, a combination of the two—hybrid. With equipment choice it is important to consider the media that will most often run.

Each technology offers its advantages and disadvantages. Roll-to-roll devices offer media flexibility for running paper, fabric, vinyl, and other traditional media. These devices are designed to handle a majority of popular indoor and outdoor signage applications.

Flatbeds are gaining popularity for printing on rigid or specialty substrates. "When investing in wide format printers, many commercial printers don’t appreciate that many wide format applications are on rigid materials; not just papersheets," says Heather Kendle, director of marketing, Inca Digital Printers. "This means that once a sheet is printed, they must mount the material onto a rigid board. This is a very time—and cost—consuming activity that requires an inordinate amount of labor. Flatbed digital inkjet printers resolve this by printing directly on the substrate—as much as an inch thick or more. With the correct UV ink, plastics, wood, and other materials—including paper sheets—applications are easily printed. Display materials are not just for interior jobs, but exterior as well, and the ability to print items such as signs, two-sided window displays—and backlit units—can open up a new, wide range of possibilities for the commercial printer, without too much effort," Kendle adds.

Hybrid printers are an ideal solution for printers interested in both technologies, but are looking for a smaller footprint. They are also a consideration for those just entering the market. The downside, if the machine requires maintenance, you’re essentially loosing productivity on two machines.

The Applications
Adding wide format print means adding the ability to produce posters, banners, and related graphics. Offering banner stand bundles for retail and POP displays is an easy option for new services. Packaging and fine art giclée printing—although they require additional

resources such as a cutter or scanner—are also easy ways to vamp up service offerings.

Innovation lies at your fingertips with vinyl media—making trade show, wall, windows, floor, and vehicle graphics possible. Extreme creativity is brought to fruition on a flatbed device, digital print makes items such as fabric for decorating, fashion, and even furniture a possibility.

The Players
A wide range of large format manufacturers encompass each of the technologies previously discussed. From entry-level proofing devices to superwide format equipment, there is a solution available for every project. Here, we spotlight a handful of large format print providers and some of their latest innovations.

Agfa recently introduced the :Anapurna Mv, a wide format inkjet printer for indoor and outdoor sign and display. The UV-curable engine offers quality printing on uncoated ridges as well as on roll media. The system also has the capability to add varnish. The Mv prints at a resolution of 720x1400 dpi and up to 62 inches wide on a variety of roll or rigid media.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. recently introduced four new high-speed color production imagePROGRAF large format printer systems—the iPF810, iPF820, iPF810 PRO, and the iPF820 PRO. The new devices target the geographical information system; computer aided design; architecture, engineering, and construction; reprographics; and other technical document markets.

Epson recently introduced two new printers to its professional inkjet line for commercial, flexographic, and package proofing as well as professional photographic and fine art printing. The Epson Stylus Pro 7900 and 9900 offer 24- and 44-inch widths, respectively, and feature Epson’s 11-color UltraChrome High Dynamic Range ink technology—a high-density pigment chemistry developed by Seiko Epson. The new Epson 7900/9900 series of printers includes the option for a 24- or 44- inch wide spectrophotometer, which was developed with X-Rite. The company says the spectrophotometer is user-installable to fit cleanly in the front of the devices. When purchasing the Epson SpectroProofer, users have a choice of a UV or non-UV option. The SpectoProofer is supported by leading software RIPs.

In addition to its Latex Ink Techno-logy and compatible printer, Hewlett-Packard (HP) offers many large format solutions ranging from thermal to piezo printhead technologies using dye, pigment, low solvent, solvent, and UV-curable ink in its Designjet and Scitex printer series. The HP Designjet Z6100 series is one of the company’s latest products, offering eight printheads, maximum widths of 42 or 62 inches at 1,134 square feet per hour (sf/h) and 2,400x1,200 dpi.

Inca Digital recently launched the Spyder V flatbed inkjet printer, boasting a print speed of up to 1,001 sf/h in production mode with a maximum speed of 1,399 sf/h. The Spyder V has a print area of 126 by 63 inches on substrates as thick as 1.18 inches. While the standard color set of the Spyder V is four color CMYK, a six color version is also available with the option of using Fujifilm Sericol’s unique Uvijet Ultratone color system.

Mutoh America, Inc., manufacturer of large format printers and plotters, offers a versatile product line featuring its New ValueJet line-up. Standard on the ValueJet line—54-, 64-, 100-inch, and flatbed—is Mutoh’s patented i2: Intelligent Interweaving Printing Technique. This technique allows for increased print speeds and virtually eliminates banding.

Océ recently introduced the Arizona 200 GT to its line of large format flatbed printers. The 200 GT is build on the success of the Arizona 250 GT, but is targeted for lower production volumes, making it a good entry-level device for those looking to break into large format. Additionally, the 200 GT is field upgradable to the 250 or 350 GT when demands increase.

Roland DGA Corporation offers printer/cutters available in 54- and 30-inch models, Roland’s best-selling eco-solvent and UV inkjet printer/cutters print and contour cut brilliant color graphics for signs, banners, vehicle wraps, fleets, decals, labels, packaging comps, prototypes, posters, trade show exhibits, retail displays, and apparel decoration. Among the company’s offerings is the VersaUV LEC-300, SOLJET PRO III XC-540, VersaCAMM VP-300 & VP-540, VersaCAMM SP-300V & SP-540OV.

Seiko Instruments recently announced a new 64-inch four-color, oil-based dye-sublimation transfer inkjet printer called the ColorTextiler 64DS. The ColorTextiler’s special ink is specifically designed and matched to a textile application. The ColorTextiler prints on media up to 64 inches wide and includes an automated take-up system. It accomplishes high speed at ten square meters per hour at 720 by 540 dpi—with six passes.

Screen USA offers the Truepress Jet2500UV wide format inkjet press, geared for the wide format sign and display market. The Jet2500UV handles rigid, sheet, and rolled media. The maximum output resolution of 1,500 dpi and top speed of 726.5 sf/h are ideal for displays, banners, posters, and backlit signs, as well as billboards, wallpaper, and fabrics. The press uses a grayscale head with eight levels and comes standard with four process colors and is optionally available with light cyan, light magenta, and white inks.

Xerox Corporation offers a selection of wide format devices in its print portfolio. Added earlier this year, the Xerox 8265/8292 and 8365/8390 color wide format printers are designed for commercial and in-plant printers. They are available in 65- and 90-inch models. The 8265/8290 printer is compatible with a wide range of media types and produces vibrant graphics on indoor and outdoor POP displays, banners, life-size photos, and floor graphics, The printers use a combination of inkjet technology and eco-solvent inks. The 8365/8390 are designed specifically for outdoor applications and use mid-solvent-based inks.

The "Green" Factor
Perhaps the number one trend among print professionals is green and sustainability. Ink, media, and hardware manufacturers are putting their heads together to offer customers environmentally friendly solutions for every application. One of the most notable developments from this initiative comes from HP, who recently introduced HP Latex Printing Technology. The latex inks are used with a new category of large format signage printers beginning with the Designjet L65500, shown recently at Graph Expo. HP claims this printing technology reduces the impact of printing on the environment and offers broad outdoor and indoor application versatility.

UV ink technology is another green trend taking the industry by storm. According to I.T. Strategies, the overall wide format inkjet hardware revenues are expected to grow from $2 billion in 2007 to $2.6 billion in 2012, a CAGR or five percent. "Hardware revenues are driving by the growing sales of UV roll-to-roll and flatbed sales, which will almost double from $500 million in 2007 to more than $1 billion by 2012," states Hanley.

Another popular initiative is cartridge recycling. While dry ink or toner emissions may not be the environmentalist’s ideal choice, some vendors are stepping up to ease the burden.

When choosing a new device, its impact on the environment and its emissions are an important factor to consider. But, it is also important to be well-informed and weary of "greenwashing," or the inaccurate or unfounded claims about the environmental impact of a product to gain its marketing value.

The Time is Now
An investment in wide format is an investment into the future growth of your print organization. The ability to offer poster prints with programs or brochures is an obvious step to both the client and shop. Convenience is key to most, and offering everything under one roof—sometimes a remote roof when Web-to-print and online proofing options are available—is one way to reel in profits.

It is important to remember that offering a service is one thing, but understanding it is recipe for success. An entry-level device designed for light productivity is ultimately a good start, but be prepared to devote time, staff, and materials into a new service until it is up to the quality and standard you’re willing to lay your reputation on.