By Cassandra Balentine
Part 1 of 2
Small format flatbed printers open up new opportunities to print service providers by enabling small-batch, personalized orders, including items like glassware, coasters, golf balls, pens, ornaments, and acrylic pieces.
Smaller format flatbed printers often offer higher resolutions and finer drop sizes, making them more appropriate for smaller items or irregular shapes, which require small fonts or fine detail logos and graphics. “Smaller UV machines also offer a more compact footprint, lower power consumption, and easier maintenance—with less time required to load and align materials,” comments Lon Riley, founder/CEO, The DPI Laboratory.
Further, small format UV printers that leverage varnish enable print shops to produce Braille signage. “This can drive a wide format print shop to expand revenue streams into markets with high demand for durable, tactile prints,” says David Bistrovic, product manager, Professional Imaging, Epson America, Inc.
In addition to producing ADA-compliant braille signage, Emilio Rangel, UV and VerteLith product manager, Mutoh America, Inc., points out that these printers offer exceptional versatility. “They can handle everything from awards and promotional items to wayfinding signage, home décor, textured art prints, and package prototyping. This range of capabilities helps keep customers from seeking services elsewhere—making in-house production faster, more efficient, and more profitable.”
Michael Perrelli, sales director, Innovative Digital Systems (IDS) agrees, adding that these devices provide the ability to offer major upsells to current wide format wrap or signage customers—golf balls, promotional items, and drinkware. “Often times, if it fits in the printer, there is a strong chance you can customize it and profit from it.”
Smaller Options
DPI Laboratory offers two smaller format flatbed printers. The Catalyst Nanos has an A3-size bed and the Aventra Model offers a 35×24-inch bed.
Riley says both sizes are popular with companies ranging from startups to full production shops, and can complement wide format machines, or existing print shops that specialize in garment, dye-sublimation, laser or other customization technologies.
The SureColor V1070 is Epson’s small format flatbed printer. At an A4 size, the SureColor V1070 offers Epson professional imaging technology, including six-color UltraChrome UV ink for delivering stunningly bright, colorful, and textured prints with low graininess and smooth gradations on a variety of media, up to 2.75 inches thick.
The fully enclosed system touts a user-friendly design with automated maintenance features, as well as two active carbon air filters to reduce UV ink odor and includes Epson Edge Print PRO RIP software to streamline the printing process.
The Epson SureColor V1070 is equipped with Epson Edge Print PRO as well as drivers for common RIP manufacturers, making it easy to integrate within an existing workflow, according to Bistrovic.
IDS understands that its customers have varying levels of size, need, and production output in whatever printer they choose. “With that, we offer a range of small format printers that fit any size and budget requirements,” says Perrelli.
In addition to smaller options from Mutoh—the XpertJet 461UF and XpertJet 661UF, and Mimaki—3042 MK II e, 6042 MK II e, 7151 Plus II; IDS also offers the popular Mutoh XpertJet 1462UF and that unit comes in at a very versatile bed size of 55×27 inches with a six-inch z-height clearance.
Mimaki offers two standout solutions in the range of 55×27-inch formats, the JFX200-1213 EX and UJF-7151 Plus II.
The Mimaki JFX200-1213 EX is a 50×51-inch UV LED flatbed printer built for medium-output production in a compact footprint. It supports simultaneous two-layer printing, offers fast throughput, and integrates features like multi-layer textures and jettable primer for enhanced adhesion. It has advanced production features including white ink circulation and a capping station for quicker and economical print-ready startups.
The Mimaki UJF-7151 Plus II is a 28×20-inch direct to object printer ideal for smaller parts, promotional items, and ADA-compliant braille signage.
Mutoh offers three models that fall into the smaller format flatbed printer range—XpertJet 461UF, which is 19×13 inches; the XpertJet 661UF, which is 19×23 inches; and the XpertJet 1462UF, which is 55×27 inches.
Every printer comes equipped with the StartRight Kit, access to SAi FlexiDESIGNER MUTOH Edition, and a free license for Mutoh’s VerteLith RIP software. “When combined, these tools create a virtually seamless workflow from design to final print—making any of these printers an ideal solution for print shops of all sizes,” says Rangel.
Aug2025, DPS Magazine
