In early January, we wrote in the GBIG Newsletter about the “Digital Opportunity” and the reason that print manufactures should consider this growing segment. In this edition we will discuss new technologies in Wide Format roll to roll, cutting systems, specialty print to fabric and film applications.
Wide format printers (or large format printers) are accepted to be printers that support a maximum print roll width of between 17 and 100 inches (460 millimeters and 3.2 meters). Printers with capacities over 100 inches wide are considered super-wide or grand format.
There are many attributes that make wide-format printing stand out versus other print segments. It is the wide range of materials and applications that are fueling growth in acquiring new technology. Commercial printers are looking for new revenue streams and creating new services to keep more work in-house.
A recent industry survey by NAPCO research of established print service providers (PSP’s) indicates that 9 of 10 providers expect wide format output to grow in the next 12 months and close to half expect growth to be double digit. More than half think that their customers will expect them to be sources of products and services beyond their core offerings.
Start Small: There are many roll-to-roll inkjet options with most starting at 17”. Although “little” and “low cost”, printer options in this segment can pack a punch with ink sets that start at 4 colors and expand to 12 colors to allow for multiple applications. These include drawings, enhanced black and white photography, fine art, graphics, labels and proofing applications. These printers will support roll and sheet fed media. On board features include postscript file processing, on board spectrophotometers and enhanced security features.
Go Big: The sweet spot of wide format printers are devices that typically range in width from 54” to 64”. At this size, the range of media choices increases from smaller width machines especially in outdoor durable substrates and specialty films. Ink options become more plentiful with traditional aqueous and solvent ink expanding into Latex, UV and Gel chemistries. Each ink option offers its own set of advantages. White ink options become more prevalent and increased savings can be found with bulk ink / high-capacity ink sets.
Go Grand: the larger end of roll-to-roll print increases in size to 126” or 3.2-meter width. Thes printers will print single roll media up to 126” wide or 2 x 63” rolls. Advance print speed increase up and over 1000ft/2 for outdoor media. They also print double sided automatically and offer instant curing and scratch resistance. You can reduce running costs with economical 5-liter box ink sets.
Print High Speed: Originally designed for the reprographic market, printers in this class feature wider or “PageWide” printhead arrays with improved color output and compatibility with a wider array of sheet and roll fed media. Printers in this class print up to 30 posters per minute with multi-role media switching and on-board storage drawers’ ability to store up to six rolls. These printers can also print on card stock and rigid board.
Direct to Fabric, Direct to Film and Dye Sublimation: Direct to fabric printers and dye sublimation printers have been around for some time. A newer entry to the market is updated direct to film systems. The primary shift to this technology is versatility.
Special finishes, textures and compatibility with multiple fabric types are not always possible with other print methods. PSP’s and commercial printers are attracted to this technology by unattended printing in large quantity and by client demand for work wear and corporate clothing ID. You can also print and sell transfers to other businesses. Textile printing technology continues to advance with solutions that will allow printing direct to fabric or via Dye Sublimation which a transfer process. In addition to printing on soft sided fabric, dye sublimation it is Ideal for personalizing awards, mugs, mousepads and more.
Finishing technologies include lamination, cutting technology and automation add-ons. As wide format inkjet devices have developed greater capacity, it has become imperative for finishing technologies to keep up. These are essential complements to wide / grand format printers: Many wide format (24” to 63”) systems now come with a matched cutting device that links to the printer via integrated “print and cut” software.
Lamination has made a strong rebound with the rapid expansion of graphics for car, vans, trucks and the leisure market. The second major influence has been the pandemic and post pandemic activity has encouraged protective covering for graphics located on many surfaces in public spaces. Laminators come in many formats and also serve as a mounting mechanism for adhesive medias to rigid board. Modular table systems feature conveyer systems, knife and laser cutting as well as table-based heat presses and lamination systems.
Go Green: The industry has made great strides in this area starting with printer refurbishment and recycling of plastic and metal for end of life for equipment. Many OEM’s offer media and ink cartridge “take back” programs. Newer printers are switching from plastic ink cartridges to cardboard bag in box or bag/pouch only ink containers. Water based inks deliver comparable outdoor durability, quick cure capability and enhanced color with increased pigment loads per milliliter. The newest RIP and printhead technologies use less ink with better color output.
In our next segment we will review digital inkjet print to rigid flatbed systems and hybrid / specialty technologies.
At Big Systems, our Service Mark is “Print Brilliant”. We do our absolute best to help our customers improve their workflow and print results every day. Big Systems is a dealer of Wide Format equipment, supplies, software, installation and repair services and specialty applications. We are located in Menomonee Falls, WI.
Joe Jones – President
