Every office needs printers. That much is obvious. But do you need a wide format printer or can your business cope with standard format printing? That’s a key question, and it’s one that a lot of businesses need to ponder, as wide format printing can unlock new and valuable opportunities.
This guide provides answers to many of the commonly asked questions about wide format printing.
What Is a Wide Format Printer?
Just as its name implies, a wide format printer is one designed to print things that are wider and bigger than usual A4 documents and office stationery, like envelopes and letters. Also known as large format printers, these machines are naturally bigger than average and, to get specific, they can produce prints up to 100 inches in width.
Let’s say you want to print a huge poster, for example, or a trade show banner. A regular printer wouldn’t be able to manage that. It can only usually go up to a maximum of A4 (8.5 x 11) or A3 (11.7 x 16.5). But a wide format printer could produce the large format item you need for your presentation.
How Does It Work?
While they’re capable of printing many things bigger than regular printers, wide format printers work pretty much the same way as their smaller counterparts. However, their exact printing process can vary, depending on the model you buy. Inkjet printers, for example, spray ink onto the paper (or other material) to form the image, while laser printers harness the power of static electricity.
A lot of wide format printer models also print using plotter pens, which are precise, guided, pen-like instruments inside the printer itself that moves across the material to “draw” the image you want. These models are exceptionally accurate and can produce designs of great detail.
As far as the actual user interface, a wide format printer is often a lot like any standard office printer or home printer You first prepare the image or design you want to print on your computer or other device, you simply first make sure it has enough stock to print onto, send it to the printer, and wait while the job is carried out.
Are There Different Types?
Yes, as discussed briefly above, there are several types of wide format printer. Some use inkjet technology, others rely on laser printing, some have plotter pens, and so on. There are even some models that can print onto almost any kind of material, from canvas and cardstock to glass, wood, or even sheet metal.
Who Uses Wide Format Printing?
Lots of different people and businesses rely on wide format printing. Anyone who regularly or semi-regularly has to make prints that are beyond the size and scope of standard printers can benefit from having a wide format printer, and that includes:
- Schools
- Architects
- Marketing firms
- Event planners
- Hospitality firms
- Engineers
- Photographers
- Artists
- Manufacturing firms
- Retail stores
Plus many other types of businesses in different industries, from transport to logistics, need the kind of prints that only wide format models can deliver. This includes posters, banners, oversized stickers, signage, billboards, store displays, blueprints, and so on.
Does My Business Need a Wide Format Printer?
That’s the No. 1 question a lot of firms find themselves asking when they learn about the benefits of wide format printing or the first time they need to print something large like a poster, blueprint, or trade show banner and discover how expensive it can be to use third-party services.
Well, the easiest way to figure it out is to ask yourself, “How much use would you get out of a wide format printer?”
If you’re in one of the industries or business types listed above, like architecture, engineering, retail, and so on, you’d probably use your wide format printer quite often. Therefore, it makes a lot of sense to invest in one.
On the other hand, if you’re running the sort of business that almost exclusively prints in smaller, more standard sizes, like A4, and only rarely needs to print bigger, you may find that any wide format printer you buy would largely go unused for most of the year, representing a pretty poor investment.
So, for businesses at either end of the spectrum, it’s easy enough to make a smart decision. But if you’re somewhere in the middle, running a business that occasionally needs wide format prints, it’s a trickier question to answer.
It’s best to go through your reports and stats and determine just how much use you’d get out of a wide format printer. Then, weigh the costs of buying one, as opposed to the costs of using third-party printing services, to help you make the right data-driven decision.
What Should I Look For?
Let’s say you do need a wide format printer. Here’s what to focus on to help you make the right call:
- Price: That means the price tag of the machine itself, and the costs to run it (maintenance, supplies, and energy costs). Try to find one that doesn’t just fit in with your budget, but brings maximum value to your business.
- Materials: A lot of wide format printers aren’t just for paper. They can handle canvas, wood, vinyl, and more. Think about what you want to print on – vinyl for banners, wood for signage, for example – and pick a model that matches your needs.
- Efficiency: You’ll need a printer that can keep up with your business pace, too. It’s no good buying one that takes hours to make a single print if you intend to use it intensively for lots of jobs each day.
Consider a Wide Format Printing for Your Firm
So, if it feels like a wide format printer might be a valuable addition to your business, don’t delay. The sooner you get one of your own, the sooner you can get to work making posters, blueprints, banners – whatever big format prints you need.
Docutrend is here to help with that. With years of experience in office technology, we guide businesses in New York, Totowa, Cherry Hill, Edison, and Ft. Washington in making the right tech investments that align with their needs, including wide format printing. Get in touch to find out more.