Should You Invest in a Large Format Printer for Your Signage and Printing Needs?
Are you considering investing in a large format printer for your signage and printing needs? From flags and banners to posters and display boards, a large format printer can be a great way to produce in-house products quickly and efficiently. However, it’s important to be aware of the costs and space needed to get the most out of your investment. In this blog post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of investing in a large format printer for your signage and printing needs.
Cost of Large Format Printers
When it comes to investing in large format printers, one of the biggest considerations is cost. There are a wide range of large format printers available on the market today, from graphics printers to sign makers, and each one comes with a different price tag. In general, the prices of large format printers range from a few thousand pounds for something quite basic to upwards of £400,000 for top-of-the-line models. Some popular brands include HP, Canon/Océ, Roland, Epson, Mimaki, Inktec, Agfa, Vutec, Durst and LIUI.
You should consider the sort of work you intend to offer to your customers. For example, a flag printer uses different technology to a UV cured printer and UV cured ink cannot be used for deep-recess vehicle wraps.
As such, it’s important to do your research and shop around before investing in a large format printer. Consider what type of products you will be creating as well as their volume and frequency. Knowing this information can help narrow down which type of large format printer is best for you. Additionally, inquire about any discounts offered by specific manufacturers when purchasing equipment, such as Océ’s commitment program which offers discounts on new purchases after signing up.
When considering the manufacture of signs, stickers, banners, and posters, most businesses benefit from choosing high-quality material such as vinyl to ensure long lasting prints with vibrant colours. But there are so many types of vinyl (monomeric, polymeric, cast) and many types of adhesion types and stickiness (Newtons per square inch).
Trade printing companies, like Graphic Warehouse, can help create larger orders quickly and efficiently, helping to save time and money. However, depending on the quantity being printed it could be worth purchasing your own large format printer but be mindful of the range of materials and the different types of printer types and ink types to match each product requirement. Quite often people will invest in a large format printer to start making rollup banners but quickly realise they need a lot of space and finishing equipment and it might not be worth it when the trade prices can be so low cost.
Finishing Equipment Costs
When investing in a large format printer, it is important to consider the cost of finishing equipment as well. This can range from basic materials like tape, glue and blades to professional quality products such as laminators, cutters, and the actual printers themselves! For example, if you are looking to produce large format printing so signage, factor in cutting the material after you have printed and applied the graphic. The cutting euqipment can outweigh the printing cost.
Here’s a great example… our sewing machine was £25,000 + VAT. It’s not the cost of the printer you need to think about… our flatbed cutter was over £135,000 + VAT fully tooled.
However, having the right equipment on hand ensures that orders can be produced efficiently and delivered quickly. For sign makers especially, specialised software solutions should be taken into account when selecting a large format printer to ensure that intricate designs can be produced accurately – you may want to nest together stickers or panel wallpaper and you will need a good quality RIP software, these are £1000’s and cheap/free versions result in wasted time and material.
Do not underestimate the amount of finishing equipment you will need. some materials are very hard to cut and shape and different materials need different finishing equipment to professionally cut the materials.
Space Requirements
When it comes to purchasing a large format printer, space requirements are an important factor to consider. Depending on the type of printer you buy and the size of prints you plan to make, the amount of space needed can vary greatly. Océ, for example, offers a line of large format printers ranging from desktop models to those that take up significant floor space. If you plan to do large format printing for signage and display graphics, you will need a much larger printer and more room for it than if you only plan to print banners or posters.
In addition to space for the printer itself, you may also need extra room for supplies such as papers, inks, and substrates. Depending on the type of printer you purchase, you may need extra space for special finishing equipment like laminators and cutters. solvent inks may require extra ventilation as well. Therefore, it is important to consider not only the size of your printer but also the other items associated with sign making when deciding how much space you need for your large format printer.
Trust me here, you are going to need a lot more space than you think… a laminator will need a minimum of 2.5m infront and behind the machine… so that is about 6m, just for mounting.
Types of Large Format Printers
There are several types of large format printers available in the market, each suited for a specific type of job or application. The most common types of large format printers include solvent, eco-solvent, UV, dye sublimation and latex inkjet printers.
Solvent printers are generally the least expensive type of large format printer and they are most suitable for outdoor signage applications. They usually use inks that contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and require minimal finishing work but they need to be left to gas-out for 24hrs before laminating. Solvent “drags” the pigment in to the media and then must evaporate.
Eco-solvent printers use inks that are less harmful than solvent-based inks and provide a high quality of output. They are well-suited for printing and the manufacture of signs, banners, posters, flags, window clings and vehicle wraps. They have improved over the years, but did have a reputation for not being as durable.
UV printers are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to print directly onto many different types of materials, including rigid substrates like PVC and aluminum composite panels. UV printing provides a glossy, vibrant finish and is more durable than other types of large format printing. The big myth is that the inks are cured instantly but they actually take 24hrs to harden. Also, DO NOT GET UV CURED INKS ON YOUR SKIN… they are very dangerous until dry.
Dye sublimation printers utilize heat to transfer dye onto the media, resulting in bright colors and a vivid finish that won’t fade over time. This type of printer is most commonly used for fabric printing and garment printing.
Finally, latex inkjet printers use water-based inks and are becoming increasingly popular due to their environmental friendliness. The HP Designjet range is one of the best-known models of latex inkjet printers and they are widely used for sign making and vehicle wrapping applications.
So Now You Have An Overview...
Personally I love everything about large format printing (except installations, I hate installs) but you need to enter the market with your eyes open. If you are a commercial printer or copy shop and you are tempted to enter the market by offering the products to your existing customers, be very aware the range of large format printers is extensive and there is a reason for this, they do different things.
I highly recommend building your customer base using outsourced suppliers like Graphic Warehouse, who have highly trained and experienced experts who will guide you through the product decision making process. Once you have product knowledge and a range of products that sell well, only then think about investing in the machinery, the finishing equipment and the space required to start making some money out of large format print… by then you will have realised you can make margin quicker by outsourcing to a reputable supplier… like us.
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