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The Developments in Wide Format Printing

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Despite the dominance of digital platforms and mediums, wide-format printing remains strong as a marketing sector, especially with continuous advances in wide format printer ink, media, and technologies that help spur much growth in terms of usage and applications. The term wide format is often used very loosely to refer to any form of printing beyond the standard tabloid format, but large format printing technically covers printing that support maximum print widths between 18 and 100 inches. However, purists consider true wide format prints as those with widths beginning at 24 inches.

Wide format latex in advancements and other technological improvements continue to fuel wide format printing revolutions in the production of all kinds of wide format media, ranging from banners and posters to wallpapers, murals, trade show graphics, vehicle wraps, backlit films construction plans, theatrical and TV media set backdrops, architectural drawings, and so much more. Presses and printers with capacities that exceed 100-inch widths are referred to as grand format or super wide format printers. They are typically used for non-standard size prints and ultra-large computer-aided printing jobs that are beyond the capacity of regular printers and presses.

Wide format printers are usually toner or inkjet-based printers that used specialized types of wide format printer ink. They are considered to be a more cost-effective alternative to screen printing and other printing technologies particularly when it comes to short-run projects. Do note, though, that the cost efficiency of projects could also depend on other factors like the run length, print size, and the type of substrate used. Printers may also be categorized according to the kind of ink transfer technology used, like water based or aqueous ink transfer, solvent or petroleum based, dye sublimation, eco-solvent, or UV inkjet printers. Some printers also use wide format latex ink while others are pen-plotter devices, which make use of pens to draw directly on the substrate.

Print providers today remain on the lookout for even newer and more advanced wide format printing technologies, techniques, and strategies so they can provide the broadest range of wide format printing applications at the most affordable prices and at reasonable running costs. In this day and age when digital mediums continue to threaten the relevance printed forms, developments in wide format printing need even greater attention from industry stakeholders and service providers in order that the technology can remain significant despite the emergence of more dynamic forms of display and marketing strategies.