When it comes to business, you need to go big or go home—especially when it comes to printing. Large-format printers can produce prints measuring anywhere from 17 inches to 100 inches (and sometimes more). They’re handy devices that are useful for printing posters, adding images to textiles and other materials, preparing archival photographs, and creating large-scale images that command attention while getting your points across. How does a large-format printer actually work, and what can it do for you and your business? Large-format printers aren’t mysterious magical devices, though they may seem that way at first. Learn more about them here.
Drop by Drop
Large-format printers are ink-jet printers. That is, they create images by spraying thousands of drops of ink in different colors across a surface. The computer attached to the printer interprets the individual bits of information to create the image and assigns a droplet of ink to each pixel. When the printer sprays the drops onto the surface, the image slowly comes into view. It’s a striking, effective, and detailed way of printing, and when the viewer steps back, the individual droplets blend into an almost seamless and high-definition image.
The higher the number of dots per inch (DPI), the greater the quality of the printout. This makes large-format printing a great choice for printing large photographs with incredible detail. Plus, large-format printers don’t have to stick to a single level of DPI. You can adjust them according to your needs. Some jobs require a higher setting, like large photos, but some signage, especially when viewed at a greater distance, can still work well at a lower DPI setting.
Think Ink
The ink itself plays a big part in creating the image. Most large-format printers use pigment-based ink due to its fading-resistant properties. Many people cure the ink to help it resist the fading effects of ultraviolet radiation. It can also survive water and high and low temperatures, which makes images last longer. The printer uses high temperatures to cure the ink as it prints it, ensuring your prints can survive harsh outdoor conditions.
Not all large-format printers use these types of ink, but they are the best choice for producing powerful and durable prints. While you can use other types of inks, for signs that require longevity and toughness, stick with pigment inks with UV treatment.
Forms of Large-Format Printers
Large-format printers tend to come in two separate formats. You can choose between a roll-to-roll or flatbed printer. Each type has its advantages over the other, though both feature flexibility and variety. Choose according to the sort of jobs you intend to print the most.
Roll-to-Roll
Roll-to-roll printers use paper or film that comes in, you guessed it, rolls. The roller system within a large-format printer feeds the rolls of paper, film, or what have you through the machine. Roll-to-roll printers offer more versatility in the kind of jobs you can use the printer for and the material that you can use. Roll printers can print onto rolls of paper, vinyl, canvas, fabric, film, and more.
Flatbed
A flatbed printer, on the other hand, has a tray that holds the sheets or medium in place while the printer’s head runs across the surface, left to right. Many people favor flatbeds for their speed and efficiency. They complete print jobs quickly, although you can adjust the speed of the printer as needs require. Flatbed printers can turn out multiple copies and cover more areas in a shorter time than roll-to-roll printers.
Flatbeds also need less preparatory work and fewer operators to run off prints. That translates into saved time and money. The flatbed format also makes it easy to print on plastic, foam, glass, gatorboard, wood, and other substances and media.
While no one printer stands out as the best, each kind has specific applications that it excels in.
How To Maintain a Large-Format Printer
Large-format printers require periodic maintenance and basic upkeep to continue to provide great service and work for a long time. They need to remain clean and dust-free, particularly inside and on the print bed. Thus, you should inspect and clean the print bed before every job. Otherwise, you run the risk of imperfections in the final printout.
Dust can also enter and damage the internal mechanics and electronics of the device. Nozzles and printheads must receive regular maintenance and calibration as well, and you must keep the ink at the proper levels. Fortunately, large-format printers come equipped with larger tanks than other printers. Schedule periodic inspections and maintenance with your technician. Your printing jobs will look better if you do.
What Is It Good For?
To understand how large-format printing works, you need to consider what it can do for you. We’ve touched on this briefly, but specifically speaking, large-format printers are most useful for large products and projects. Engineers, architects, and designers prefer these printers because they can bring out the best in blueprints, plans, and other designs that require high levels of detail and definition. Posters, banners, wall murals, and similar large-scale projects require a printer that can create bigger works. Large-format printers are also good for creating window stickers, decals, and vinyl wrap-around advertising for cars, trucks, and other vehicles. Try that with your photocopier. Or better yet, don’t, and investigate a large-format printer instead!
Have Any Questions?
That’s the basics of answering the question of how a large-format printer actually works. If you have any questions or concerns about large-format printers and what they can do for you and your company, facility, or institution, contact us today. We’re happy to provide a consultation where we can discuss your options for large-format printers and materials and whether you should go with a flatbed or roll-to-roll model printer. Check out our website for an assortment of printers and materials. We offer 20 lb. bond paper as well as other weights. We also provide parts and maintenance as required to repair your large-format printer if anything ever goes wrong. We look forward to hearing from you!
