The decision is yours
In part one of our wide-format print series, we looked at the markets that have boomed during the last 18-plus months such as home décor and wall and floor graphics which played a huge part in keeping us all a safe two metres apart. We also heard from manufacturers and distributors about the latest kit available to help sign-makers tap into these additional revenue streams.
In part two, we explored what sign-makers need to know before taking the plunge and investing in new wide-format technology. This included finding out the entry-level machines featuring smaller footprints and price points available to get you started.
In this third and final feature, we speak to some of the companies serving the wide-format sector about the latest developments in this technology and how investing in this kit could help your business to thrive even more.
Significant improvement
One company that has been busy installing new and refurbished wide-format printers is Atlantic Tech Services. The company is a specialist supplier of AZON and Mutoh UV, DTS (direct-to-substrate) and DTG (direct- to-garment) printers. Atlantic also provides servicing and support for AZON, HP, Mutoh, Mimaki, Roland, and Ricoh wide-format printers. In addition, the company supplies and services Graphtec cutters, trimmers and Easymount laminators.
Recently, Atlantic launched the Versatile Mutoh XpertJet 1642WR water-based printer alongside the DS3 series dye-sublimation inks. The company has also recently launched its own brand ColourSURE Print & Cut RIP (raster image processor) technology for use with all Mimaki, Roland, Mutoh and AZON printers, as well as with the new Mutoh VerteLith RIP software.
Keith Pratt, director of Atlantic Tech, says: “The launch of our own brand ColourSURE Print & Cut RIP is a very exciting and important development for the company which allows us to install all the refurbished printers sold by us with a RIP that we can trust and that gives significant benefits and features to our customers.
“Additionally, we have increased the telephone support functions and online services to fully support our ColourSURE RIP customers, with the RIP freely available to buy or rent dependent on budgets available.”
Supplying such a wide range of wide-format printers, Atlantic has seen how the technology has evolved and grown over the years. Reflecting on this, Pratt says: “We have experienced a significant improvement in the build and quality of wide-format printers. They are more flexible and particularly more reliable, but the biggest improvement is the print head quality. The new heads give end-users significantly higher quality with faster speeds achievable.”
The AZON MonsterJet can print up to 90cm in height
Something Pratt notes is the development of entry-level machines or for companies that need multiple printers. “The development and improvement of the high-performance tabletop printers like the AZON EDGE and PRONTO brings the opportunity of high-quality printing at a price to meet all budgets,” he adds. For sign-makers looking to break into wide-format markets, Pratt advises looking outside the “big brands or manufacturers”. He says: “there are some really great machines which offer improved features at an affordable and cost-effective price.”
A number of directions
Another company that has been part of the sign industry for quite some time is 130-year-old Granthams. Starting out as a signwriter, the company now supplies a range of wide-format graphics equipment such as printers, cutters, laminators, finishing solutions, and materials.
According to Jamie Reader, sales consultant at Granthams, the company was responsible for producing the first fully working solvent printer anywhere in the world. “Of course, the industry has come a long way since then and it’s incredible to see how much the market has matured,” Reader says.
For Reader, the development of wide-format equipment has taken a number of different directions over the years due to varying demands from operators. He says: “This expanded away from the simple questions of “what materials can I print?” into “what solution can offer me same day turnaround and a sustainable advantage and added value effects.”
Focusing on the three main areas Granthams specialises in – solvent, latex, and UV – Reader notes that some tweaks and changes have been made by manufacturers in a bid to offer a competitive edge. One example of this is UV shifting to a “go-to” solution for window graphics thanks to its high speed and vibrant white ink capabilities.
Reflecting on solvent printers, Reader adds: “While solvent printers have played an active role in the market for over twenty years now, we see no sign of this technology being overshadowed any time soon. The vibrancy of solvent ink remains unrivalled, which is what allows it to remain a market leader for the likes of motorbike graphics and corporate graphics where colour accuracy and quality matters most.”
On some of the latest developments in wide-format technology, Reader lists HP Latex printers as one example. He describes the kit as having become a “staple solution” for outdoor advertising and vehicle graphics.
Granthams supplies a range of wide-format printers including the HP Latex 700 and 800 series
“The new HP Latex 700 and 800 series take the range to a whole new level with speeds up to 105-122sq m an hour,” Reader says, adding: “With prices starting from £22,900+VAT, the new range is a serious investment but if sustainability is at the forefront of your business ethics and you have a demand for white ink and/or high volume there’s really no contender.”
More demand than ever
Away from suppliers and over to wide-format print provider, Very Displays. The company services the display and print industries by designing and supplying indoor and outdoor display solutions focusing on the exhibition and events, retail and point-of-sale, textile solutions, and outdoor markets.
As well as providing trade customers with portable display solutions, Very Displays also offers large-format printing to help trade customers when their production is at full capacity or for those who don’t have the super-wide or textile printing capabilities. This allows the company to expand its trade customers’ capability and allows them to say ‘yes’ to all requests and demands.
Very has a large trade print facility and 25,000sq ft of warehouse space in Leicestershire and as a provider of wide-format print, the company can offer its own first-hand account of how wide-format technology can help a business to add more to its offerings.
O Factoid: Very Displays operates out of a 25,000sq ft facility O
Describing the equipment used to produce wide-format work at Very, Andy Elliott, Very Displays sales team member says: “We have a range of equipment on site, and we use different methods of printing from dye-sublimation to UV. We have an impressive range of printers to print on all media types up to 3.2m-wide offering consistent quality and exceptional speed.
Very Displays uses a range of wide-format kit to design and supply indoor and outdoor display solutions
“Once graphics have been printed, we have a range of finishing and sewing machines to cover all options including trimming, sewing, and eyeleting.”
One trend Elliott notes that is becoming more prominent is the demand for soft signage and fabric printing, as well as a return to trade shows and exhibitions. He says the company is seeing this growing worldwide from China to the US, and as a result, Very Displays is bringing these products to its UK trade customers which gives them another opportunity to grow their business and revenue.
He says: “Soft signage creates stylish and professional back drops, pop-ups and impactful retail display options. As well as the print type, we are seeing improvements in manufacturing process and materials from our suppliers too.
“Now we are coming out of the pandemic we are excited to get back to trade shows and see what developments are out there to help improve our offering, and further support our trade partners. We want to keep our fingers on the pulse, so watch this space.”
This return of exhibitions and events has also seen demand pick up for Very and Elliott says the company is “extremely grateful” to be leaned upon by its trade partners who have high profile brands and projects. “We’re always happy to support,” he says, adding: “As demand intensifies in the exhibition, event, and retail sectors, we are excited to be supplying more large-format display solutions for our trade customers.
Large-format is more in demand than ever, and the exhibition and retail sectors are coming back with a bang”
“Large-format is more in demand than ever, and the exhibition and retail sectors are coming back with a bang, which is great to see after the 18 months of the pandemic. We look forward to working with more trade partners and supporting them with our hardware offering and print capabilities.”
Make your own judgement
Offering a final word of advice to any sign-makers thinking about entering the wide-format market and tapping into the industries that are continuing to grow within this, Reader says: “Give careful consideration to everything on the market and make your own judgement based on what suits your individual requirements.
“There are so many new variables that influence how each printer operates (maintenance/loading process/software/print speed/curing time, to name a few) that it’s important to see the operation for yourself and understand how the printer will handle your own target applications. Unfortunately, we’ve not reached a position where there is a printer that will do everything, so decide what features are most important to your business.”
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