The VinylXpress Industry Blog

Digital printing is a great way to be eco-friendly by lowering waste, harmful chemicals and pollutants. Start your environmental practices by optimizing the print production of your marketing materials. The growing trend of digital printing versus traditional offset printing illustrates that the public is becoming more conscious to environmentally-friendly practices in the way they do business.

Just like you, Vinyl Xpress is committed to reducing our carbon footprint. That’s why when it was time to add to our arsenal of printing powerhouses, the Mimaki UJV-160 caught our eye.

Designed to print on both rigid (up to 0.5”) and roll-to-roll materials, the Mimaki UJV-160 allows us to print on pretty much any surface including paper, vinyl, fabric, magnets, backlit, wood, plastic, steel, carpet and leather. Advanced breakthrough UV LED curing technology means that problems such deformation of media and cracking of inks are completely eliminated. And thanks to the small droplet size and super-efficient LED cure lamps, prints made using the Mimaki UJV-160 are 100% dry after leaving the printer. For our customers, that means faster turnaround times.

What’s more, the Mimaki UJV-160 does not generate any ozone or any other VOCs, helping to ensure both the safety of our machine operators and the health of the planet.

Digital printing lowers waste by reducing setup materials. Traditionally, the setup of an offset printing press would require 5-10% waste of paper just to get the colors registered (lined up) and up to acceptable densities to produce accurate color representation. This is due to the high speeds of the offset printing process. But, with the new on-demand digital printers, the first print out of the machine is an accurate representation of the entire print run.

Digital printing also is primarily a toner-based technology that uses oils or waxes to seal the ink to the paper. This technology doesn’t require chemicals as traditional lithography does in it’s printing process. Some toner manufacturers even boast that their inks are edible. This digital process results in less chemicals used for printing and less pollutants or hazardous waste as a byproduct.

In summary, if you want to be eco-conscious, a great place to start is with your marketing materials. Green printing or eco-friendly printing is a step in the right direction. You will reduce waste and toxins, while saving money because less resources are needed in the process of manufacturing your on-demand digital printing.

Whatever happened to silk screen printing and offset printing? Are they now a thing of the past? And if they are, why? What happened? What is it that is so very special about wide-format printers?

Everyone is Doing It

One advantage of wide-format printing, for starters, is that instead of printing in bulk these printers can specifically print on demand. This is huge because it prevents waste that saves money in the process when it comes to supplies; it’s perfect for times when rather than one big bulk order you only have the need for a small number of copies. Of course with offset printing the opposite is true… Sort of. The more printouts you create the more money you save (when it comes to offset printing). But the reason for this is because offset printings cost is to be found not in the actual printing, but rather in the preparation of the printers. If efficiency is your bottom line, wide-format printing is your answer. It works on the same lines as a desktop printer. It’s as easy as choosing your image (or document), clicking print and waiting by the printer. More manpower, more steps and more processing are involved in other types of printing.

Quality is of the Utmost Concern

When quality is what matters, wide-format printing offers an advantage over almost any other type of printing due to the fact that your basic, conventional printing presses were never able to create the sharp lines, incredibly vivid color or exact details that wide format printers can. And they do it easily. Even advertising is getting in the act. For appealing and eye-catching signage, there’s nothing like wide format printing. Additionally, when it comes to outdoor advertising banners, those printed on wide format printers are far more resilient against the elements.

So now you know.

Wide-format printing has taken over where silk screening and offset printing left off. It is now used in almost any and every industry imaginable.

Second and Third

The Epson Stylus Pro 4800 comes from a company that has consistently set the standards for all other ink printers. It’s got great speed, high resolution and delivers excellent quality prints; thereby being a favorite of digital photographers. Aside from being speedy it is exceedingly proficient when it comes to ink usage. It’s no surprise that the Stylus Pro 4800 by Epson is one of the most liked wide format printers available today. And for all you loyal Hewlett Packard users, the HP DesignJet 500 is right up there with the best of them. This inkjet printer is perfect for technical professionals and graphic artists. Line drawings, various illustrations and more are done to perfection in terms of resolution and accuracy. Its precision and highly sought after speed are almost incomparable. Leave it to Hewlett Packard to come up with a wide format printer of this quality in its DesignJet range.

Who’s Number One?

The Canon imagePROGRAF W8400 is Canon’s way of catering to their clientele currently utilizing Wide-Format. In this range of Wide-format printers, this is the finest. Printing outputs of excellent durability created by an ink system which is pigment based is one of the reasons for its popularity. Exact rendition and image capturing are achieved by its steep maximum resolution limits. The detail is flawless. Engineering and architectural offices use this wide-format printer for its capability of recreating drafts and line drawings; but banners, fine art reproductions, posters and such is where it really shines.

Long live wide-format printing; it is cost effective, can be done on command and is capable of a higher quality of precision than any printer before.

Forget printing on paper, printing on textiles is now easier than ever. Engineering, interior design, the military, fashion as well and many other fields of industry are utilizing wide format printers in their everyday activities. But there are many different kinds of textiles; therefore, the right ink is essential.

Disperse Dyes, Acid Dye Inks and Pigmented Textile Inks

Nylon, acrylic fibers, polyester… These are the kinds of textiles on which you would use disperse dyes; named such due to their need for a dispersing agent in order for them to become spreadable. This ink also requires high temperature working conditions. Mohair, wool or silk requires acid dye inks. Citric acid or acetic acid is the base for this ink. Caution is strongly advised during its usage due to its toxicity. Cotton fabrics are where pigmented textile inks come in. Though they are inferior to dye inks when it comes to good color rendering, they are known for their extreme durability. The ink may outlive the T-shirt! Some of the newest, freshest pigmented textile inks are almost ready to give dye inks a run for their money though; the color renderings are improving that vastly and quickly.

UV Curable Textile Inks, Reactive Dye Inks and Dye Sublimation Inks

Ultraviolet light is necessary to dry or cure UV inks which can be used on any number of fabrics. The colors are brought out by the use of ultraviolet light without bringing out anything harmful (volatile compounds). Linen, cotton and other plant based, cellulose fabrics best employ reactive dye inks. The release of colors in the dye is triggered by heat; which also assists in the dye adhering to the fabric. And finally, fabrics and numerous other printing media can be printed upon with dye sublimation inks.

These inks bind with the textiles fibers thereby creating a high level of durability and fine quality.

Looking for huge prints without compromising the quality of the picture or the accuracy of a specific color? Wide format printers maybe what you need. Who uses them? Read on.

Event Coordinators, Party Planners, Architects and Engineers

Party banners are a big hit at special functions. Professional designers utilize wide format printers for the manufacture of their decorations such as banners for special events and parties. It is not only economical and speedy when compared to other methods of commercial printing, but outdoes the other methods in looks as well. Reproduction of color is rich and quality of pictures is stunningly close to the original. Architectural plans and engineering plans utilize wide format printers due to the fact that ordinary printers are simply unable to achieve the comprehensive detailing required by architectural firms and engineering firms. Drawings, diagrams and plans are produced on wide format printers dissatisfied the specific needs in these fields.

Publishers and Graphic Designers Also Do

Various programs for education and required visual aids during lectures are just a couple of the reasons why the publishers choose to utilize wide format printers. Pictures of various expressions of precious art forms and/or maps need these printed materials to be explicit and exacting in their accuracy and color. Museums have even been known to use wide format printers for art objects’ and assorted other artifacts’ replications during traveling lectures and numerous other occasions. Not only is it safe for but easier than lugging around the originals. Graphic designers use wide format printing for their work samples. This is particularly the case when their works will be shown at exhibitions, multiple presentations and other displays.

From commercial printing shops two studios and offices, the wide format printers is being utilized an assortment of throughout various industries.

Banners to hang at parties and special events, banners to pull behind a plane, magnetic signs for the side of your van… You name it. If your company doesn’t have a wide format printer there are companies out there who do nothing but wide-format printing jobs.

Most Popular Banners

Heavy duty banners made of 13 ounce vinyl, waterproof material; premium digital printing (thanks to wide-format printers); all four sides double stitched; quick service; ready to hang; double sided; and any other special instructions you might feel necessary need but to be given to one of the many companies out there (accessible online) that provide professional wide-format printing… and you will have your company, personal or just for fun banner before you can believe it. Wide format printers make the job quick, detailed and durable. Color charts are available with every color of the rainbow and more. Various types of fonts are available for text. If you’re a little short on imagination no worries; a full line of pre designed banners is available upon request. For sale, going out of business sale, open house, grand opening and more are among the choices for pre-design banners.

Magnetic Signs

Magnetic signs for businesses to place on your trucks, cars or vans are available in a multitude of colors (15 on the site I looked at) and fonts (no fewer than 44 on the same site), just like the banners. Added cartoons and personal photographs are available in precision detail as well.

Prices vary, of course, but some examples are $22.95 for two feet by four feet text banner; the same size full color graphic banner is $25.95. On a bigger scale, a 3 feet by 10 feet text banner costs approximately $55.95 while the same size and full color graphic banner runs $78.95. Sales, special promotions and free shipping offers vary by site.

Many printing businesses typically overlook wide format printing because they consider it a niche market that would produce as much revenue as other traditional printing markets and they are missing out on a potential gold mind for their business.

Why Businesses Need Wide Format Printing

Banners – Every business can benefit from printing banners to draw more attention to their location and generate more walk in traffic.

Signs – Another important aspect of business marketing is signage. If people are driving a business location and don’t know that business exists it’s because that business doesn’t have enough signs. Every business should have free standing signs to place in front of their main entrance, over the door, in windows etc.

Trade Show booths – Since many businesses go to trade shows to connect with prospects and generate sales, printers who specialize in wide format printing can print customized booths and other marketing materials for a business’s sales process.

Return On Investment

The profits that a print shop can see on their investment in a wide format printer outweigh the costs because not only do businesses need wide format printing, consumers do too.

Many consumers use wide format printing for creating party banners, reproducing artwork for homes, creating education materials for school and so much more which means that the consumers who would use wide format printers are not just regulated to the business population.

Which Wide Format Printer Should You Choose?

There are a large variety of wide format printers in this day and age. Some of the best printers to choose from are made by Cannon, Epson and even Sony. Prices typically range from $50,000 to $500,000 but in this day and age as the country is dealing with a recession it may be possible for any printing business to find a wide format printer for an affordable price.

For every artist the process of creating new artwork is an exploration process that involved using new methods and technology to create new effects and new pieces of artwork. Many artists in this day and age are using wide format scanners and wide format printers to save time creating new artwork and creating new pieces with the same quality as hand painted pieces of artwork.

How Much Do Wide Format Printers & Scanners Cost?

Many wide format printers and scanners cost between $55,000 and $500,000 which makes them not affordable for most artists who don’t have the money to afford them. For those artists who can afford to spend between $1,000 to $5,000 there are a wide range of more affordable wide format printers that are made by companies like Cannon which offer consumers the ability to print pictures and other larger images in the comfort of their homes or offices.

What Should You Look For In A Wide Format Printer?

Size – Can the printer that you purchase fit in any corner of your home, office or studio?

Price – Does the printer price fit within your budget?
Return on investment – Will you be able to make a return on your investment in the printer from new artwork that you sell?

Speed – How many pages per minute will the printer print?

Important Questions To Ask When Choosing A Wide Format Scanner

Flexibility – Can you use the scanner for anything like scanning artwork made on wood, stone and other mediums?

Speed – How fast is the scanner? Since time is also money it’s important to find a scanner that is fast to use so you can move forward with a project.

Money – Is the scanner affordable? Will it be worth your investment or should you consider outsourcing your scanning needs for the foreseeable feature?

Are you searching for the best wide format printers for your home or office? You’re not alone. Wide format printing is one of the best ways to print documents, pictures and other forms of printed media. This article will break down the best wide format printers that will help you to save a lot of time and money.

Canon Pixma Pro9000 Mark II

Cannon has been a major player in the printing industry for decades and they aren’t letting their consumers down with this wide format printer. It has many awesome features like a PictBridge that enables consumers to connect their digital camera to the printer and so much more.
With this printer anyone can print documents, pictures and a wide variety of other projects from business or personal use. The Pixma Pro9000 has an awesome print quality that rivals the print capabilities that any printing company in your local area can offer you.

Epson Stylus Photo 1400

This wide format inkjet printer offers consumers the ability to print 5760 x 1440 DPI photos, charts, graphs, documents and virtually anything else that comes to the user’s imagination. This printer is very simple to set up and use in a home or office plus it comes with great customer support and a one year

The Epson Stylus Photo 1400 printer can print 15 pages per minute and it also features PictBridge technology that will enable you to connect your digital camera directly to the printer so you can print your photos directly from your camera.

Epson Stylus Photo R1900

This Epson wide format print is light weight and average size which will enable anyone to easily fit it into their home or office. What’s great about this printer is that it features awesome ink cartridges that offer a beautiful picture quality and ink spread which will insure that your image is printed out to your specifications every time and there won’t be any blotting or fuzziness in printed images that can come with other printers.

One of the best ways to promote any business that has an actual physical location or “store front” is with banners, signs and other promotional items that will draw attention to that storefront location. To get those items printed a commercial printing company will use wide format printers and the printing job typically takes less than one day to complete.

How To Find The Right Printing Company

Quality Process – Before hiring just any printing company it’s important to verify if that company has a quality process with at least seven stages to insure that your order is produced to your exact specifications and no mistakes are made.

Advice – Every printing company should be willing to give the best possible advice on how you can make your project better plus they shouldn’t be hesitant to explain each part of the printing process should you have any questions or concerns.

Cost Cutting – One of the best signs that you’ve found a printing company is when they are not hesitant to recommend changes in your product to help you save money. Even though they might now benefit financially from the changes that they recommend they will be earning a repeat customer and many referrals.

Fast Turnaround – How fast can they get the job done? Can the meet your deadline and have the project produced on time?

Submit jobs via FTP – Any company that has an FTP server that will enable you to submit your job online without having to bring your project into their office will save your company time and money.

Referrals Mean Good Business

One of the most important parts of choosing a printing company is asking for referrals. Can they show you testimonials on their website from happy customers or give you referrals for past customers that you can call to verify their level of service?