Best Equipment for Printing Large-Format Signage

Nevertheless, LFP has revolutionised communication between businesses and their clients. Whether it is exciting banners in front of your store or conveyances in a trade show, proper equipment, which ranges between excellent and unsatisfactory outcomes that cannot attract viewers, is the key to successful tiling of the signage.
The key to finding the most optimal printing machine to print large-format signage is to know what you need, what you have to spend, what kind of quality do you expect to produce. There exist many alternatives in the market, which have different favorable features when used in various applications. As a print-shop owner looking to offer new services, or even a company looking to launch their in-house production, the choice of an adequate printing device and the supporting equipment will be what will make or break your prospects in the industry.
This guide looks at the best equipment selections that can be used to print signage in large formats that will help you to decide on what works best in relation to your needs and objectives.
Understanding Large-Format Printing Technology
BIG printers apply various forms of technology to print ink on various materials. There are the two main technologies, which appear on the market now: inkjet and UV printing systems.
The commonest type of large-format signage is an inkjet printer. Using these machines, minute drops of ink are sprayed onto printing surface making detailed imagery and text. The current inkjet systems are so accurate that some of their models can create up to 1440 dpi and more.
UV printers represent an alternative solution, having inks that are cured by ultraviolet light, which removes the need of having to wait to dry. The technology allows printing on a wider variety of materials, including rigid material such as metal, glass, and thick plastics that cannot be printed on using traditional inkjet printers.
Solvent-based printer have abrasive inks, which bite on the vinyl and other artificial materials, making the signage to be able to resist the climay used in the outdoor because they premature liquid based printers have negligible pigmentation thus creating high outdoor signs, which have the ability to resist extreme high temperatures used in the outdoor. Such printers are best when it comes to vehicle wraps, banners in the open areas and other printing that will involve longevity.

Top Inkjet Printers for Large-Format Signage
HP Latex Series
The HP Latex printers are compatible with both water-based ink and heat that produce superior prints with long-life lasting in the inside as well as outside environments. HP Latex 700W series is the series of printers that has high color reproduction and can print up to 64 inches. These printers have the property of giving odor free print which does not necessitate \ certain structures like the ventilation system and therefore this makes them suitable in offices.
HP Latex printers allow the production of scratch-resistant output in many applications that obviates the cost, time and effort of lamination in the production process. They have print speeds of up to 538 square feet per hour and the machines can be used in businesses that require a large amount of print work.
Canon imagePROGRAF Series
ImagePROGRAF PRO-6100S by Canon provides a superior output to be used in a professional signage. It is a 60-inch printer model that applies Canon LUCIA PRO pigment ink system which enables production of vivid colors with high light fastness values.
Canon printhead technology gives professional signage very precise printing of text and gradients. Color calibration features built in ensure that results are consistent over many print jobs, which is ultra important when using a certain brand.
Epson SureColor S-Series
SureColor S80600L is a rare feature in Epson and has a two-roll capability and exceptionally wide 64 inches. The printer operates on Epson UltraChrome GS3 solvent inks that are very durable outside and still give out vibrant colors.
PrecisionCore printhead technology used by the printer offers unwavering performance with speeds of up to 1,550 square feet an hour at draft mode. Pre-advanced media handling options allow accommodating different substrates such as light films and bulky banners.
UV Printing Equipment for Versatile Signage
UV printers are excellent in the production of dimensional signs, and printing on hard surfaces, which are unfriendliness to inkjets systems as well.
Roland VersaUV LEC2 Series
Roland VersaUV LEC2-640 is a machine that has both cutting and printing functions. Such a hybrid system can simplify the manufacturing process because it allows avoiding additional cutting machines. This printer is used on substrates of up to 25.4 x height (inches). This makes innovative possibilities in dimensional signage.
The new ECO-UV inks for the Roland VersaCAMM Eclipse printers are immediately fixed with LED UV curing lamps so that handling and finishing can be done immediately. Low-heat curing process does not cause distortion of the substrate, which is very important in thermal-sensitive materials.
Mimaki UCJV300 Series
UCJV300-160 of Mimaki has remarkable versatility; it can print, cut and create textures all in one pass. It is based on Mimaki LUS- 200 UV inks that can be used on a wide range of substrates without the need of primers or special treatments.
The combined cut facility does away with registration problems that are usually experienced when different printing and cutting devices are used. This accuracy is highly valuable as far as intricate signage jobs are concerned that demand accuracy in positioning printed components and cut lines.
Essential Supporting Equipment
To print large format and achieve success, it is not only necessary to have a printer. Support equipment makes the positive outcomes and effective working process.
RIP Software
Raster Image Processor (RIP) software converts electronic files into print ready information and controls color and print precision. Advanced signage production cannot be achieved without commendable color management tools which are found in professional RIP solutions such as Onyx, Caldera, or SAi PhotoPRINT.
High-quality RIP software would give the accurate control of ink limits as well as color profile and print settings of various substrates. Such tools come in handy whenever there is a need to match the colors of a brand or certain visual effects.
Lamination Equipment
The protective lamination prolongs the durability of printed signages especially if used outdoors. Manufacturers such as Seal, Royal Sovereign or GBC have roll laminators that process different laminate types as well as widths.
Cold lamination is effective with pressure reliefs and graphics whereas heated lamination gives better adhesion where adhesion is required in critical applications. The decision will be made according to your particular signage needs and the numbers of production.
Cutting and Finishing Tools
Clean edges and professional look is provided by precision cutting equipment. Computer controlled accuracy is used in flatbed cutters such as Zund or Kongsberg and used on thick substrates and complex shapes.
Rotary trimmers or straight-edge cutters could be used when cutting is basic. Nevertheless, companies that create complex forms or deal with rigid materials have a better advantage of investing in more advanced cutting solutions.
Choosing the Right Equipment for Your Needs
There are a number of aspects that determine equipment used in production of a large-format signage.
The budget reasons of affecting the purchase decision include price besides continued cost of inks, maintenance and consumable items. UV printers tend to have a higher initial cost however they often can have a lower cost per square foot of printing depending on the type of job.
The volume of production is relevant to the equipment selection. Higher-volume users will want to look at the printers that have higher-capacity ink cartridges held by fast-printing technology, whereas a small business may value versatility more than speed.
Printing technology depends upon substrate requirements. Companies that specialise in producing vinyl banners and vehicle graphics are more likely to use solvent or eco-solvent printers whereby companies that produce dimensional signs are likely to use UV systems.
The fact that there is little space available and considerations made to the environment also count. Solvent printers can only be operated with a ventilation system whereas latex and UV based printers can be operated in the office setting safely.
Maximizing Your Large-Format Printing Investment
Adequate selection of equipment is only the first step towards a successful (large-format) signage production. Preventive maintenance will avoid the expensive repairs and downtimes and stabilize the print quality. Maintenance programs are extremely comprehensive and are often offered by most manufacturers that when adhered to, increase the life of equipment dramatically.
It eliminates wastage and enhances quality of output by educating the staff on how to operate them. Lots of manufacturers of equipments provide the chance of full training which exercises all the modes about working, the basis of operation, to complicated troubleshooting issues.
Buying expensive materials and consumables safeguards your equipment and secures that there will be professional results. Recommendations of the manufacturer in terms of inks and substrates keep the warranty intact and will give the best results.
Use future growth in the selection of equipment. Business expansion is catered by printers that have upgradeability or their ability to expand as a business grows without the need to acquire a brand new equipment.
The big media market is still developing and new technologies and applications appear time after time. This will make businesses keep track of the trends taking place in their industry and keep abreast with changing customer needs as well as stay competitive.
The manufactures of equipment often update the firmwares and introduce new media profiles that increase the functionality and enhance performance. The open contacts with the suppliers will guarantee the application of the recent advances and the technical assistance when needed.