The Essential Guide to Large Format Printers
What are Large Format Printers?
Large Format Printers are sometimes also called Wide Format Printers and they support several different printing needs. These specialised printing devices are made to produce high-quality, large-scale prints and graphics for a range of applications. These printers are capable of handling print sizes beyond the capabilities of standard desktop printers, making them essential tools in various industries.
Aspects and Applications of Large Format Printers
- Print Size: Large format printers can handle a wide range of paper sizes, allowing for the production of posters, banners, signage, architectural drawings, photography, museum reproductions and other large-format documents.
- Print Technology: There are several printing technologies used in large format printers, including inkjet, laser, solvent and dye sublimation. Inkjet technology is the most common for large-format printing in offices and for photography, offering vibrant colours and high resolution.
- Quality: Inkjet Large format printers are known for their ability to produce high-resolution, detailed prints with vibrant and accurate colours. This makes them ideal for applications where image quality is paramount.
- Speed: Depending on the model and complexity of the print job, large format printers can produce prints at varying speeds. Some models are designed for high-speed production environments, while others prioritize print quality over speed.
- Media Handling: Large format printers can accommodate a wide range of print media. They often have advanced media handling features, such as roll-to-roll printing and flatbed options.
- Software and Connectivity: These printers are typically equipped with specialized software for colour management, image processing, and job scheduling. They can connect to computers and networks for easy file transfer and printing.
Industries that use Large Format Printers the most
Advertising and Marketing: This industry frequently utilizes large format printers to create eye-catching posters, banners, billboards, trade show graphics and other promotional materials.
Architecture and Construction: Architects, engineers and construction professionals use large format printers for printing detailed technical drawings including construction plans, blueprints, architectural renderings and site maps.
Fine Art and Photography: Artists and photographers often require large format printers to produce high-quality prints of their artwork or photographs for exhibitions, galleries and sales.
Signage and Graphics: Signage companies rely heavily on large-format printing to produce signs, wall graphics and window graphics for clients in various industries.
Mapping and Geographic Information Systems (GIS): GIS professionals use large format printers to produce detailed maps, aerial photographs and geographic data visualizations for analysis and presentation.
Retail and Point of Sale (POS): Retailers use large format printing for in-store displays, window graphics, posters, and promotional materials to attract customers and enhance the shopping experience.
Education and Research: Educational institutions, especially those with art and design programs, use large format printers for educational materials, student projects, and research posters.
Entertainment and Events: Large format printers are essential for creating event graphics, stage backdrops, promotional banners and signage for concerts and festivals.
Manufacturing and Industrial Design: These industries employ large-format printing for creating industrial schematics, large-scale product designs, and assembly instructions.
Canon imagePROGRAF Series
As mentioned above, Large Format Printers can be used for different applications in different industries. The Canon imagePROGRAF is a family of Large Format Printers that can be split up into two different categories.
Printers in the TC-Series, the TM-Series, the TX-Series and the TZ-Series are designed for technical drawings, GIS maps and some graphics applications. These printers are designed specifically for the builder community, have a slightly faster print speed and can hold larger ink tanks and larger rolls of paper. These models are available as stand-alone or multifunction and have features that make them ideal for busy work environments. The TC-Series is a relatively new series, featuring the first compact large-format printer at 968 x 525 x 245 mm. While still capable of printing technical drawings, GIS Maps, CAD Drawings and posters, the printers in this series can fit anywhere without taking up huge amounts of space, which is ideal if one has a small office.
The printers in the PRO-Series are designed for print shop environments, photography and fine art. These printers are capable of producing outstanding photo reproductions and accurate colours with the use of more colour cartridges and a chroma optimizer for a cleaner finish. A wide dynamic range of colours and detail in darker areas will also help to capture all the subtleties of your photos.
Discover more about our Canon Large Format Printers here.
