wide format printer/copier

Purchasing a wide format printer requires not-so-insignificant capital expenditure which is obviously subject to return on investment calculations in any professional organization. It is important to consider all printer-related factors and your expectations from a wide format printer's output when making a purchase decision. These considerations will help you decide exactly the kind and type of printer that is best suitable to your work environment.

The key factors you should consider when choosing a wide format printer are:

Application of the wide format printer: The type of printing required in your industry or work environment helps you decide the type of printer required. For example, graphical printers require color inkjets with the flexibility to print on different types of materials. These printers may be required to print banners, posters, signage etc. On the other hand, engineering or CAD applications that are used to print blueprints and floor plans of various projects, require monochrome LED printers for high volume jobs.

Size of the wide format printer: The size of the printed output is another important feature you must consider taking into account your current and future printing requirements. The standard size for engineering applications is a 36-inch (3 feet) plotter. The requirements for a graphic printer depend on the type of printing done by the printer. These printers can print in sizes ranging from 24 inches (2 feet) to 72 inches (6 feet) to cater to a wide range of printing needs. The high end, large-size (5-feet plus) printers are known as "Grand Format printers" and they are usually used to print big-sized, photographic reproductions and outdoor advertisement or banners.

Print quality and versatility of the wide format printer: The sample output from a printer provides a good indication of the resolution or print quality that can be expected from the machine. This is an important aspect for most buyers when purchasing a wide format printer. Equally importantly, it is important to check the print quality on the type of material you intend to use with the printer. Types of media that you could test the output on could vary from paper, vinyl sheets or any other material (of course, if you are going to actually print on these materials). Assessing the print quality with respect to the materials that you are going to print on is also important because print quality varies with the type of print surface.

When choosing a wide format printer, also consider factors such as the ink delivery system used by the printer, the ease of use of the device, speed, durability, reliability/ dependability and of course, the after-sales service terms & conditions outlined by the vendor.