Large format printing education and training is necessary for employees at any company that produces large format print projects. Large format printing services make a variety of oversized print projects, such as posters and banners. A large format printing company can use a variety of methods, including digital printing and screen printing, in its production services.

If you are a small business owner who needs a large format printer to create wide format print projects, you should definitely implement a large format printing education and training policy to ensure high end product, as well as the safety of your employees. In fact, in order for your business to be successful, you should make training for large format printers a priority for your employees for many reasons:

1. If your employees are not skilled in large format color printing, not only will product be damaged, but so will your profits and your reputation.

2. Large format printers are delicate and expensive. Avoid an accident by ensuring your employees know the ins and outs of large format printing.

3. Consider initial on-site, hands-on training for a large format printer, and then incorporate both on-site and online training resources to keep your services top notch.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Introduce a training program for large format poster printing

It is imperative that you implement a standard training program for your employees. Providers of large format printers often offer training for their equipment, but you can also find this from other sources. Programs teach anything from basic features to large format printers color management.

I recommend: Hewlett-Packard offers large format printing tips and training. The program includes interactive large format printing guides and customer care training for certified operators and digital press persons. GEI WideFormat features customized on-site training programs for large format print training and equipment support, ranging from seminars on basic color theory to equipment installation and configuration.

Insist on a continuing training policy for employees who produce large format photo printing

Continuing training in extra large printing services should be a requirement since competition is a big issue in this industry. Online tutorials and videos are helpful and sometimes free. The objective should be to insist on a level of knowledge from your employees, thus increasing their skill.

I recommend: TUNEDColor provides interactive seminars and hands-on training classes on the latest in color management, equipment and techniques for large format printers. VUTEk offers hands-on and web-based customer training in many formats, such as on site, video and self-paced guides.

Stay abreast of the latest in large format digital printing

If you want your large format banner printing business to compete in the industry, you need to stay current on your equipment, knowledge and skill. This means continually looking up relevant resources so you are familiar with every aspect of the technology.

I recommend: Roland University offers a one-day productivity workshop that focuses on color workflow for large format printing. The Specialty Graphic Imaging Association features webinar and onsite workshops that teach techniques in wide format digital printing for textile and screen making.

Sometimes bigger really is better. If your business wants to make a strong statement with its marketing, choose large format printing materials. Banners, posters, signs and large-scale graphics have strong visual appeal and are among today’s most effective marketing solutions.

Traditionally, large format printing jobs were sent to professional print shops. However, with innovations in technology and an increased demand for extra large printing services, many businesses today choose to purchase large format printers.

Before your company invests in large format printing services, investigate the pros and cons of the following options:

1. Obtaining the services of a professional print shop.
2. Choosing a a used printer for large format color printing.
3. Purchasing a new printer for large format digital printing.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Outsource your infrequent large format printing to a print shop

If you only print a few posters, banners or signs each year, outsource your large format poster printing. Most professional printers offer large format printing services for reasonable prices.

I recommend: Inkchaser.com offers large format banner printing for prices starting at as low as a couple of dollars per square foot. They specialize in large format poster printing with a 3-day turnaround time. Get an instant quote for posters ranging in size from 8.5x11 up to 50x76. If you’re under a tight deadline, go to BillboardXpress. The company provides large format banner printing in 24 hours. The large format printing company also offers large format digital printing for billboards, mesh wraps, menu boards, window clings, yard signs, posters and vehicle wraps.

Purchase a used printer to meet your occasional large format color printing needs

Large format printing prices range from $3,000 for new low-end printers to $25,000 for commercial printers. At these prices, a used printer is a viable option for cheap large format printing.

I recommend: Get a good deal on a used large format printer on eBay or PrinterFarm.com, but do your homework. For used printers, opt for a LED printer rather than an Inkjet because Inkjets quickly become outdated. When you purchase a used printer for large format photo printing or large format poster printing, pay close attention to the warranty and service plan options. Find a trusted brand and don’t buy used printers from a large format printing company no longer in business; it is difficult to get service and parts.

Purchase a printer to meet your company's frequent large format printing needs

If you business regularly produces large materials, a wide format printer is a good investment. LED printers are more expensive than Inkjet printers initially, but Inkjet printers drain ink which is costly. However, if your printing needs include graphics like large format photo printing, an Inkjet provides better resolution and prints on different types of media.

I recommend: EFI’s VUTEk superwide digital inkjet printers are for businesses and print shops that produce large quantities of large format color printing. Customize your large format digital printer at BuyerZone and receive quotes directly large format printer providers. Compare different large format printer models at Xerox and HP. If your business relies on large format printing services daily, purchase a maintenance agreement that includes on-site labor.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Whether outsourcing your large format printing services or printing oversized pieces on site, inquire about special features and services like built-in paper cutters and sorters that save valuable time. Multiple paper media options allow you to do large format photo printing and large format canvas printing without changing the paper between print jobs.

Industries use large format printing, also known as wide format printing, to make forms of large media such as outdoor signage. These printers are much larger than standard printers, with widths as much as 15 feet or more.

The large size of this media creates special issues in image quality, so know the terms that define this condition. Learn more about large format printing by learning the key terms that apply to it.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Wide format printer

Wide format printers are printers that print larger-than-usual items, such as signs and posters. These printers start at 11x15 or higher and can range as high as 15 feet in width. Applications for wide format printers include outdoor signage, banners, posters and large flyers.

I recommend: Tech Web provides a definition of wide format printers, including the size and technology they use.

DPI, dots per inch

DPI, or dots per inch, measure the resolution of the printed object. The higher the resolution, or the more dots per inch, the clearer the finished product is. This is especially important in large format printing so that the finished product looks clear to the viewers.

I recommend: The Print Guide offers more information on DPI, including the most commonly used DPIs.

Pixelation

Pixelation occurs when one enlarges a picture or a portion of a picture. The original print is low resolution, and magnifying this print does not magnify the picture, but rather magnifies the pixels within the picture. It is imperative in wide format printing that the object printed has sufficient resolution to allow large printing or the image printed will give way to graininess and pixelation.

I recommend: Windows Photo Story shows a picture with pixelation.

Print head

The print head is the core of the ink cartridge where the chip is stored. This tells the printer what and when to print as well as what color to dispense.

I recommend: Precision Roller offers more information about print heads, including how they function and when to replace them.

Jaggies

Jaggies form when one resizes prints with disregard to the original resolution. The resultant jagged edges, or jaggies, may happen if one uses a wide format printer to print a low-resolution original print.

I recommend: Computer Hope offers a definition as well as a picture example of jaggies.

High-res image

High-res image refers to an image that was created with high resolution and offers itself to large format printing without breaking up, pixelating or causing graininess.

I recommend: Acclaim Images offers more information on high-res images and why they are suitable for large format printing.