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Large format printing is a large scale method of digital printing that uses wide format printers and ink jet printers to produce a wide variety of large format printing jobs. A Beginner’s Guide

Large format printing is therefore printing done on large printers that are used to print on papers that are bigger than those used in most of the office station type of printers. Whereas office printers are used for printing on sheets of sizes up to the standard letter (A4, 210x 297mm) or legal size (A3, 216 x 279mm), large format printers can print, on sizes wider than 24 inches right up to several feet. Read on for an introduction to exactly what large format printing is.

This raises the question what is considered large format printing? 

In the printing industry, anything that is printed beyond 11 x 17 inches is referred to as large format printing. Common large format print sizes include:

• 18 x 24 inches
• 24 x 36 inches  
• 36 x 48 inches
• 44 x 62 inches
• 50 x 80 inches

It can print on paper, vinyl, fabric, canvas, plastics, wood, glass and many other locations perfecting the large format graphic printing.

A finer understanding over large format printing and its uses makes it easier to explain the common applications.

Some of the most popular uses of large format printing include:

Some of the real life applications of this technique include; commercial signs – all other signs that are indoor and outdoor – retail window signs, trade show graphics, real estate signs, event signs and billboard signs.

• Point of Purchase Displays – Wall mounted and floor-standing product stands seen in stores, trade and events fairs rely on big format printing graphics.
• Vehicle Wraps & Graphics – Covering delivery trucks, fleet cars and even personal automobiles into ‘rolling banners’ and other large format wrap print is a fashionable technique of advertising.  
• Photo Printing – Developing the scenic, portrait, fine art, commercial photographs into poster and canvases in large format prints.
• Textile Printing – The process of decorating fabrics with detailed printing for application on flags, apparels, furnishing, commercial products etc utilizes large format.  
• -Murals & Wall Art - Brightening offices’entrances, restaurants and apartments with unique large-format murals and reproductions.
• Trade Show Banners – from hanging banners to Info Kiosk backwalls, large format printed Trade Show graphics work to make exhibits stand out and communicate effectively.
• Maps & Technical Drawings – Extra large scale architectural plans, topographic maps, GIS images, or any oversize orthographic prints may require such a specialist type of printing.

Advantages of Large format Printing

There are several advantages that large format printing has over conventional printing methods:

Visual Impact

The major advantage of large format printing is that you have big, large images on large surfaces. An oversized print draws the eye more which makes large formats perfect for billboards and posters, point of sale advertising, temporary and permanent signs and graphic advertisements used at fairs, conventions, expos, etc. Today’s leaders come across as imposing figures that are hard to forget.  

Quality & Detail 

Present day large format printers offered a very high quality and sharp images even for really big prints. Since large format printing is very efficient in utilizing inkjet technology, it is an ideal method of printing high resolution photography and detailed graphics on any surface desired.

Durability

One of the major strengths of many post-2000 large format prints, and especially UV and latex ink prints, is that they may outlast many previous screen-printing techniques. Any number of large format prints can now successfully endure outdoor conditions or the foot and hand traffic within a commercial/industrial setting.

Customization

This is because Large format digital printing technology does not restrict to a standard printing size unlike the large quantity printing of offset printing. Each of the extra large format can be personalized to the last detail and can be completed at a reasonable cost.

Companies that benefit from large format printing
 
A number of industries leverage the power of large format printing for an array of applications:

• Marketing & Advertising Agencies- Mobilise different campaigns with banners, stands, car branding and event promotions with large format processes.
• Image and Visualisation Studios - Fine art photos can be printed to mural size as well as graphic print on wide formats media and printers.  
• Architecture and Construction Firms – Let your architectural drawings come to life with expansively printed architectural illustrations, blueprint and site boards from large format services.
• Applicable Industry – Exhibit & Trade Show – Large format printing provides exhibit hanging banners, full height trade show booth wraps & more.
• Retail Stores & Restaurants – design large realization banners indoors, windows, menus and other brand’s products in WS and wide format printing.
• Sports Teams & Venues – Get your fans interaction with oversized branding and spaces displaying large format sports graphics print suppliers.  
• Profiles – Museums & Galleries – Deliver narratives in large scaled-up photographic prints and disseminate in large format printer widths for wayfinding signage.  
• Hotels & Entertainment Facilities - Make a grand first impression with compliance custom lobby art and memorable branded local area graphics, achievable in large format print size.

Large Format Printing Made Easy

For any business, organisation or creative undertaking in search of a way to take their visual communication to the next level, large format printing becomes a veritable treasure trove of significant oversized graphic prospects. This article explores information that any first-time user need to understand about wide format printing technology in signage, display, photo, textile, events and interior design.