What is wide format printing?

You'll have likely heard the term 'wide format printing', but what is it, how has it evolved, and what opportunities does it present?

Wide-format printing is a relatively new process dating to the mid-1980s. It was none other than prodigious musician Graham Nash, who founded Nash Editions, a fine art digital print company that further adapted the IRIS 3047.printer to print high-quality digital photography and art prints as large as 3 feet by 4 feet.

From humble rock n'roll beginnings to high-stability pigmented inks, through thermal head printers to a 50-meter-wide monster - the wide-format printing industry has undergone a considerable transformation in its relatively short history.

Contents

• What is wide-format printing? 
• The evolution of wide-format printing
• Wide-format printing opportunities
• Did you know? 
• Conclusion

What is wide-format printing?

Wide-format printing, also known as large-format printing, refers to print jobs that require specialized printing equipment capable of handling larger than normal print dimensions. The materials used in wide-format printing are too large for traditional commercial printing presses, typically using materials between 18 and 100 inches (460 and 2,540 mm) wide.

This type of printing is perfect for its high-impact, low-cost, flexible qualities when creating eye-catching oversized graphics and signage such as trade show banners, murals, and more. It is the preferred choice for applications wherever visibility and readability from a distance are essential.

Printers that handle more extensive projects over 100 inches are often referred to as 'super-wide' or 'grand' format.

The evolution of wide-format printing

Compared with the history of the rest of the printing industry - wide-format printing is relatively new, developing in earnest with digital printing that emerged at the end of the last century. Over recent years, the wide-format digital printing industry has rapidly evolved.

Initially, wide-format printers relied on electrostatic techniques (electrostatic forces to form images with powder or ink directly on a surface).

Today, the technology that powers wide-format printers is as impressive as the outputs they produce. These printers often incorporate advanced inkjet technology that precisely places minuscule droplets of ink onto the substrate, resulting in high-resolution images with vibrant colors.

Modern wide-format printers can also be equipped with cutting-edge features such as UV curing, using inks that are cured by ultraviolet (UV) light. These inks do not contain solvents and, therefore, don't emit any harmful substances into the air when drying, they save energy, reduce waste, and use sustainable materials; all without compromising image quality while catering to the many applications driving the market for large format printers.

The continuous innovation in this space ensures that wide-format printing remains an indispensable tool for large-scale visual communication.

Wide-format printing opportunities

Mordor Intelligence reports the large format print market is estimated at USD 10.04 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 12.43 billion by 2029, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 4.36% between 2024 and 2029. 

This is driven by the advertising, packaging, and textile industries, where national and international brands and corporations are utilizing large print formats to assist their out-of-home advertising efforts. 

Market growth is further driven by advances in printing technology and the availability of eco-friendly inks, high-resolution printing, versatile media options, customization, and faster production speeds.

Wide format printers are also capable of printing on a variety of materials, suitable for a broad array of indoor and outdoor use, covering:

• Canvas
• Vinyl
• Large-scale posters and banners
• PVC banners
• Window film
• Textile banners

This means wide format can be used in a variety of practical applications, such as:

• Trade show displays
• Banner posters
• Signage
• Displays
• Advertising

Did you know?

Big Image is known for printing huge backdrops for theatre stage shows, TV and film sets, and corporate events; they also claim that their aptly named ‘Infinitus’, which was three years in the making, is the biggest printer of its kind anywhere on the planet. Able to handle seamless prints on soft materials up to 600 square meters, this corresponds to approximately 12×50 meters (40×150 feet) in size.

Conclusion

For large-scale enterprise commercial printers opportunities abound. However, this is offset by high initial installation, operating costs, and maintenance investments - therefore the key to capturing these market opportunities is having scalable and capable hardware and software to manage all aspects of the print operation from beginning to end.