Large-Format Printing

Large-format printing is done with printing machines whose design resembles an inkjet printer. The print width of such a device varies depending on the model and can range from half a metre to several metres. Printing is done mainly on materials specially designed for this purpose, which are mostly supplied on a roll: these are self-adhesive films, paper, banner fabric (dense PVC with reinforcing threads).

The printed product can be for outdoor use — for the street — and for interior use — of higher quality, but not water-resistant.

For outdoor use, high print resolution is generally not required, since the product is placed several metres away from the viewer, whereas for interiors — which may be photographs or reproductions of paintings — higher quality is needed. The image is formed by four colours: cyan, magenta, yellow and black.

Large-format printing products are used in outdoor advertising: signs, car stickers, shop windows, «light boxes», awnings, «billboards».

For interior use, reproductions of paintings, photographs, labels and other products are produced.

It is worth noting that outdoors the ink fades over time, and the product is also subject to mechanical impact, which is why a transparent self-adhesive laminating film is sometimes applied.

Print runs start from a single copy. The production speed depends on the print «resolution», the size of the product and the print run (1 square metre takes about 15 minutes to print).

The cost depends on the material, the print quality and, to a lesser extent, on the print run.