How a Wide Format Printer Can Change Your Business

Are you paying $50, $100 or even $500 to produce floor graphics, signage and labels for your business? Currently, this is the best reason to invest in a wide-format device for your business. The cost savings and convenience of producing these materials yourself are two smart reasons to consider a wide-format printer. In this post, we will give you several great ways for your business to benefit from having an in-house wide-format device.

Let's first explain what a wide-format printer is. A wide-format printer is a device that prints on large paper, ranging from 18 inches to 59 feet wide. They typically utilize some variety of inkjet or toner-based technology to produce the printed images. Most wide-format devices print on rolled media, including a wide range of paper types, canvas, adhesive vinyl, banner vinyl, polyester, and polypropylene. Not all wide-format printers can print outdoor materials, so if that's one of your goals, be sure to communicate that to your account executive.

So, how can a wide-format printer change your business? The Rule of 7 states that a person needs to see your advertisement, logo, or brand at least seven times before purchasing your product or service. With that in mind, let's review a few ways this can be an outstanding addition to your print fleet.

1. High-quality marketing signage. Have you ever walked by a storefront and seen an attractive vertical banner promoting a new product or service? Wide-format printers produce these graphics. The quality of detail that a wide-format device can provide is unlike any other printer. And with a wide-format printer in-house, you're not limited to just one banner. You can change the messaging as often as you like. Creating visually pleasing displays for your business will attract customers to the products you're looking to focus on.
   
2. Trade show displays. Perhaps your business isn't based in a retail space, but you frequently attend trade shows. Floor displays for trade shows are expensive, averaging anywhere from $150-$500 apiece for a retractable banner. If you do trade shows, you likely already have the banner stand. You need to be able to change your graphics to show the latest and greatest offerings to your visitors. With a wide-format device, you can quickly and easily print new graphics for your upcoming shows. You can also print tabletop banners, pop-up and exhibit graphics and even backdrops. The possibilities with trade show signage are endless!
   
3. Floor graphics.  While the floor graphic is popular for directional signage, it can also help you market your brand far into the future. Customers are now very aware of graphics on the floor, and you can capitalize on that. New product announcements, sales on select items, or even brand awareness can be achieved with floor graphics. Because people walk on floor graphics, they do tend to lose their luster in a few months. But having your wide-format printer allows you to create new ones quickly and easily.
   
4. Event banners.  Many businesses sponsor charity events or community festivals as a way of supporting their local area. Event organizers often require signage from your company to give your business some recognition for your donation. Or maybe you're hosting an open house at your business and welcoming visitors to your location. You can even do backdrop banners for events where you might be taking photographs. Pop your logo onto the background and take advantage of brand recognition long after the party is over. You can do all of this with your wide-format printer.
   
5. Repositionable wall decals and static window clings. Have a blank space in your office that needs a little life? Repositionable wall art could be the answer. With the seemingly unlimited number of online images and AI , you can easily customize wall decals and swap them out with the seasons. Using repositionable crack and peel paper is a significant advantage because it allows you to print an item, post it, and then relocate it to another location. Imagine you're a car dealer with multiple locations. Over the course of one month, a specific brand of cars may offer special financing that you can promote with a repositionable sign. The next month, that promo moves to a different brand, and you move your sign to your other location and reuse it. Promoting a new product or service? Window clings in your retail storefront or on company vehicles are a great way to get your message out. When the promotion is over, you can easily remove the clings without damaging surfaces.
   
6. Wall Art. Thinking about a little redecorating of your office lobby? Art prints you can purchase online can get expensive fast. A wide-format printer enables you to produce one-of-a-kind pieces, creating the ultimate waiting area, conference room or other space. You can pop them into frames or create photo canvases by printing on canvas and wrapping it around a custom wood frame. Either way will create visually stunning art for your office at a fraction of retail.
   
7. Retail graphics. Creating in-house retail graphics is a no-brainer for stores, restaurants and other retail spaces. You can be as creative as you'd like, whether it's a wall graphic, hanging from the ceiling, or even mounted on a foam backing and placed on an easel. 

These are just a few of the MANY applications for a wide-format printer. With their advanced technology regarding ink and media, the possibilities are endless. Best of all, when you have a device in-house, you are not at the mercy of a printer. If you want to change your idea two hours before an event or opening, you can! You can also source your materials to find the best deals on the media you want to print. Most critical is that you control what the output is. We've all had to deal with a project that looked one way on our screen, but completely different when printed. With your in-house wide-format unit, you have control over the color and quality.

Our West Reading showroom is available for demos of wide-format printers by appointment. Just click below to schedule a demo today.