How to Choose a Large-Format Printer

With the ability to print on many materials such as decal, corrugated board, plastic film packaging and fabric, large-format printers have become a first choice for many businesses. This article explains how to choose the large-format printer that best suits your needs.

What Is a Large-Format Printer?

A large-format printer is an industrial printer that can print on materials from 1.6 m to 3.2 m wide or more, depending on the model. It uses digital inkjet or flexo technology and suits outdoor advertising, product packaging, interior decoration prints, labels and other products that need high accuracy in colour and detail.

Unlike ordinary office printers, large-format printers have high-grade print head systems and can work continuously at high speed, giving sharp, even and durable prints.

Why Invest in a Large-Format Printer?

Owning a large-format printer brings many benefits to a business:

• Lower operating cost: the machine prints continuously in wide formats, saving labour cost and time compared with small printing devices.
• Printing on many materials: modern large-format printers can print on decal, fabric, corrugated board, plastic film, backlit film, photo paper, leatherette and more, giving flexibility of application.
• Superior print quality: high-quality inkjet technology with industrial print heads gives sharp images, even colour and good ink adhesion.
• Higher production efficiency: thanks to its ability to run continuously for long periods, the machine helps optimise output and schedules.

Common Large-Format Printer Sizes

What Materials Can a Large-Format Printer Print On?

One of the greatest advantages of a large-format printer is its compatibility with many types of material, meeting diverse market needs.

• Decal: widely used for product labels and advertising stickers. Decal printing requires high accuracy so that images are sharp and the ink does not smear.
• Corrugated board: used in the production of packaging and product boxes. Printing on corrugated board must give a clear print on a rough surface.
• Plastic film packaging: materials such as PE, PVC and zipper bags can be printed with UV inkjet or solvent-based ink. The printed product can be heat-sealed, is water resistant and does not peel.
• Fabric: textile printers print directly on canvas, cotton, polyester and other fabrics, for bags, fabric pictures, uniforms and curtains.
• Backlit film, hiflex banner, photo paper: commonly used in advertising printing. These materials need good ink adhesion, bright colours and high-resolution images.
• Wallpaper, leatherette, vinyl: used in interior design; colour fastness and water resistance are required.

Choosing the right machine for each material extends machine life and ensures the best print quality

Popular Large-Format Printer Ranges

Hanway: machines from a globally known brand, using industrial print heads imported from Japan. Key advantages are sharp print quality, high speed, stable operation and long print head life.

Eye Color: a mid-range line, well regarded in the domestic advertising print segment. Parts are easy to replace, the machines are easy to operate and suit small and medium businesses.

HighJet: worth considering if print head life is the priority. Note, however, that the ink droplets of this range are larger, which can affect image smoothness on thin materials.

Flexo: a high-end line with a rigid machine frame that limits vibration in operation. Print quality is comparable to Hanway, with a user-friendly design that is easy to maintain.

Key Advantages of Large-Format Printers

• High image quality: with high resolution and accurate control of ink volume, printed images have faithful, clear colour with no smearing.
• Strong print performance: modern machines can reach print speeds of tens of square metres per hour while keeping quality stable.
• Multi-material compatibility: one machine can print flexibly on many different materials without frequent print head changes.
• Advanced ink drying: ink dries quickly after printing, increasing image durability and saving production time.
• Optimised operation: new machines have smart touch-screen control panels that help the operator work easily and accurately.
• Easy maintenance and parts replacement: the machine design simplifies maintenance and reduces production downtime.

Tips for Buying a Large-Format Printer

• Define your printing needs clearly: choose capacity and technology according to workload and the materials to be printed.
• Pay attention to resolution: higher-resolution machines give sharper images, but the investment is also higher.
• Choose a machine compatible with your main material: not every machine prints well on every material. Prefer a dedicated machine if the business specialises in one type of printing.
• Find a reliable supplier: prefer a supplier with a clear warranty policy, technical support staff and genuine spare parts.
• Ask for operator training: correct operation limits breakdowns, saves cost and improves the efficiency of the machine.

This is the key information to consider if you are looking to buy a large-format printer. Contact PTS for advice on this product range, including warranty and current offers.