Large-format printers are suited to long term large-format printing needs. Not only would they be more cost-effective but will put an end to running each time to local printers. Once you have understood the basics for choosing a machine as per your requirement, you may need to look for additional features on these printers, that include,
- Built-in paper cutter
- Support for multiple paper widths
- Sorters and media bins
- Built-in accounting features
- Support for varied types of ink
- Modular or reduced footprint plotters
- Scanning/copying functionality
- Software, drivers, and file formats
Adding scanning and copying capabilities do increase costs substantially. Go for them if your scanning needs are huge. Also look for highly accurate color processing and color management that's essential for prepress work. The interaction of different inks and materials used for printing makes exact matches difficult, so invest in the Raster Image Processor.
With dozens of printer languages look what is for you. Ensure the plotter natively supports the languages that your software uses. In the graphics market Postscript and PDF cover everything and in the engineering market you need support for HPGL, HPGL2, TIFF or potentially Postscript.
These printers print on widths between 17"and 100". Printers over 100" mark called Super Wide or Grand format are used to print banners, posters and general signage. The printers can be selected depending upon the requirement of size of the print. Factors deciding printer usage may be size of the print for fine art, photography or CAD & GIS applications.
