According to U.S.-based Graphic Arts Monthly, the retail value of wide-format printing in North America reached $9 billion US in 2004, and should reach nearly $13 billion by 2009. That will make it a bigger market than magazine advertising.
Economic forecasters InfoTrends/CAP Ventures have predicted a growth of over 40 percent over five years for just part of the wide-format printing sector, the section using UV-curable inks. The company also predicts “the total revenue in wide-format solvent inkjet system printing, including hardware, ink, media, and service contracts, will reach over $3.23 billion by 2010 demonstrating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.4 percent.”
“We believe that the strengths of UV-curable print technology, and the wider adoption of the next generation of low-end and mid-range equipment based on UV-curable inkjet, will drive UV-curable inkjet revenues, including hardware, ink, and services, over $580 million by 2008,” said Tim Greene, Director of InfoTrends/CAP Ventures’ Visual Communications Technologies Consulting Service, which tracks wide format digital printing technologies.
InfoTrends expects that the demand for lower-cost digital production will drive sales of wide format solvent inkjet printers. They’re predicting double-digit growth in the sales of low-end and mid-range units, and these sales will be largely offset by declines in unit sales and unit prices at the high end.
Expansion
Wide-format printing is expanding in just about every way that you can measure it: installations of machines, the retail value of the output, the applications that they’re used for or the range of machines and consumables available.
The uses for ever-wider—ever-larger—colour images just keep growing. Fifteen years ago, corporations and agencies came to wide-format printers for banners, signs, trade show graphics and point-of-sale colour signs. Quickly, customer demand pushed the size limits beyond 36 inches to 42, then 50, then 60 inches, and now “superwide” formats at over 10 feet.
And where do we see these huge prints? Marketers instantly realized their value in creating stunning, gigantic four-storey posters hanging on the outside of suburban movie theatres. They’re costly, but they work. And the occurrence of huge colour advertising just keeps growing, in trade shows, outdoors, and elsewhere.
Of course, outdoor signs face their own particular challenges from the weather and from fading. Printer manufacturers have have energetically pursued new technologies for laying down a colour image across a wide substrate; while ink jets have been fairly standard for a number of years, the technology in the ink nozzles, use of inks and substrates and in paper handling have gone through several generations in a few years. Advances in post-printing treatments, fixing technologies, laminates and in inks have led to wide-format images that are brighter, sharper and more durable than ever.
With this vast range of uses for wide output, there’s an interesting mix of businesses who invest in the equipment. While wide-format printers are staples of quick printers, as they fit into the workflow and the business model readily, larger commercial printers have also invested in the equipment in an effort to provide complete communications solutions to their customers.
Wide-format digital printers have also been adopted widely by screen printers for their lower production costs and quick response.
Today, you’re almost as likely to find a flatbed inkjet printer as a machine imaging onto a roll of paper or other flexible medium.
Consolidation
Ironically, along with this great expansion, there’s been a consolidation among the corporate suppliers of inkjet technologies, machines and consumables. Screen bought Sericol-Inca; EFI, makers of printer RIPs and servers, now owns wide-format printer maker VuTEK; and HP bought Scitex Vision to broaden its range of wide-format inkjet printers.
The biggest consolidations, though, have made two rival film manufacturers parallel suppliers of just about every output option. Over the past few years, Kodak has acquired and integrated KPG, Creo, Scitex Digital, NexPress and Encad into its Graphic Systems Group. And FujiFilm Graphic Systems has absorbed and rebranded Hunt Chemicals, Sericol wide-format printers and Spectra inkjet into Dimatrix Inc.
Trends
Format
The wide-format printing market changes fast, but there are some strong trends evident today. Flatbed printers are more prevalent: Sericol-Inca, Nur, ColorSpan and Scitex Vision (now part of HP, remember) established the market for flatbed printers, and other companies have brought out lower-cost units, such as Oc’ andVutek; meanwhile the leaders have been working hard to bring down the costs of their flatbed options.
Sizes
What constitutes “wide”? From one perspective, anything wider than a double A4 could be called “wide.” In the early 90s, anything over 24 inches was considered wide, but soon Encad, HP and others were pushing the limits to 50 and 60 inches. Nur soon came out with a “grand” format of over 6 feet wide, and now has models that can output up to 5 metres, or 16 feet wide.
Today, wide-format printers generally come in three classes: wide-formats 24 to 40 inches wide, grand format up from about 40 up to 70 inches, and super-wide format printers whose width is more easily measured in feet or metres.
Inks
The biggest trend in wide-format output is in the type of inks. Inkjets use three types of ink: aqueous or water-based, UV-curable, and solvent-based.
Aqueous printers were the first wide-format printers to come out, and most installations today are still aqueous ink-based. They can produce very high quality images at low costs. They’re still the cheapest to buy, and lower-end models cost less than $1,000. Higher-end models, with output formats from 42 to 60 inches, are still made by Canon, Epson, HP, Kodak (Encad), and Xerox. InfoTrends/CAP Ventures predicts that demand for aqueous printers will grow from $18 billion to $21 billion between 2004 and 2009.
However, solvent-based inks are starting to catch on for a number of reasons. The images are more durable in outdoor applications, and per-print costs for this use are lower, too. This allows wide-format inkjet printers to be used to output billboards, vehicle wrap graphics, gigantic movie posters and other applications that are impossible for water-based inks.
InfoTrends/CAP Ventures predicts a faster growth for solvent-based printers, doubling to $18 billion in North America between 2004 and 2009.
There is a downside to solvent-based inks, however: their impact on the environment and on people is much greater than with aqueous inks, and they also raise disposal and handling costs and other issues for the printers who use them. The inks release harmful emissions into the air while drying.
Some manufacturers have tried to address this with mild solvents or “eco-friendly” solvents. These reduce the environmental and health impact, and still offer most of the durability and cost benefits of solvents.
Some examples are:
- Eco-Sol Max from Roland for its Soljet printers
- Sreamline inks from Sun Chemical
- BioVu inks for VuTEK printers
- :Aldura from Agfa
- Eco-Solvent Ultra for Mutoh printers.
Looking ahead
In Canada, the market for wide-format inkjet printers is growing even faster than the range of applications for the technology. Don’t be surprised to find more models in different sizes—even larger sizes—in more shops from small to very la
rge. And don’t be surprised to find more wide-format printers in ad agencies, marketing firms and corporate offices as the prices continue to fall.
Agfa
Agfa sells a range of wide-format printers that specialize in different types of ink, paper, formats and sizes.
The :Anapurna line is an industrial UV inkjet printer for indoor and outdoor uses. Its flatbed format allows it to print on rigid as well as roll substrates. It comes in two sizes: the :Anapurna L prints up to 62.9 inches (160 cm) at up to 15.4 square metres per hour, while the XL outputs up to 98.4 inches wide (250 cm) at a speed of 25 square metres per hour.
Both have a maximum resolution 363 x 725 dpi, and use seven UV-curable inks, one of which is white.
Agfa’s :Grand Sherpa Universal AM is a roll-fed solvent-based printer that can print on a broad range of materials, from coated and uncoated paper to vinyl, PVC banners, blue-back papers, canvas, backlit film, mesh, textiles and other. Speed is up to 40 square metres per hour. The :Grand Sherpas come with the :Agfa Bulk Ink Supply System for unattended output.
The :Grand Sherpas come in 164 cm (64.6 inches) and 225 cm (88.6 inches) models, and maximum resolution is 1,440 dpi, and in two colour configurations: a six-colour, or double four-colour.
Manufacturer Agfa
Model :Anapurna L
Maximum width 62.9 inches
Resolution 363 x 725 dpi
Colours 7
Speed 22, 70 x 100 cm boards/hour
Manufacturer Agfa
Model :Anapurna XL
Maximum width 98.4 inches
Resolution 363 x 725 dpi
Colours 7
Speed 30, 70 x 100 cm boards/hour
Fujifilm: Inca
Inca, a U.K.-based company, makes the Spyder Digital wide-format flatbed printer, which uses Sericol’s UV inks. Sericol was acquired by Fujifilm last year, and Inca was acquired as a wholly-owned subsidiary by Dainippon Screen. So while Inca is a Screen company, its products are sold by Fujifilm.
Inca’s products include the Eagle, Columbia, Columbia Turbo, Spyder 150 and Spyder 320.
Manufacturer Inca
Model Spyder 320-e flatbed inkjet
Maximum width 3.2 x 1.6 metres
Resolution 600 dpi
Colours 4
Speed 30 to 40 square metres/hour
Manufacturer Inca
Model Spyder 320 flatbed inkjet
Maximum width 3.2 x 1.6 metres
Resolution 600 dpi
Colours 4
Speed 43, 65 or 80 square metres/hour, depending on quality
Manufacturer Inca
Model Spyder 320 flatbed inkjet
Maximum width 3.2 x 1.6 metres
Resolution 600 dpi
Colours 4 or 6
Speed Up to 65 square metres/hour
Manufacturer Inca
Model Columbia Turbo flatbed inkjet
Maximum width 3.2 x 1.6 metres
Resolution 800 dpi
Colours 4
Speed Up to 160 square metres/hour
Manufacturer Inca
Model Eagle H flatbed inkjet
Maximum width 2.44 x 1.6 metres
Resolution Ranges, depending on RIP
Colours 4
Speed Up to 65 square metres/hour
GandInnovations
Canada’s own GandInnovations is pushing the grand format with formats exceeding 10 feet. The Jeti models have 600 dpi output; the high resolution at full width enabled them to print a 10-foot map with small type fully legible at the Ipex show last spring.
Their Jeti 3312 and 3324 DS models use dye sublimation imaging, rather than inkjet, for printing on textiles as well as transfer paper.
These models are roll-to-roll, solvent-based printers with 12 Spectra print heads.
The Jeti 3150 UV Flatbed printer prints on rigid as well as flexible materials with a true flatbed table without belts. The easy accessibility of the print table enables one person to load large rigid materials. It has a white ink option as well as a varnish.
The largest in the line-up is the Jeti 5024, a five-metre flatbed printer with 24 Spectra print heads for printing on rigid substrates.
Manufacturer GandInnovations
Model Jeti 2212 DS
Maximum width 3.3 m/10 feet, 10 inches
Resolution 600 dpi
Colours 6
Speed Contact Gandinnovations
Manufacturer GandInnovations
Model Jeti 3312 and 3324
Maximum width 3.3 m/10 feet, 10 inches
Resolution 300 – 600 dpi
Colours 4 and 6 colour models
Speed Contact Gandinnovations
Manufacturer GandInnovations
Model Jeti 5024 Solvent RTR (roll-fed)
Maximum width 5.1 m/16 feet, 6 inches
Resolution 600 dpi
Colours 6
Speed Contact Gandinnovations
Manufacturer GandInnovations
Model Jeti 3150 UV Flatbed
Maximum width Rigid material: 3.048 m/10 feet
Resolution 1200 dpi
Colours 6
Speed Contact Gandinnovations
Gerber
Gerber’s Solara flatbed and roll-fed printers address the lower end of the price range.
Manufacturer Gerber
Model Gerber Solara UV2
Maximum width 59 inches
Resolution 300 x 300 dpi max
Colours 6
Speed 50 square
feet per hour, three passes
HP
HP’s Designjet are among the best-known, most trusted and most popular wide-format printers for a wide range of uses. And its acquisition of Scitex Vision of Israel brings those super-wide format products under its wing, as well.
Manufacturer HP
Model Designjet 820 MFP series
Maximum width 42 inches
Resolution Up to 2400 x 1200 dpi
Colours 4
Speed Depends on RIP
Manufacturer HP
Model Designjet 5500series
Maximum width 42 and 60 inch models
Resolution 1200 dpi
Colours 6
Speed 100 square feet per hour glossy media; 189 square feet per hour coated media; 569 square feet per hour maximum
Manufacturer HP
Model Designjet 4000 series
Maximum width 42 inches
Resolution Up to 2400 x 1200 dpi
Colours 4
Speed 1000 square feet per hour max.
Manufacturer HP
Model Designjet 1000 series
Maximum width 36 inches
Resolution 600 dpi
Colours 4
Manufacturer HP
Model Designjet Z2100 Photo Printer series
Maximum width 24 or 44 inches
Resolution Up to 2400 x 1200 dpi
Colours 8
Speed Up to 150 square feet per hour
Manu
facturer HP/ Scitex Vision
Model HP Scitex XL 1500
Maximum width 2, 3 and 5-metre versions
Resolution 370 x 740 dpi
Colours 4, 6 and 8 colour modes
Speed 2-metre wide: 124 sqm/hr
3-metre wide: 118 sqm/hr
5-metre wide: 105 sqm/hr
Kodak
Kodak’s acquisition of Encad has broadened its selection of wide-format printers. Today, the company has two main lines of wide-format printers: the Kodak 1200i series, and the Encad T-200 . Both use Kodak’s Quantum inks, which are available in both aqueous and UV-curable forms.
The Kodak 1200i is available in a 42-inch and a 60-inch format. The Encad T-200 is only available in limited quantities.
Manufacturer Kodak
Model Kodak 1200i
Maximum width 42 inch and 60 inch versions
Resolution 300 x 300 – 600 x 1200 dpi
Colours 6
Speed 42-inch: 195 sqm/hr max
60-inch: 20.4 sqm/hr max
Manufacturer Kodak
Model Encad T-200
Maximum width 36 inches
Resolution 300 x 300 – 600 x 600 dpi
Colours 4
Speed 37 square feet per hour in colour mode
MacDermid Colorspan
Colorspan Displaymaker is one of the best-known brands of wide-format, roll-fed printers. Based on piezo-electric printheads, the units also offer automated features and ease of use.
Manufacturer MacDermid Colorspan
Model ColorSpan 9849uv
Maximum width 98 inches
Resolution 600 dpi
Colours 4
Speed 20.92 square metres/hour
Manufacturer MacDermid Colorspan
Model DisplayMaker 98UVX
Maximum width 98 inches
Resolution 600 dpi
Colours 4
Speed 40.7 square metres/hour
Manufacturer MacDermid Colorspan
Model DisplayMaker 72UVX
Maximum width 98 inches
Resolution 600 dpi
Colours 4
Speed 37.2 square metres/hour
Manufacturer MacDermid Colorspan
Model DisplayMaker X-12
Maximum width 72 inches
Resolution 1800 dpi (apparent)
Colours 6 – 12
Speed 40.7 square metres/hour
Mutoh
Mutoh makes both roll-fed and flatbed wide-format printers. The Toucan products are flatbed printing systems for rigid or roll-fed substrates, while their ValueJet line of roll-fed printers is for outdoor sign manufacturers.
Manufacturer Mutoh
Model Toucan Hybrid flatbed printer
Maximum width 64 inches
Resolution 720 dpi
Colours 6
Speed Up to 800 square feet/hour depending on substrate
Manufacturer Mutoh
Model Toucan roll-fed printer
Maximum width 63 inch and 85 inch models
Resolution 720 dpi
Colours 4 or 6
Speed Up to 800 square feet / hour depending on substrate
Manufacturer Mutoh
Model ValueJet 1204
Maximum width 48 inches
Resolution 540, 720 or 1440 dpi
Colours 6
Speed 100 square feet/hour
Manufacturer Mutoh
Model ValueJet 1604
Maximum width 64 inches
Resolution 540, 720 or 1440 dpi
Colours 6
Speed 145 square feet/hour
Manufacturer Mutoh
Model ValueJet 2606
Maximum width 98 inches
Resolution 540, 720 or 1440 dpi
Colours 6
Speed 100 square feet/hour
NUR
Nur, based in Israel, set the standard for super-wide format printers over 10 years ago. Their new Expedio 5000 outputs at over 16 feet wide.
Manufacturer NUR
Model Expedio 5000
Maximum width 16 feet/5 metres
Resolution 720 dpi
Colours 8
Speed 150 square metres per hour / 1,600 square feet per hour
Manufacturer NUR
Model Fresco
Maximum width 10.5 feet/3.2 metres
Resolution 720 dpi
Colours 8
Speed 120 square metres per hour / 1,300 square feet per hour
Manufacturer NUR
Model Tempo rigid/flatbed printer
Maximum width 10.4 feet/2 metres
Resolution 720 dpi
Colours 4 or 8
Speed 82 square metres per hour / 883 square feet per hour
Roland
Another of the pioneers in wide-format inkjet printing, Roland DGA remains one of the leaders in the field. Its product lines include the AdvancedJet, the SolJet grand format printer, and the HiFiJet Pro.
Manufacturer Roland DGA
Model AdvancedJet AJ-1000
Maximum width 104 inches
Resolution 720 dpi
Colours 4 or 6
Speed 968 square feet per hour
Manufacturer Roland DGA
Model SolJet Pro II SJ-1045
Maximum width 104 inches
Resolution 360 dpi
Colours 4 or 6
Speed 484 square feet per hour at 360 dpi
Manufacturer Roland DGA
Model SolJet Pro II V SJ-645 EX
Maximum width 63.56 inches
Resolution 1440 dpi max
Colours 6
Speed 340 square feet per hour at 360 dpi
Manufacturer Roland DGA
Model SolJet Pro II V SJ-745 EX
Maximum width 73.56 inches
Resolution 1440 dpi max
Colours 6
Speed 340 square feet per hour at 360 dpi
Manufacturer Roland DGA
Model HiFi Jet Pro II FJ-540
Maximum width 54 inches
Resolution 1440 dpi max
Colours 6
Speed 300 square feet per hour at 450 dpi
VUTEK – owned by EFI
Now owned by RIP and server manufacturer Electronics For Imaging (EFI), Vutek makes a range of superwide format, UV-curing printers that can print on rigid as well as roll-fed substrates.
Manufacturer Vutek
Model VUTEk QS2000
Maximum width 80 inches/ 2 metres
Resolution 1440 dpi max
Colours 7
Speed 750 square feet per hour max
Manufacturer Vutek
Model VUTEk QS3200
Maximum width 126 inches/ 3.2 metres
Resolution 1440 dpi max
Colours
7
Speed 900 square feet per hour max
