Wide format printers use special oversized paper, or they come equipped with print arms that extend across a surface to be printed. These printers create banners, marketing materials, and design plans, or they can be used to place the print on consumer goods and shipping boxes. Rather than sending your oversized print jobs to a local print shop, note why you might invest in a wide format or industrial printer for your business instead.
Ease of operation
Older wide format and industrial printers are often cumbersome and difficult to operate, but today’s models are specifically designed to be very user-friendly. Their computer menus and screens are simple, straightforward, and easy to understand, allowing anyone on staff to use the printer without worry.
Cost efficiency
You might assume that investing in a wide format printer is more expensive than sending jobs to a print shop but consider potential hidden costs of sending out print jobs. For example, spending time ordering needed prints, either online or over the phone takes your staff away from more vital tasks. Having to drop off and pick up copies is also a poor use of their time!
A print shop that offers free pickup and delivery will usually charge more for their work, so don’t assume that this service is indeed free! Their charges will also typically go up over the years, whereas you may be able to claim depreciation of your printer as a deduction on your business taxes.
Investing in a wide format printer might also be less costly than you assume. For instance, using compatible ink cartridges, rather than those made by the manufacturer, can save you money. These cartridges can even be better for the environment. As one example, if you were to buy a Mimaki CJV150 wide format printer, you might invest in Needham Ink’sĀ compatibleĀ Mimaki eco-solvent ink, which is comparable in quality to the original manufacturer’s ink but friendlier to the environment, and much cheaper!
Efficient workflow
When you send your materials to a print shop, you must then wait until the shop can fit the job into their schedule. You also need to wait for delivery of the printout as well. These delays all result in a very inefficient workflow, with lots of downtime for your staff while merely waiting for something to be printed.
Scheduling
Waiting for a print job to be completed by a shop can interfere with your calendaring. For example, if you need to bring oversized graphics to a client presentation, you can’t schedule that presentation until you have your materials back from the printer! Having a wide format printer onsite means not having to wait until something is printed and delivered, so there is no interference with your scheduling.
Creating drafts
Do you often wish you could see a draft of an oversized design before you have the entire job printed? Investing in a wide format printer for your office allows you to print out a draft of a whole print job, or any part of your material while you’re creating it. In turn, you know you’ll be happy with the end product, and won’t waste time or money on print jobs that don’t turn out as expected.
Being able to create drafts in-house also means no mistakes in changes to be made. Trying to communicate with a print shop sales rep about specific features you need to be added to a print job can be challenging; however, having a printer in-house allows you to adjust various elements of the job yourself, so the end product is perfect.
Purchasing a wide format or industrial printer is an investment in your work and in your staff’s time. It is a cost-effective choice that every company should consider!