Each solution has its own set of characteristics in terms of printable media types, print speeds, colour gamut, finishing options, and total cost of ownership. In a perfect world, a single printer configuration would be able to efficiently print on rolls, sheets, or even rigid boards of different materials. The ink would simply stick to the printed surface, regardless of the end product. In the real world, however, things do not always work out the same way.

Wide-format printing application trends

Within the wide-format sector, the desire to place ink on a greater range of substrates continues to grow. UV and latex ink formulations are at the forefront of this shift. Today’s UV-cured ink formulations adhere to a broader range of substrates, bringing higher flexibility and durability to users. With a 35 per cent growth in its adoption since 2013, latex ink provides permanency for many applications, including wallpapers and fabric materials for soft signage. Similar to UV inks, they can adhere to numerous substrates, but exhibit a much lower toxicity, which completely eliminates the need for extra ventilation.

A number of PSPs today are expanding their services by introducing UV-cured printing in their offerings. The trend towards UV-cured and latex printing is apparent as there is an increased growth in applications dominated by these processes. Applications such as window graphics, decals, and vehicle graphics have shown substantial growth since 2013. Posters and indoor signs are the most common applications for wide-format digital printers, followed by window graphics and outdoor signs. More than half of the sign shops today produce specialized ones like vehicle wraps and wall coverings/murals.

Businesses that invest in higher-end wide-format digital printing technologies typically do so to become more competitive in terms of running costs and the types of applications they produce. The most popular applications to enhance revenue growth include posters, indoor signs, and vinyl banners. A large number of signage/graphics producers focus on these offerings to take their business to the next level.

Many businesses are also changing their messaging more frequently to drive sales activities, which spurs growth in signage applications. The emergence of latex and textiles as wide-format printing technologies offers a range of opportunities in the industry.