I haven't written about large-format printing in a while, but every time I pass a bus wrap or a billboard, I am reminded to look at what's happening in the sector and cover it again.
One printer I spoke to deemed large format as anything over 3.658x5.486m, with wide format going up to 21.946m. After that, you’re into grand format.
So, what should every client think about before starting a large-format job? Printers have told me that you have to know how a piece is going to be used and discuss it with your print provider – for example, whether it will be outside, against a wall or backlit.
The usage of your large-format piece will then help determine the best substrate to print it on.
Both printers I spoke to agreed that clients have to see and sign off proofs. While one commonly sends out test strips at size to proof, another might show a regular proof, which is a colour calibrated inkjet version. They might also show a press proof, which is a mini version of the final piece. Customers can come into their facility and literally walk around the proof to get
a sense of what the final job will look like. However, there are limitations. The main one is colour. The large-format images you see are generally inkjet printed, and they only handle process colours, not spot colours.
Large-format is more popular than ever in the US. The equipment is relatively inexpensive, so more firms are offering it as a service.
One other thing to remember: there’s no limitation in size. As one printer said, if you want him to wrap Boston’s John Hancock building in mesh or another material, no problem. I’m done for today. That’s a wrap.
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