Wide Format Imaging

For the past several years in our October issue, Wide-Format Imaging has taken a step back to get a better look at how the market, and the industry as a whole, is progressing. The message has been relatively consistent: growth continues, and opportunities are there for the taking for shops with technical and business savvy.

But what technological advances have encouraged growth and helped to move the industry forward? Industry experts site several key developments.

According to Michael Flippin, president of Web Consulting, the momentum and investment in the wide-format graphics industry has enabled the technology to move forward. "With more investment, inkjet heads and inkjet printing systems will continue to become more productive and reliable thereby aiding to the continued technology development cycle," he says.

"The development of more highly capable print heads and inks used in printers from Roland, Mimaki, Mutoh, ColorSpan, and others has created a whole new market for solvent and UV-curable printers to produce high quality indoor graphics," says Tim Greene, director, wide-format, InfoTrends.

"On the hardware side, we see lower-cost UV flatbeds, print head technology and variable-droplet size printing are moving the market forward. On the software side, it?s RIP speed and better color," says Walter Noot, president & CEO, ONYX Graphics.

According to Barry Polan, director of sales, Crush Creative, improved inkjet technology and quality are the keys to growth. "We are moving closer and closer to a 100 percent full digital workflow," he says.

"I think the continued improvements in the RIP software and the ability to maximize materials and the speed of the equipment that helps meet the short deadlines that the clients have come to expect with today?s just-in-time client orders," says Randy Crowe, president, Source One Digital.