| Wide format printers, impressive innovations in the | | | | line drawings, producing sharp line resolution and |
| digital printing business, have paved the way for the | | | | making low cost prints, and coated papers that come |
| production of very large, even enormous prints without | | | | in matte for colorful, bright medium density images and |
| losing color, accuracy or quality. When coupled with a | | | | high gloss photo paper that's great for visual |
| large format scanner, the number of ways such a | | | | presentations with a colored or graphic display. Some |
| printer can be utilized are nearly limitless. | | | | manufacturers also offer an "instant dry" gloss photo |
| These unique printers are specialized, most often | | | | paper option that, as its name implies, dries faster while |
| found in profitable printing businesses and have the | | | | still producing a glossy finish. Many of these papers are |
| capacity to create prints from 17 inches in width to 100 | | | | quite reasonably priced and offer an array of options |
| inches depending on the model you choose. They can | | | | for economically printing everything from posters and |
| be used for many advertising and informational | | | | photos to blueprints and other oversized documents. |
| purposes like creating attractive promotional signage | | | | Synthetic films designed for many kinds of outdoor |
| and banners, architectural and engineering plans, | | | | and indoor signs are available for specified wide |
| professional attractive banners made for special | | | | format printers and last longer than paper. Adhesive |
| events and parties, materials for lectures, visual aids or | | | | back films can be repositioned and are used to print |
| other informational materials used in educational | | | | logos, advertisements or decals which are then placed |
| settings, and custom, oversized tri-fold brochures. | | | | on cars, trucks and buses. |
| In addition, large format scanners can be used for | | | | Wide format scanners are available in many different |
| preserving records of delicate artwork and historical | | | | sizes and types as well. Most are sheet-fed, but some |
| documents, newspapers, blueprints and many other | | | | large flatbed units are also available to accommodate |
| documents that standard size options can't | | | | a greater range of items to be scanned. These |
| accommodate. When used in conjunction with a | | | | scanners complement other wide format products and |
| high-quality printer, enlargement and enhancement of | | | | come in prices ranging from very low to very high |
| important details in scanned documents is easy. Also, it | | | | depending on the capabilities and attributes, with color |
| becomes possible to produce full size samples of | | | | scanners being somewhat more expensive than black |
| graphic art as well as fine art giclee prints from scans | | | | and white ones. |
| of artwork. | | | | When purchasing a large format printer, copier or |
| Paper for large format printers, generally known as | | | | scanner, it is worth considering a used or refurbished |
| plotter paper, typically comes in rolls for greater | | | | option. Saving around 50% of the cost of buying new |
| compatibility. It is available in many different types. | | | | is possible; however your purchase will probably not |
| Basic papers such as universal bond are designed for | | | | come with a service contract or guarantee. |