Large Format Printing Company

How to Choose a Large Format Printing Company

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Highly visible, large format printed materials can give enough exposure to any business. These large format prints, aside from helping businesses advertise their products and services can help improve brand recall and retention. A large size poster in a place with high foot traffic can be easily noticed. No wonder more and more large format printing companies are showing up in the market these days.


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Most large format printing companies offer all sizable prints – from posters and window clings to yard signs and vinyl banners. But there are some which can give you a better deal for your money. To give you an idea, here are some tips to help you choose the right printing company:

Check if They Use Quality Inks Inks can make or break your output's quality. It's crucial to check the type of inks a printing company uses in producing your job orders. Ultraviolet-cured, pigment, and latex are some types of inks which produce high-quality prints that could last up to years. Whatever type of ink your printing company chooses, make sure that it’s appropriate for you specific needs. Prints intended for outdoor use for instance, need to be water resistant and preferably have some UV protection, to guard against premature fading.

Look for Durable Stocks It’s a general rule to print large format materials using thick stocks, possibly as much as two and half sheets of paper. However, the type of paper to use varies depending on the kind of promotional tool you need. For example, PVC boards are for mounted posters as corrugated plastic boards are for yard signs. Opaque static clings are used for window clings, cotton artist canvasses are ideal for canvas prints, while photo adhesive fabrics are needed for sticky back posters. Banners are made from plastic vinyl while car magnets come from magnetic vinyl stocks. In addition, call your printing company if they can give you a sample kit of the stock they use. This way, you will be able to know how the actual material would feel and how durable it is.

Check if they Offer Free Proofing Services Large format printing is relatively expensive that is why it is imperative that you get your design perfectly in one go. A company that offers free proofing done by a pre-press expert shows dedication to giving you quality service. Pre-press experts will double check whether your digital file is ready for printing or not (bleed, file resolution, an other details that you may have over-looked). You have to double check though if their service is really for free – watch out for hidden charges. We at Uprinting render our proofing services absolutely free of charge.

Ask if They Offer Custom Sizes Choose a printing company which produces the sizes you need. Most large format prints start from 8”x 8” or near the size of your usual picture frames. The largest size can reach as much as 61” x 100” or half as big as full-size basic sedans. This is important since some printing companies offer default sizes and non-customizable. If this is the case, your material wouldn’t be tailor-fit to the dimensions of its designation. It would either be too big or too small.

See if there are Available Installation/Service Add-ons Whether you want wide format prints for indoor or outdoor use, be sure you can install them readily. For instance, grommets for banners and stake lawns for yard signs can help you with easy set-up. In addition, ask if they do stretched options. A good large format printing company knows how you want to improve the display of your marketing materials. For instance, stretching a canvas print is one way to make the print more appealing and highly fashionable. You can either have a gallery or museum wrap for this.

Consider these factors first before choosing a large format printing company. Remember that the most appropriate ink, stock, size or add-ons to use will differ depending on the type of product you want. Don’t shy in probing about the materials and services your printing company will use. It is but your right to do so since you’re the one spending.
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