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Litho printer wanting to get into wide format

While at the recent spate of industry shows (Sign & Digital, IPEX and FESPA) I met a lot of litho printers who were attending these shows with a view to 'finding out more about wide format' and how it might bring about better business benefits for them. Many that I spoke with could see that there are indeed advantages to having wide format added to their plant list, but all of which were completly unsure about what sort of kit they might need, who were the most appropriate suppliers for them (in other words who is the wide format sector's Heidelberg) and most importantly of all, what sort of work they should be looking to undertake. IMO what the 'mainstream' litho only printer needs to know is how to increase his margins and boost his profits. He needs to get away from his 'historic' litho minded pricing structures, especially if he has already invested in cut sheet digital colour becaue this too needs to be priced accordingly. Therefore it begs the question: Should all digital production be 'weighted'?

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Permalink Reply by Neil McNicholl on August 26, 2010 at 17:01

Hi Colin

Just joinedthe forum - I run a small Litho and Digital printing company, and we have been using a Canon iPF 8000s for just over a year now. Prior to buying the Canon we had a Mutoh Rockhopper 38 - a horrible solvent based machine which caused nothing but trouble. The Canon is a very affordable way to get into Wideformat, the new iPF 8300s is even better, with scuff/scratch resistant inks. We used the Canon initially for posters, but quickly discovered that Pullup displays, stretched canvas and very high quality photographic printing was possible. The inks are quite expensive, but I'm definitely seeing a good return on my investment. The quality surpasses that of solvent based machines for indoor prints. There is no need for a RIP, but I'd advise using a PC to print, as the Mac drivers are a bit buggy, no doubt this will be improved as time goes on. The Canon has performed amazingly well since installed, and I haven't had a single problem.
If you aim to do outdoor printing on Vinyl or banner materials, then solvent is the way to go, but that's more of the sign maker's domain?

Good luck with your choice!