|
Q: What is wide-format digital printing?
A:
Wide-format digital printing is different from many other methods of
printing in that it does not include as many costly steps to produce high
quality images. There are many advantages to printing digitally,
both economically and qualitatively speaking. Wide-format digital
printing is sometimes the best option for a customer who is comparing
costs between other print methods such as silk-screen printing. For
instance, in the world of silkscreen printing the customer must incur the
cost of set up fees for each desired color. These set up costs run
very high quickly and must be incurred each time a design is changed.
Therefore, it just does not make good economical sense to run small print
orders using a silkscreen method. This is not to say that digital
printing is not suitable for high volume printing. As a matter of
fact, digital printing has won several jobs over silkscreen technologies
due to it's impeccable quality. Some customers that demand very high
volumes are also demanding high quality product that that sets their
prints aside from all the rest. Wide-format digital printing is at
many times the best solution for these quality-concerned individuals.
Wide-format digital printing technology allows us to print
onto hundreds of media types outside of the realm of paper products. Some
of the common applications of wide-format digital printing are:
vehicle graphics,
backlit
graphics,
out door signs,
indoor signs,
point of purchase graphics,
fine art reproductions,
wall murals,
tradeshow displays,
banners,
high volume print
orders, etc. Digital printing can also be mounted and laminated for
elegant finishing requests.
The general process of printing an
image digitally is as easy as 1,2,3. First, the customer must provide the
printer with a digital file of the design. Next, the printer takes the
data into a computer containing a RIP software. The file is "Ripped" and
sent to the digital printer for production. Finally the print is done.
The print is now sent off to finishing where the rest of the customer's specs
are finalized. That's it! No set up films or screens to rack up
costs...as easy as 1,2,3.
Back
to top
Q: How wide can you print?
A:
This depends on which media is selected. We can image
up to 120 inches (10 feet). Any time an image exceeds our print range we will
tile the image and either heat seal the tiles together or use overlapping seams
to complete the image. The typical situation that is going to require us
to exceed our print range is something like a wall mural or an outdoor building
graphic. However, seams become seamless when looked at from afar.
Back
to top
Q: Can you print double-sided images?
A:
Yes. However some digital media is only suited for
one sided printing.
Back
to top
Q: Do you offer design
assistance?
A:
Yes, we can consult, design and provide proofs
to you at a reasonable hourly rate. After your signed approval, we will then move on to production.
Back
to top
Q: What are some different
kinds of media you can print on?
A:
To sum it up, pretty much anything under the sun! We
have printed onto: glossy and matte paper, canvas, mesh, various vinyl
media with pressure sensitive adhesives, wall paper, fabric,
polypropylene, backlit translucent material, polystyrene, static cling and much,
much more.
Back
to top
Q: How long will my graphics
last out doors?
A:
This all depends on what you use. Part of selecting a print media
is selecting the appropriate media for the application. We have some media
that is not suitable for the outdoors, and some media that has been tested in
the harshest of weather elements and sunlight. We always use UV resistant
inks when dealing with outdoor application. These inks are used to aid in
protection against fading over time.
Back
to top
Q: How high is your print
resolution and do you have trouble matching colors?
A:
Our current print resolutions are up to 2400 x 1200 dpi.
This is a very high resolution and prints photographic quality. We have no
trouble matching color. Even if you provide a sample of the color needed,
we have technology that can read and construct color profiles in our computer
system. All color profiles are stored in our system for future use.
Back
to top
Q:
What types of material can you mount to?
A:
We have extensive flexibility when it comes to mounting substrates. Here
is a list of some our highly demanded substrates.
Polystyrene (avail. white or black): .010
styrene, .020 styrene, .030 styrene, .040 styrene, .060 styrene, .080 styrene,
.100 styrene, .125 styrene.
Corrugated Plastic: 4mm, 6mm, 10mm.
Aluminum boards: 6mm Alumalite™, 6mm
Econolite™
Acrylic - Lexan (avail. in most colors): 1/16"
clear acrylic, 1/8" translucent acrylic, 3/16" translucent, 3/16 translucent
lexan.
Foam Boards: 1/2" Gatorboard™, 3/16
Ultraboard™, 3/16 Ultraboard™(black), 3/16 Foamcore™
Sintra™ (avail. in most colors):
3mm, 4mm, 6mm, 10mm, 12mm, 13mm
Massonite: 3/16", 1/4"
Back
to top
Q: Can you mount an image to a board and cut a custom shape?
A:
Yes. We have done several P.O.P. display graphics
that required us to cut smooth wave-like shapes to finish the contour. We
can do this with thicknesses up to 1/2" thick using a C.N.C. router.
Back
to top
Q: How durable are your pole
banners and what size are they?
A:
Our pole banners are very durable. First of all, the actual hardware that
is used to attach the banner to the pole is industry standard and can take some
strong wind. We print each banner on a heavy-duty vinyl with UV resistant
solvent inks. Our stitching is reinforced to ensure that what goes up
never comes down. Each pole banner has a standard size of 30" x 90".
Custom sizes are also available.
Back
to top
Q: Do you have window graphics available?
A:
Yes. As a matter of fact, we have window graphics for both vehicle and
conventional building windows. One of our most popular products we use for
window graphics is viewable on one side only. When the viewer is on the
non image side, the graphic gives the effect of a tinted window and still allows
the viewer to see out the window. We have strictly opaque window graphics
as well. see Edgebrook Shopping Center project
Back
to top
Q: I have a trade show coming up. What kind of display should I choose?
A:
The following is useful
information taken from the book Expo Ideas by Jeff Culton president
Expo Displays.
You have an exhibit space, now what? You need a
display. Although there are dozens of display styles, they are generally
grouped into three categories: portable, modular and custom.
As you consider the choices, make a list of what you want to accomplish at the
show. Then you can choose the display that best matches your needs.
For example, if displaying products is most important, shelving, graphics and
other forms of product display need to be an integral part of the design process
from the beginning versus an afterthought. If building relationships is
priority one, a conference area should be considered. By defining your
purpose and deciding which elements of that purpose take priority, your company
can make the most of valuable trade show space.
Pop-up Displays
A Pop-up display consists of a collapsible frame that
expands to create a back wall for attachment of graphic mural panels and/or
fabric panels. When using graphic mural panels, the graphics will hang
directly on the frame's hardware. This will create a large (10' wide x 8'
tall), virtually seamless graphic image. Graphics that are displayed on
fabric panels attach by Velcro® and may come in various shapes and sizes.
All of the panels and graphics for Pop-ups can usually be rolled and placed
directly in the shipping case. Pop-up displays have quick set-ups, are
easy to use and are affordable, making them one of the most popular display
systems on the market. The downside is that Pop-ups are so popular and
inexpensive to own that they have become commonplace at shows. It's hard
to stand out from the crowd when your display looks the same as everyone else's.
Modular Displays
Modular displays are hybrid structures that attempt to
give the look of a full custom display in a lighter and more portable format.
As the name suggests, this system uses modules of varying types (panels or
frames) that connect to form a display. Most modular displays offer a
virtually limitless array of finishes including metal and wood laminates,
graphics, etc. The best part of this display is, when properly designed,
it can easily be reconfigured (to meet booth space, size, or structural
requirements), modified, and added to over time. Plus, if a single panel
is damaged, it can be replaced without replacing a large section. These
systems are stronger and heavier than portable displays, but are weaker and
lighter than most custom displays. Modular displays usually ship in wooden
crates or large plastic containers. Both have to be shipped via truck
line. It is possible to ship this system in smaller cases with FedEx® or
UPS®. The choice is yours: few large cases or crates versus several
smaller cases.
Custom Displays
Full custom displays are generally designed from scratch
and constructed of wood, metal or other substrates. These are high-end
displays, and the price will usually reflect that. Since each custom
exhibit is designed and created with your specific needs in mind, it is unique
to you. And it can provide virtually any solution you need. There
are no limits. Most anything you dram can be made a reality.
Hardwood floors, revolving areas, two-story structures and anything else you
imagine.
Custom displays are usually stored in wooden shipping
crates. These crates must be moved with a forklift and shipped via freight
line. Custom displays cost more to ship and manage, however, much of the
cost is determined by how large of a booth space you are filling. Custom
displays are utilized in 10' x 20' or larger booth spaces most of the time.
However, 10' x 10' custom spaces can really make your company stand out.
Back
to top
|
