Poster printing can be a passionate business if you have the desire to design and print with an ideal wide format printers for posters. You have a lot of options to get your posters printed. But the main issue would be to find the ideal printer that prints with the desired quality and suits your budget. Poster printing can be done from home if you have the proper equipment. Therefore, it is important to do some research before choosing a printer to get the best value for your money. But if you want to get it done professionally, you need to find a good printing company that can do it according to your specifications. The cost of printing will also depend on the number of posters you want to print and the quality of paper and ink you use. That’s why we’re here to help you find the best affordable A3+ printers for your home or small business printing needs. We’ll also give you some tips on how to make the most of your posters by outsourcing and selling them. With the right printer, you can get high-quality prints and sell them without hassle.
We also have an article on Vinyl Cutter Machines, which is a useful guide for getting knowledge about the best vinyl plotters that you can buy and start your small business projects.
What are the 3 important things to look for before you buy a wide format printer for posters?
Before you buy a printer, there are three factors listed below you’ll need to take into account.
- Dye ink or pigment-based ink
- Maximum thickness of the paper
- Warranty
Difference between pigment and dye inks
Pigment and dye inks are both commonly used in printers, but they serve different purposes in terms of printing quality. Pigment ink is made of tiny pigment particles that are suspended in a liquid. When pigment ink is applied to paper, the pigment particles bind to the paper fibres. This type of ink is more fade-resistant and water-resistant than dye ink which is also the best option for printing on archival papers. Dye ink, on the other hand, is made of dissolved colourants. When dye ink is applied to paper, the colourants are absorbed into the paper. This type of ink produces richer colours and is better suited for photo printing. However, it is also more prone to fading and smudging. Pigment ink is also more likely to clog printer nozzles. As a result, printers that use pigment ink typically require more maintenance than those that use dye ink.
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 A2 Wide Format Printer
Printer for photographers and graphic designers
Canon’s imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 is our first pick for small businesses that print posters on a daily basis. This A2 wide format printer is Canon’s newest upgraded release and it’s designed for printing anything from small-size posters to large banners up to 1.2m long. The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 uses Canon’s latest LUCIA PRO 12-ink system to produce high-quality prints with accurate colours and sharp details. The printer is also equipped with 12 pigment inks and you can change the ink that runs out only, which makes it cheaper to get the inks.
Print Thick Papers
The additional manual feed tray enables you to use heavier and thick paper types. This heavy paper can be used for things like poster and banner printing. The manual feed tray is also useful for feeding in other heavy materials, such as cardstock up to 400gsm. This added flexibility makes the printer more versatile and useful for a variety of projects. So if you need to print something on heavy paper, don’t worry, this printer has got you covered.
Canon’s imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 is a great choice for small businesses that need a reliable poster printer that can produce high-quality prints quickly and easily.
Specs
- Printer Size: 723 x 435 x 285 mm (28.4 x 17.1 x 11.2 in) | 32.3kg (71.2 lbs)
- Maximum Paper Thickness: up to 400gsm
- Maximum Paper Size: A2 and A3+ (up to 1200mm long/panorama paper)
- Ink Type: LUCIA PRO 12-ink Pigment Ink
- Print Resolution: 2,400 x 1,200 dpi
- Printing Speed: 3-6 min (A2 colour print)
- Power Consumption: 34W
- Memory: 1GB
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi and Ethernet
Pros
- Easy to operate
- up to 1200mm printing
- Pigment inks
- The manual feed can take up to 400gsm paper
Cons
- It is a bit heavy
- Price
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Epson SureColor SC-P900 A2 Printer
The best printer for posters that are ideal for small businesses and freelancers
Epson has been in the printing industry for a long time, and they’ve always been known for their high-quality print output. The SC-P900 is their latest photo and poster printer, and it’s been designed to produce outstanding print quality as standard. This printer can produce A2-sized posters and photos with ease, and the results are simply stunning. It’s also compact and stylish, so it will look great in any home or office.
Printer for Photographers and Artists
Epson’s SC-P900 is a top-of-the-line wide format photo and poster printer that offers both professional quality and ease of use for photographers and artists. The printer’s sleek design makes it a great addition to any home office or studio, and its simple customisable user interface makes it easy to control and produce high-quality prints. The SC-P900 uses Epson’s advanced F10 printhead and black enhanced overcoat technology to deliver stunning detail and resolution, while its 10-colour UltraChrome Pro ink system ensures accurate colour reproduction. Additionally, the printer offers a wide range of connectivity options, making it easy to connect to a computer or other devices. With its combination of features and ease of use, the Epson SC-P900 is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality photo printer.
Print Directly on Boards
With the Epson SC-P900, you can print on a variety of surfaces to create professional-looking results. The wide range of printing options includes printing on thick paper up to 1000gsm or cards and even on boards, that have a thickness of 1.3mm. These options will give you the flexibility for you to create your own artwork on whatever your client needs. The Epson SC-P900 also offers high print quality, so you can be sure your artwork will look great. With its versatile print options and high print quality, the Epson SC-P900 is the perfect printer for small business owners and freelancers.
Epson Roll Feed Adapter
You can also add the extra Roll Feed extension to the rear of the printer which will give the ability to print long or wide panoramic images that would be quite impactful. With that extra adapter, your P900 will have the ability to produce up to 18m long and 17inches wide prints.
If you’re looking to make a real impact with your prints, then you’ll want to consider adding the Roll Feed extension to your P900 printer. With this adapter, you’ll be able to print panoramic images that are up to 18m long and 17 inches wide! Just imagine the possibilities! Whether you’re printing out a sweeping landscape or a giant group photo, the Roll Feed extension will help you get the most out of your P900 printer.
If you’re looking for a printer that can produce professional-quality results, then the Epson SC-P900 is definitely worth considering.
Specs
- Printer Size: 615 x 368 x 199 mm (28.4 x 17.1 x 11.2 in) | 14.8 kg (71.2 lbs)
- Maximum Paper Thickness: up to 400gsm
- Maximum Paper Size: A2 (up to 18m long with SC-P900 Roll Feeder)
- Ink Type: UltraChrome Pro 10 Pigment Ink
- Printing Resolution: 5760 x 1440 dpi
- Printing Speed: 3-6 min (A2 colour print)
- Power Consumption: 34W
- Memory: 256 MB
- Connectivity: Google Cloud print and Wi-Fi direct printing
- Warranty: 12 months
Pros
- Easy to operate – Plug & Play
- Cutting option
- Great accuracy
- It comes with goggles that you must wear every time when the laser is in progress.
Cons
- Single colour engraving
- Quite expensive with the roll feeder
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Epson SureColor SC-P5000 A2 Printer
Printer with Integrated Roll Feeder that is ideal for posters
The Epson SureColor SC-P5000 professional wide format printer is geared toward artists and photographers who need accurate and consistent colours for their work. Its advanced pigment ink technology uses UltraChrome HDX to achieve accurate proofing that matches up to 99% of the Pantone Solid Coated Colours range. This makes it an essential tool for professional designers who need to ensure that their colours are consistently reproduced for their projects. The SC-P5000 also features a wide range of connectivity options, making it easy to integrate into any professional workflow. Whether you’re a photographer trying to get the perfect print or a designer working on your next big project, the SureColor SC-P5000 is a printer that can help you achieve professional results.
Print Pantone Colours
Designers and professional printers know the importance of proofing before committing to printing in large amounts. The Epson SureColor SC-P5000 printer is an excellent tool for this, allowing you to achieve 99% correction with Pantone Solid Coated colours. This means that you can be confident that the colours you print will match the colours you need, saving time and money in the long run.
Printer with Integrated Roll Feeder
When you need to print professional-quality posters or banners, this printer is up to the task. The integrated roll feeder allows you to install rolls up to 17 inches wide to keep your prints coming, even when you’re printing in large quantities. The best roll paper choice for this printer for posters printing will be Premium Semimatte Photo Paper which is 260gsm and 30m long. And with a resolution of up to 2880x1440dpi, your prints will always look sharp and vibrant.
Prints That Last Long – Best Wide Format A2 Printer for Art Prints
Epson’s professional printers use UltraChrome HDX pigment inks to produce vibrant, high-quality prints that last long. With the right archival paper, the ink will keep its vibrancy for up to 60 years. This makes Epson’s professional printers ideal for those who need long-lasting, high-quality prints.
So whether you’re creating promotional materials for your business or displaying your art at a gallery, this printer will give you accurate colour reproduction for your projects.
Specs
- Printer Size: 863 x 766 x 405 mm (34 x 30 x 16 in) | 52 kg (114 lbs)
- Maximum Paper Thickness: Roll Paper: up to 0.5mm | Cut Sheet: up to 1.5mm
- Maximum Paper Size: A2 (17in wide with Roll Feeder)
- Ink Type: UltraChrome HDX pigment inks
- Printing Resolution: 2,880 x 1,440 dpi
- Printing Speed: 3-6 min (A2 colour print)
- Power Consumption: 52W
- Memory: 256MB
- Connectivity: Hi-Speed USB, Ethernet
- Warranty: 12 months
REASONS TO BUY
- Accurate in Pantone Colours
- Integrated roll feeder
- Pigment inks
- 12 months warranty
Cons
- Expensive ink cartridges
- Very Pricey
- Heavy
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Conclusion
When it comes to choosing a printer for your poster printing business, there are a lot of factors to consider. Price, performance, and features are all essential factors that will influence your decision. The Epson SC-P900 is a great option for photographers and designers who are looking for the best possible wide format printer for their needs. It offers excellent print quality and reliability, plus a wide range of features that make it an ideal poster printer. However, it is important to keep in mind that the price tag is around £1100 (around $1200-1300 in the US) and if you need the additional part such as a roll feeder that would be an extra £200-300. Overall, the Epson SC-P900 is a great choice for those who need a reliable and feature-rich printer for posters.
FAQ
Pigments are generally larger molecules that do not dissolve in the material they are being applied to. Instead, they rely on physical forces like friction to stay in place. This makes them ideal for printing applications, as the ink will not run or spread once applied. Dyes, on the other hand, are smaller molecules that actually dissolve in the material they are being applied to. This allows them to penetrate the fibres more deeply, resulting in a richer colour. However, it also makes them more likely to bleed and run if they get wet. As a result, dyes are generally better suited for colouring fabrics and other materials that will not be exposed to moisture.
To find out if your printer uses pigment or dye ink, check the manufacturer’s website or consult your printer’s manual. You can also look at the printouts themselves – pigment inks tend to have a more matte finish, while dye inks have a glossy finish. Another way to tell the difference between dye and pigment inks is to check if they are transparent. Dye inks will appear translucent, while pigment inks are powdery and will be solid.
Giclée printing is a type of high-quality printing that is typically used for reproductions of paintings or photographs. The word “giclee” comes from the French word for “nozzle”, which refers to the method of printing in which ink is sprayed onto the paper. Giclee prints are typically made on archival quality paper, which means that it is designed to last for a long time without fading or discolouring. This type of paper is often made from cotton or other natural fibres, and it has a special coating that helps to protect the print from moisture and UV light. In addition, giclee prints are usually made with pigment-based inks, which are less likely to fade over time than other types of inks. As a result, giclee prints can last for many years without losing their colour or clarity.
Under ideal conditions, archival paper can last hundreds of years. However, even under less than ideal conditions, it can still last many decades. Because of its durability, archival paper is a good choice for printing important documents or materials that need to be preserved for a long time.
Epson SC-P900 printer has also designed to print on boards up to 1.3mm thick and it offers outstanding print quality. Plus, this printer is very user-friendly, so you’ll be able to get started printing on board right away.
The choice of the optimal file format for poster printing hinges on the nature of the artwork. When working with vector-based designs, the PDF format is the preferred choice, whereas for image-intensive or photographic designs, the TIFF file format is the most suitable option.
The optimal DPI for poster printing varies according to the poster’s size. For standard poster dimensions, 300 DPI is typically ideal, providing crisp and detailed results. In the case of larger posters, while 300 DPI remains suitable, an ideal resolution might be 150 DPI, ensuring quality results while managing file size and production considerations.
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