Technology has played a key role in making content available everywhere. Content has influenced our lives to a great extent. Do you really care to see small visuals? The answer is no. But how about ignoring big and bold visuals? That is practically impossible. If you own a local coffee shop or run a branded apparel store, your prime objective will be to grab visitors’ attention. Irrespective of your business size, you can let big visuals speak louder for your brand and be your lifebuoy against competition.
Let’s assume that your message can be seen (and remembered) from a distance, or across the street? Will anyone driving down the street possibly miss your large-format billboard? Just calculate the number of hearts and minds your signage will captivate and influence.
That’s the transformative magic of large-format printing that brings your ideas to life and makes them shine.
Introduction: Why Large Format Printing Matters Today
Is your large-format display meant to advertise your product, service, and deliver a message to the audience, or is it worth a higher purpose? In the real sense, it is the most powerful tool for brands to initiate visual communication with their customers. Advertising of products or services is a bonus derivative.
A study shows that the human brain is empowered to process visual data 60,000 times faster than text. This means that we can process visual data more efficiently. This fact has inspired many brands to present their information as a visual instead of text, which greatly influences their audience. The way brands leverage this study helps them create a higher influence on their viewers, resulting in longer remembrance.
What is so special about large-format printing?
The modern-day industries are considering large-format printing as a key player in the marketing and advertising domains. With its help, companies are able to present their messages before the audience in a bold, clear, and stylish manner.
The large display market has witnessed significant technological advancements in the past few years. The market size of Large Format Display is estimated at USD 17.56 billion in 2025. and it is expected to reach USD 24.10 billion by 2030. This growth is projected at a CAGR of 6.54% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
Source: www.mordorintelligence.com
Skyscrapers are no longer limited to being civil structures. They have become the new silver screen for large-format signage. These visual branding solutions displayed on skyscrapers have offered unmatched visibility, created immersive environments, converted spaces into storytelling canvases, and delivered superior client engagement to their brands.
What is Large Format Printing?
Before diving into further details, it is essential to understand what large-format printing is. People also know it as wide-format printing or grand-format printing. These new names also mean that our large-format printed visuals are too large and cannot be produced on standard or conventional commercial printers. The wow part is that these colossal prints are anything over 18 inches in width and sometimes span up to 100 inches or more. Their width is based on the kind of print and the area to be covered using that print.
You might have seen traditional printing methods, but they are great for small brochures, flyers, and other smaller advertising products. At the same time, the large-format printers have been specifically designed to take care of large-sized banner printing. They can also print other large and expansive signage materials with pure precision.
The print and advertising industry uses large-format printing machines to generate immediate, bold, and visible brand impressions in the form of large-scale banners that are used both indoors and outdoors.
Key Benefits of Large Format Printing
Now that we have understood what large-format printing is, it is more than essential to know its benefits for businesses.
The benefits of large format printing are immense, making it a favorite advertising option for marketers, retailers, advertising agencies, and event planners
- High Visibility: This is the most powerful benefit that compels every passerby to watch your banner. Install it on a building, vehicle, or at a trade show; large-sized prints are sure to grab attention instantly.
- Customizability: Obviously, the same banner cannot serve different purposes. Hence, tailor your message to suit specific campaigns, festive seasons, or a niche audience using custom signage printing.
- Versatility: If large-format prints weren’t versatile, brands wouldn’t opt for them. From vinyl banners to fabric backdrops, deploy large-format prints across various settings.
- Durability: Even with such massive size, your large format signage is built to withstand environmental impact. These business advertising signs go a long way towards lasting through tough times and weather.
Common Products Made with Large Format Printing
When large-format printing offers great and reliable benefits, it obviously will produce a multitude of promotional and decorative products.
Let’s have a look at those products:
- Posters: Our posters are your go-to solution for announcements, promotions, and events. Let Sign Solutions ensure your message is seen, heard, and remembered while you get ready to make a bold statement.
- Banners: Large-format printed banners are awesome for commanding attention, indoors and out. Banners are essential advertising tools designed to maximize your brand's visibility and leave a lasting impression.
- Vehicle Wraps: Reimagine your fleet dressed in a new avatar. Transform your vehicles into powerful, mobile billboards that spread your brand message far and wide.
- Wall Murals: Bring your walls to life with your brand story. Let your brand's unique story be an inspiration for your audience. Craft an unforgettable ambiance with our murals, converting your business space into a creative masterpiece.
- Custom Window Decals: Attract window shoppers with appealing window decals. Custom window decals are ideal for seasonal charm. These decals spice up your storefront with their unique touch while boosting your brand visibility.
- Floor Stickers: Step into effective marketing. Our floor stickers keep your message visible. They direct customers in the right direction. Floor stickers can help with promotions and share important safety information.
Related Blog: Role Of Large Format Printing In Modern Outdoor Advertising
Types of Large Format Printing Methods
Now that we have understood the types of products that can be produced from large-format printing, we need to know the available methods. Each method is unique and suited for specific applications and budgets:
- Inkjet Printing: Ideal for high-resolution images and flexible materials.
- UV Printing: Cures ink instantly with ultraviolet light—ideal for speed and accuracy.
- Latex Printing: Uses water-based inks for more environmentally friendly prints.
- Solvent Printing: Has great durability; suitable for outdoor applications.
- Dye-Sublimation: Ideal for textiles, providing vibrant dye-sublimation graphics.
In the world of wide-format printing, UV and solvent technologies have long been leaders, each with its advantages. UV printing stands out with its rapid drying times and the ability to print on a very wide variety of materials. This makes it a preferred choice for quick turnarounds and a range of different projects.
However, solvent printing still holds its ground, especially for tough outdoor signage that needs to withstand the elements. Its durability in harsh conditions is simply unmatched.
But here's where the plot thickens: a significant shift is underway in the industry. More and more, forward-thinking brands are intentionally choosing to adopt eco-friendly printing options.
Technologies like latex and dye-sublimation are gaining significant traction as businesses aim to reduce their environmental impact. It's an exciting time as innovation combines with sustainability.
Related Blog: Simple Ways To Make Signs More Eco-Friendly
Choosing the Right Material for Your Print
Be smart! Choose the right substrate to greatly influence performance and aesthetics:
- Vinyl banner material: Turns out to be the most durable and weather-resistant product; great for events or exterior signage.
- Mesh: The tiny holes are great for letting wind pass through them. Simply an ideal choice for fencing or construction wraps.
- Fabric: Ideal where you don’t need the weight to be hung. Being lightweight makes it a great choice for indoor displays and backdrops.
- Adhesive paper: Need to see new and fresh visuals every few months. Switch to adhesive papers for temporary indoor posters and wall decals.
Whether you're looking at outdoor signage options or considering fabric vs paper printing, understanding material behavior in different environments ensures your message endures.
Related Blog: How To Pick The Right Material For Your Outdoor Signage
The Step-by-Step Printing Process
Here’s the printing process explained for first-time users:
- Design & Prepress: Ensure your artwork meets the correct specifications and includes a print prepress checklist, covering color mode (CMYK), bleed margins, and file type.
- Printing: Depending on the selected method, the design is applied to the chosen material.
- Finishing: This process includes trimming followed by lamination, mounting, or grommeting.
- Installation: In this process, the professionals will install banners, wraps, or decals, ensuring optimal visibility and longevity.
Tips for High-Quality Large Format Prints
Here are a few important tips to save you from committing costly mistakes. These large-format design tips will also help you maximize the print impact:
- Use vector graphics when and where possible.
- Always use high print resolution settings. Keep at least 150 DPI at full scale.
- Maintain proper bleed (usually 0.125–0.25 inches).
- Use CMYK color mode for accurate output.
- Save files in print-ready formats like PDF, TIFF, or EPS.
- Always prepare files for printing in collaboration with your printer to avoid surprises.
Hiring a Professional vs. In-House Printing
This is a tricky question that most businesses ask. Let’s break down:
- Professional print services: They know their business well; hence, they offer the right quality, advanced materials to print on, and proper installation of the final product along with the necessary accessories.
- Outsourcing large-format prints: Doing so is in your interest. It would be a more cost-effective deal for one-off or complex projects.
- In-house printing: It may sound beneficial for high-volume needs, but are your finances ready for the expensive initial setup and recurring maintenance thereafter? Can you hire and maintain a team of technicians/experts to do the job?
A simpler way to decide is to consider the cost of commercial printing. You must also evaluate the quality you get and the time you save by outsourcing your large-format printing to seasoned professionals versus managing the printing assignment in-house.
Types of Large Format Printers Explained
Understanding the types of large-format printers can help you choose the right vendor:
- Inkjet Printers: Ideal for photographic detail.
- UV Printers: Versatile and fast, great for rigid materials.
- Latex Printers: Known for environmental safety and indoor application.
- Dye-Sublimation Printers: Best for soft signage like flags or fabric displays.
- Aqueous Printers: Used for high-resolution indoor graphics.
Latex vs UV printers: Latex printers are safer and more eco-friendly, while UV printers are great for quick jobs on a variety of surfaces. Choose the best printer for banners based on turnaround time, resolution needs, and location (indoor vs outdoor).
Industries That Rely on Large Format Printing
Large-format printed visuals offer a powerful landscape to fuel visibility across sectors:
- Real estate signage: An ideal choice for premium properties. Market your listings with eye-catching open house and property signs that no one can miss.
- Large format for retail: Retail stores can leverage large-format displays with in-store displays, promotional posters, and seasonal décor.
- Industry signage solutions: Serve education (campus signs), hospitality (event banners), and healthcare (wayfinding graphics).
Every industry that faces the general public can benefit from large, clear, and durable signage created using large-format printing.
Conclusion: Make a Big Impression with Wall-Worthy Prints
Impactful marketing prints are more than big images. They are branding in motion. A smart signage strategy can turn empty spaces into brand stories. It attracts more foot traffic and leaves a lasting impression.
Boost your brand visibility or update your retail space with large-format printing. This printing method is impactful and cost-effective. It turns bold ideas into stunning, eye-catching displays.