The Dynamic World of Wide Format Printing: Industry Trends, Verticals, and News

Wide format printing has transformed the way businesses communicate visually, offering high-quality, large-scale prints with exceptional clarity and impact. As a leading player in the wide format printing industry, Cobb has experienced substantial success in recent years. With over 350 placements in the state and the largest number of technicians among all dealers, Cobb has solidified its position as the number one large format dealer in the state. 

As the industry progresses, various trends, verticals, and developments are shaping the landscape of wide format printing. So, let’s explore the latest industry trends, key verticals utilizing wide format printing, and recent news in this dynamic field.

Verticals: Architectural, Engineering, and Construction (AEC)

The AEC vertical remains a dominant force driving the wide format printing industry. Architects, engineers, and construction professionals rely heavily on wide format printers to produce technical documents. Cobb Technologies, a prominent player in the industry, focuses primarily on serving the technical wide format printing needs of this vertical. While the success of Cobb largely stems from its deep rooted presence within the AEC segment, we also have customers from churches and print shop industries.

Noteworthy Products: Canon and HP Leading the Way

When it comes to wide format printing, Canon and HP are two prominent brands making significant strides. Canon, after acquiring Oce, bolstered its product line with PlotWave and ColorWave printers, renowned for high-quality black and white and color laser-toner printing. However, Canon recognized the growing demand for improved color printing and released the TZ-30000 inkjet printer, built with productivity in mind, delivering excellent speed, high-quality color reproduction, and intricate detailing.

On the other hand, HP's DesignJet series caters to low to medium-end applications, while their PageWide XL Pro series presents printers with enhanced precision and improved printing quality. This PageWide XL Pro printer is designed for high-volume printing. Notably, the latest addition to HP's lineup allows direct printing on specific foam presentation boards, expanding the possibilities for wide format printing applications.

Reliability, Speed, and Quality: Key Considerations

In the world of wide format printing, reliability, speed, and quality remain critical factors for businesses. The technical printing requirements of the AEC vertical necessitate high-volume output and exceptional quality. Wide format printers utilizing pigment ink, such as Canon's TZ and HP's PageWide XL Pro printers, offer an approximate outdoor lifespan of six months for applications requiring limited but decent outdoor protection. The introduction of HP's PageWide XL printers in 2015 revolutionized the industry by making color printing fast and cost-effective, leading to an increased expectation and requirement for color prints in various applications. HP's PageWide XL technology utilizes eight static printheads, applying ink to the paper moving at speed underneath the heads. This single-pass printing technology made large format color printing faster and more affordable.

Industry News & Trends: The Digital Transformation

Innovation plays a crucial role in the wide format printing industry. Amidst the digital transformation taking place across industries, the wide format printing industry has also witnessed a shift towards digital needs. Scanners are now a regular part of the wide format printing solution, enabling easy integration and digital workflows. One notable trend is the emergence of printers equipped with a single-row array of laser scanners. This technology allows for precise and rapid printing, enhancing productivity and quality. Despite the digitalization trend, the demand for physical prints remains strong, driven by the booming commercial space, real estate industry, and the need for creative print applications on various materials.

Wide format printers are becoming increasingly integrated with fleet management software, which can help with printer maintenance by providing tools to manage and track printer usage. This can lead to increased productivity and efficiency. They can also integrate with accounting packages, allowing for more efficient and accurate billing. These integrations remove the need to manually assess and input data, making the financial aspects of the business that much smoother.

relevance

The wide format printing industry continues to evolve with new technologies, product advancements, and shifting customer demands. As the industry embraces digitalization, the importance of scanners and digital workflow integration has grown. Nevertheless, wide format printing remains relevant, driven by the creativity and diverse applications it offers. With our success and market dominance, we continue to be a trusted partner for businesses seeking exceptional wide format printing solutions, particularly within the technical space. We look forward to providing you with the best machine and service in the area!