Digital printing refers to printing images rather than using a plotter to cut them as a vinyl graphic much like you would on your home printer. There are a variety of methods by which this is done to suit different needs using different printer and ink types on a variety of materials from paper or adhesive vinyl to materials like canvas and cloth.
The reason for having different printing solutions depend on a variety of factors including size, ink durability, print quality, colour, application surface, and of course cost. Digital prints can use raster or vector image files to print from.
Xtreme has access to all of these printing types and can advise on the best method to suit your job whether it’s a simple custom sticker for your personal vehicle or large digitally printed signs or banners for your business. The very nature of the sign industry requires finding unique solutions to your ideas or providing our own experience to help you get the job done.
Of course it’s always best to get professional advice but here’s a very basic breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages of the main printing methods. Keep in mind that there are sometimes exceptions and quite often the detail and particular design of a graphic can predetermine the best way to go.
INK JET printing works much the same in large format as it does on your desktop and produces some of the best quality prints of the other methods at large sizes on a variety of substrates. Ink Jet is ideal for photographic or detailed images meant to be viewed from closer in such as mounted or canvas stretched wall portraits, or large format posters.
The main disadvantage of Ink Jet printing is cost which is significantly more than Solvent printing in larger sizes. Also, although there have been significant improvements in UV inks which rival solvents, it is recommended to have a laminate applied for added UV protection from ultraviolet fading and indoor use.
SOLVENT JET printing is ideal for large prints for use outdoors. With a 3 year average life expectancy (5 years with laminate) newer solvent printers can offer a bigger bang for the buck with a very respectable print resolution. It is possible to print on a large variety of substrates and is the preferred method for cost-effective vehicle wraps and trade-show banners.
GERBER EDGE uses heat and pressure to transfer resin-based pigments. Although limited to under 12î in printing width Edge prints are ideal for bar-coded labels or short-
With advances in the industry we’ve seen the possibilities for display advertising increase at an astounding rate in over a decade of being in the sign business and are no longer. Many of the following applications were once only high-cost solutions for large business but no longer! Here are some interesting applications for using digital printing to maximize your connection to potential clients:
Full colour vehicle graphics and wraps
Perforated film graphics - acts like tint on a window for one-way viewability
Floor graphics - use the floor as an innovative advertisement method
Translucent printing - photographic rear-lit box signs
Banners - great for indoor or outdoor uses
A-frames - great for sidewalk or in-store advertising
Mounted and Canvas Stretched portraits - Made from your own digicam photos!
Flags or fabric material prints
Have an idea? Ask Xtreme
