When you are walking through a busy high street or attending a trade exhibition, the striking visual graphics that catch your eye are likely to be large format prints. From juggernaut-esque building wraps to stylish and eye-catching event banners, this specialised printing format has become essential for a wide range of UK businesses looking to make a bold visual impact on their customers.
In this article, we will look at what makes large format prints unique from other physical printing methods, examine their diverse applications, and hopefully help you understand how this versatile medium can support your business objectives while working within your budget constraints.
Large format printing, sometimes known as ‘wide format printing’, refers to any printing process that produces materials larger than the standard A3 size (293 x 420 mm). ‘Wide format’ is a technical printing term, indicating adjustments needing to be made to many standard flexographic printing press setups. This aside, you can already see that this is a wide category, encompassing everything from modest A2 posters to massive façade graphics capable of spanning entire buildings. From a design perspective, the distinction between large and standard (or small format/narrow web) printing lies in both the scale and the quality achievable. Unlike small format printing, which is usually used to create documents, labels, and smaller materials, large format printing requires specialist printing machinery designed to process much wider substrates, typically ranging from 24 inches to several metres in width.
There are several applications of large format prints in the commercial world, including:
Banners are one of the most popular formats for large format printing companies and their customers, used for promotional indoor signage, temporary seasonal campaigns, and durable outdoor banners for year-round advertising. Modern large format printing technology has the capacity to deliver results that traditional methods simply can’t match. Alongside excellent durability and image quality, modern banner printing can accommodate various mounting systems, from simple islets for easy hanging to sophisticated tension systems used in professional event installations. This flexibility allows you to adapt your large-scale prints to different venues, audiences, and requirements without compromising visual impact.
Building wraps or architectural graphics are the pinnacle of large format printing. These large-scale installations can transform entire structures into advertising platforms, creating an unmissable brand statement that reaches thousands of potential customers each day. Giving you a 24/7 advertising presence, building wraps cannot be ignored by passers-by, and also create powerful social media opportunities, as many people naturally photograph and share impressive visual displays through their phones. You don’t have to be based in a skyscraper to take advantage of architectural graphics, either; even a modest wall or outdoor space can be a good canvas for an impactful brand statement. Some businesses also use architectural graphics as a promotional façade for scaffolding during building or renovation work.
Tradeshows and commercial exhibitions are a great arena for marketing collateral, and large format printing excels in these environments, capable of producing everything from backdrop wall images to floor graphics, and everything in between. The ability to create a cohesive visual experience across multiple print elements, covering your hanging banners to counter displays, can help your business stand out in a crowded exhibition hall, reinforcing your professional image and maximising your investment in event participation.
When evaluated on a cost per impression basis, large format prints often outperform smaller format and purely digital advertising methods. A single strategically placed banner or graphic can generate thousands of daily impressions over months or even years, delivering an exceptional return on investment. The quality of modern print production and substrates extends this value proposition still further. Modern, weather and UV-resistant graphics can maintain their pristine appearance for longer periods than older installations, creating multiple touch points across a longer timeframe and reducing your ongoing marketing collateral costs.
To find out more, please contact one of the large format printing specialists at MTA Digital today by clicking here.
Image source: Canva