Understanding the Wide Format Inkjet Market

UNDERSTANDING THE WIDE FORMAT MARKET And a Guide to Wide Format Inks

Understanding the Wide Format Market: And a Guide to Wide Format Inks 2

Wide or Large Format Printers are generally recognized as any printer with a print width between 24” and 72”.

Printers with rolls exceeding 72” in width are known as Grand Format.

What is Wide Format Printing?

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Why Invest in Wide Format?

• One of the largest, fastest-growing opportunities in commercial printing.

• Signage is constantly in high-demand.• Doesn’t require overwhelming capital

investment to get started.• Tremendous ROI potential.

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• $55 billion worldwide market• Roughly half of market value

comes from North America• 6.5% CAGR (2012 to 2017)

Market Overview

2012 2017

$55.0

$75.4

Global Digital Wide Format Retail Value ($B)

Source: InfoTrends’ Wide Format Service

Understanding the Wide Format Market: And a Guide to Wide Format InksMay 1, 2023

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Wide Format Commands Major Marketing SpendIndustry Share of Marketing Budget

Spent on Wide FormatTotal 16.1%

Hospitality 19.9%

Events 17.7%

Entertainment 16.5%

Advertising/Media 15.4%

Retail 14.9%

Healthcare 14.5%

Source: Wide Format Printing: A Critical Element in the Communications Mix, InfoTrends, 2013


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Wide Format Print Applications

Source: IDC September 2015

Understanding the Wide Format Market: And a Guide to Wide Format Inks

BannersPosters

SignsPoint-of-Purchase graphics

Wall coverings/muralsDecalsProofs

Floor graphicsVehicle graphics

MapsArchitectural renderings

Engineering drawingsVehicle wraps

Other

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

81%80%

78%49%

48%46%

41%37%

36%26%

24%22%

16%2%

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Signage Drives Consumer Behavior

Survey of American consumers found:

• 76% have entered a store for the first time based on its signage• 68% have purchased a product because signage caught their eye• 3 out of 4 have told someone about a store based on its signage• 68% believe a store’s signage is reflective of their quality of products• 52% are less willing to enter a store if the signage quality is poor

Source: FedEx Office “What’s Your Sign”


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Considerations when Choosing a Wide Format Printer

• Applications and intended usages• Costs• Performance and speed• Image quality• Environmental concerns


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There are many manufacturers that produce wide format inkjet printers.

One of the key differentiators amongst these printers is the specific ink systems used.

Some of the major types of wide format inks include:

What Makes Wide Format Technologies Different?

• Aqueous Dye• Aqueous Pigment • Solvent• Eco-Solvent• Latex• UV-Cured


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In aqueous ink systems, water is used as a carrier for the colorants, which can be either dye or pigment.

• With dye-based aqueous inks, the colorant stains the substrate when applied, drying as the water evaporates.

• With pigment-based aqueous inks, particles of colorant are suspended in the carrier fluid, drying at or near the surface of the substrate.

Aqueous Inks

Dye-based inks:+ Wider color gamut+ Less expensive− More prone to fading in UV light− Not waterproof

Pigment-based inks:+ More lightfast+ Water resistant− Smaller color gamut



Aqueous Inks (Dye and Pigment)APPLICATIONS AND USES

• Canvas and paper fine art prints

• Indoor signage

• Sales promotions

• Tradeshows and events

• Architectural renderings

• Decals

• Labels

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In solvent ink systems, VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are used as the carrier, while colorants are pigments.

Solvent Inks

+ Excellent fade resistance+ Waterproof and durable+ Generally inexpensive

− Some environmental concerns− May require 24 hours to fully dry− Requires special ventilation


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In eco-solvent ink systems, colorants are pigments while the carrier is extracts of refined mineral oil.

Eco-Solvent Inks

+ Retain the benefits of solvent inks+ Less toxic than true solvent inks

− Slower dry times than solvent inks− Still considered a hazardous chemical− Ventilation may still be required



Solvent and Eco-Solvent InksAPPLICATIONS AND USES

• Long-term outdoor signage and vinyl

• Adhesive decals

• Wall graphics

• Point-of-Purchase displays

• Banners

• Tradeshow graphics

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Latex ink systems involve water-based inks, with the carrier being water along with a polymer that is bonded to the surface with heat.

Latex Inks

+ Newest, most versatile ink technology+ Non-toxic, odorless, non-flammable, non-combustible+ Immediately dry+ Vibrant and vivid images+ Excellent durability



Latex InksAPPLICATIONS AND USES

• Industrial use

• Outdoor banners

• Point-of-Sale displays

• Vinyl signs

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With UV-cured inks, the colorants can be either dye or pigment, but go through a curing process upon printing that involves exposure to a strong UV light source.

UV-Cured Inks + Widest range of substrates+ Rapid drying+ Excellent durability+ Low environmental impact

− Uncured inks and UV-curing units may pose risks− Can be susceptible to cracking on flexible substrates− Shorter shelf-life for inks



UV-Cured Inks APPLICATIONS AND USES

• Adheres well to most surfaces

• Industrial use

• Point-of-Sale displays

• Roll materials, including banners, vinyls and fabrics

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Mohawk’s expansive portfolio of wide format

inkjet substrates are designed to support a vast range of ink technologies

and applications.

THE WIDE FORMAT MARKET IS BOOMING.


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Mohawk MakeReady

provides practical resources for digital

printing.

WE CAN HELP

VISIT MOHAWKMAKEREADY.COM FOR MORE TOOLS & TO JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Understanding the Wide Format Market: And a Guide to Wide Format Inks

Date post:	10-Feb-2017
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Understanding the Wide Format Inkjet Market

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