Large Format Printing for ever changing

I have been in the printing trade for more than 20 years now and have seen a lot of changes. And back in 2001 I went to work for Debenhams to work in their Pre-Press department. In that department we use to prep up files for Litho, Digital and Large Format Printing.

While I was there, Debenhams had 20 Encad 50 Inch Printers. These were used to supply the 100+ stores with all there Pos posters. It was incredible the amount of work that we use to through all these large format printers and it was incredible about the amount of issues we came across with the Large format Printers. (I am lead to believe that now only have one large format printer that produces all the work. While I was there i under took an ICC colour Management course which solved a lot of colour issues that we had.

After leaving Debenhams in 2004 I started up my own Large format Printing business with an Epson 9600. It did everything I need it to do. Then in 2007 I took over Scriveners Reprographics. Because there were some big changes in the print trade which would effect Scriveners I decided to make the main part of the business being Large Format Printing. After selling Epson Printers on ebay I decided to Buy two Canon IPFs 12 colour printers. to this day they still see me proud.

But what now. As I am looking and buying another Large Format printer in the next 12 months and there is so much to choose from and what they can now do amazes me. Here are some examples.

The Epson GS60000
A 64 inch Solvent Printer. I have heard some good reports and bad reports.

Canon imagePrograf IPF9000
I do like my Canon printer as it produces very nice fine art images and photo prints. But I prefer to widen my services and keep the old printers for now.

Mimaki
This printer gives you the option of white and metallic inks. Sound good, but is it? will I used the extra inks that much?

Oce Arizona
Now this is a flat bed large format printer. Ok I like this and Océ is part of the canon Group. How I would like this to be my next step but my pockets are not deep enough.

There are so many Large Format Printers  inc HP who uses latex inks.

Then I came across Direct Jet printer that was on the Russel Brown Show It is a bit small for me but its interesting.

I will be looking deeper into a lot of large format printers over the next few months and will keep you up to date with my findings.  Cheers Jake