Wide format printers unlock endless possibilities for creativity and design, giving print businesses the opportunity to offer a vast range of services to their customers. Whether it's creative expression, limited-run art pieces, eye-catching advertising materials, or outdoor event signage, if you can imagine it, a wide format printer can likely bring it to life.
The real magic of these printers lies not only in their ease of use and sophisticated printing software but also in the sheer range of materials they can handle. Here, we explore the different wide format print materials available and the impressive results they can achieve.
Canvas And Textiles
Canvas isn't just for painting—it's perfect for printing too. Wide format printers are ideal for art reproductions, framed prints, or high-end signage. Canvas adds a unique textured finish, giving printed works a premium look and feel, which makes it a popular choice for custom art projects and elegant displays. Textiles and fabrics, meanwhile, are great for creating custom interior décor, tradeshow displays, and backlit signs.
Their lightweight, flexible nature offers an eye-catching alternative to traditional materials, allowing designers to create vibrant, custom interiors and engaging exhibition pieces. Additionally, textiles like polyester blends are increasingly used for fabric banners and flags, providing durability and vibrant colour that holds up well outdoors. The ability to print on different types of fabrics such as cotton, polyester, and even silk means that wide format printing is ideal for producing items like custom curtains, tablecloths, and promotional banners.
Vinyl
Vinyl is often considered the "greatest of all time" (GOAT) among wide format print materials due to its versatility and myriad applications. Its durability, flexibility, and compatibility with different adhesives make it a workhorse in the print world. Vinyl is suitable for a wide range of uses, including window graphics, wall murals, signage, banners, and vehicle wraps.
It can withstand the elements, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications, and is available in multiple finishes, allowing for eye-catching, glossy advertising or a more understated, matt aesthetic. In addition to standard calendared and cast vinyl, there are also speciality options like reflective vinyl for safety signage, which enhances visibility at night, and perforated vinyl for see-through graphics, commonly used on vehicle windows.
Poster Paper
While poster paper might traditionally be associated with standard printing, it works just as effectively with wide format printers. Poster paper is an excellent option for advertising materials, marketing campaigns, and point-of-sale displays. It offers vibrant colour reproduction at a cost-effective price point, making it perfect for high-volume printing projects.
Poster paper is well-suited to both short-term and longer-term campaigns and comes in a variety of finishes, from high gloss to matt, ensuring that there is an option for every project requirement. Another advantage of poster paper is its adaptability; it can be used for both indoor and outdoor posters when paired with the right protective coatings or lamination, ensuring the longevity of prints even in harsher conditions.
Blueback Paper
Blueback paper is easily recognisable by the distinctive blue coating on its reverse side, which makes it an ideal medium for billboards, posters, and other outdoor advertising. The blue backing effectively prevents show-through from any underlying posters or graphics, ensuring sharp, vibrant prints.
Blueback paper is particularly useful for cases where new posters are applied over old ones, providing an opaque base that maintains a professional finish without interference from older layers. Its water-resistant properties also make it an excellent choice for outdoor environments, and the high tear resistance ensures the material holds up well, even in challenging weather conditions.
One Way Vision Film & Frosted Vinyl
One Way Vision Film is the perfect choice for storefronts, vehicle windows, and other glass surfaces, offering visibility from the inside while displaying clear graphics from the outside. It serves as a great tool for transforming windows into advertising space without blocking light or completely obscuring visibility.
Another similar product, frosted glass vinyl, offers a degree of privacy while still allowing light to pass through, making it well-suited for office environments, retail settings, and residential spaces. Frosted vinyl can be printed with graphics, branding, or text, adding a functional yet stylish element to the design. Additionally, etched vinyl is often used to create elegant patterns on glass partitions, contributing to privacy and aesthetics in corporate or hospitality settings.
Magnetic Vinyl
Magnetic vinyl is an incredibly versatile solution, particularly for vehicle signage where removability is essential. This material allows businesses to change their branding or promotional message as needed, making it ideal for temporary campaigns or when multiple messages are needed for different events.
Magnetic vinyl can be easily removed and reapplied without damaging the underlying surface, making it an attractive option for flexible, short-term marketing initiatives. Its strength and durability also make it suitable for outdoor advertising, allowing for effective promotions that can easily adapt to changing marketing needs.
Heat Transfer Vinyl
Heat transfer vinyl (HTV) is widely used to apply graphics, lettering, and designs to fabrics and other surfaces using heat and pressure. It is available in a wide range of finishes, including matt, gloss, metallic, glitter, and textured options. This versatility makes HTV perfect for creating branded merchandise, clothing, and promotional products.
From sportswear to custom uniforms, HTV offers a durable and highly customisable solution that stands up well to repeated washing and wear, ensuring that designs remain vibrant and intact. Advances in heat transfer technology now also allow for stretchable HTV, which is particularly useful for athletic wear, ensuring that the applied graphics move comfortably with the fabric.
Rigid Substrates: Foam Board, Correx, And Dibond
Wide format printing is not limited to flexible materials; rigid substrates like foam board, Correx, and Dibond also offer unique advantages. Foam board is lightweight, easy to cut, and ideal for indoor applications such as point-of-sale displays, presentations, and exhibition panels. Correx, a corrugated plastic board, is perfect for short-term outdoor signage due to its durability and water resistance.
Dibond, an aluminium composite material, is highly durable and suited for both indoor and outdoor long-term signage, offering a smooth surface for high-quality prints. These materials are particularly valuable for creating strong, impactful signs that need to endure different environmental conditions.
Expand Your Print Capabilities
Are you ready to take your wide format printing to the next level? From canvas to poster paper, blueback paper to magnetic vinyl, and even rigid substrates like Dibond, wide format print materials offer a versatile range of possibilities to suit all your customer needs. Whether you're creating custom art prints, high-impact promotional displays, or practical removable signage, the right material can make all the difference.
Contact our team today to learn more about how you can expand your service offering and make the most of these diverse materials!
