Issue link: https://nbm.uberflip.com/i/1425980
78 graphics-pro.com S T A R T H E R E 2 0 2 1 Image courtesy CET Color One can get started in wide-format digital printing with a relatively modest investment. (Image courtesy Mutoh America) In both cases, however, there are fundamental factors that buyers should take into consideration, including printer width, speed, cost of operation, reliability, durability, and ease of use. You'll want to purchase a quality printer that's ideal for the products/services you want to provide and will serve your needs as your company grows." What Types of Printers Should You Look at and Why? Depending on the type of business and the markets you plan to serve, Conrad says you may need to look at a variety of printers with a variety of ink types. "UV-curable inks for specialty and promotional printing and package design, eco solvent inks for outdoor signs, banners and wraps, dye-sublimation inks for T-shirt or apparel and home decor — all of these are options that you need to evaluate to make the right choice for your business. Maybe you can use the eco solvent printer for your signs, banners, wraps, displays, and vinyl transfers for your T-shirts or apparel business until you grow into another separate dye-sublimation printer in the future? A UV-LED hybrid can accommodate your rigid and your roll media for indoor signs and packaging prototypes until you can afford a true flatbed to designate strictly to heavy production runs? All of these are factors you need to address." Maxwell points out that the type of ink (water-based (aqueous), eco-solvent/solvent, UV cure, latex, etc.) and platform (roll-fed, tabletop, or flatbed) are determined by the types of applications to be produced. "There is a wide array of equipment to suit just There is a wide array of equipment to suit just about any application in accessible price ranges.