Our A to Z of Wide Format – H is for Hardware

Applications, Bleed, RIP Software…. We get asked lots of questions about the world of Wide Format on a daily basis. At Signmaster we are here to help and our lovely team of experts have pulled together a handy A to Z guide answering the most frequently asked questions.

Introducing the Signmaster A to Z of Wide Format

This is a series of helpful blogs, guides and articles that we hope you will find useful. We will post a new blog every fortnight and we’d love to know what you think so please comment or drop us an email. We’d love to hear from you!

This week it’s all about Hardware

Hardware

Hardware is an integral part of any print business and comes in all shapes and sizes. Without it we would not be able to produce any printed products, applications or be able to finish them.

The most obvious hardware that we think of is the printing devices, whether it be a press, screen, digital printer etc. However, these are only the first part of the greater solution. The printer needs to be supported by more hardware in order to progress the printed product through to being at a point it can be handed over to the client.

The sector that we specialise in is wide-format, whether this is a wide-format printer or wide-format finishing system. Areas that we service are UV printing and solvent/eco-solvent printing.

UV Printing

UV printing is when we print direct to a substrate such as printing:

• Direct to board
• Printing promotional products i.e. pens, phone cases etc
• Products made of slate, leather or wood

UV printers are perfect for applications that require the use of white ink due to the viscosity of the ink. More can be found out about UV printing by downloading our ‘Guide to UV’

Eco-Solvent Printing

Eco-solvent/ solvent printing is a long established, tried and tested method of printing onto a flexible material. Typically, SAV (self-adhesive vinyl), PVC banner, canvas, paper, there is such an extensive range of materials that can be printed, through using solvent inks (wallpaper, contra vision, cling, t-shirt vinyl, roll-up, backlit) the list goes on. We have media specialist that can help offer advice on available media’s and the most appropriate medias for specific applications.

Typically, the prints from a solvent machine go through some kind of finishing process, either mounted onto another media such as board, laminated, trimmed, eyeletted or heat-pressed.

The Forgotten Hardware

Hardware that can often be overlooked, is products that support the finishing process such as flatbed applicators, laminating solutions, board cutters, flatbed cutter/ routers, cutter/plotters, heat presses and cutting rails.

Having the right hardware in-place will have a big impact on a company’s workflow and production capabilities.

Benefits can include:

• Optimising efficiency
• Minimising waste
• Maximising the quality of finished product
• Improving and maintaining staff morale!!

Please feel free to speak to one of our specialists on 01948 662669 to discuss your existing hardware configuration/requirements and see if we can offer any honest and impartial advice to support your business.

What is the piece of hardware that your business can’t do without?  Get in touch, we would love to hear from you!