Standard printers can’t produce large-scale prints needed for posters, signage, or detailed construction plans.
Using basic printers leads to poor resolution, misaligned layouts, or limited media types, resulting in wasted time and low-quality outputs.
Wide format printing solves this by enabling high-quality, large-size printing across various materials. It supports technical, commercial, and creative use. This article covers what wide format printing is and how it’s being used today.
What is Wide Format Printing?
Wide format printing refers to printing that supports widths from about 450 mm (17 inches) up to several metres wide. These printers use rolls of paper or other media rather than individual sheets. The print heads move across the width of the material while the media moves lengthwise, allowing seamless, oversized designs.
This type of printing is used when projects exceed standard A3 dimensions. It supports a wide range of materials including paper, vinyl, canvas, film, and fabric. Most systems use inkjet technology, with options for dye, pigment, UV-curable, solvent, or latex inks based on the application.
Industries such as architecture, retail, construction, and advertising depend on this method for accurate and scalable print output.
Common Uses of Wide Format Printing
Wide format printing is used in both commercial and industrial settings. Common outputs include:
- Retail signage such as window graphics and in-store displays
- Banners and event backdrops for conferences, festivals or promotions
- Construction site plans and blueprints requiring high detail and scale
- Vehicle decals and wraps printed on vinyl
- Maps and CAD drawings for town planning or engineering
- Wall graphics and murals used in office or public spaces
These prints must often resist weather, UV exposure or physical wear. Many are laminated or printed with long-lasting inks suited to their environment.
Which Industries Use Wide Format Printing?
Several sectors rely on wide format printing to meet specific operational or promotional needs:
- Construction and engineering for site plans, layouts and diagrams
- Retail and hospitality for promotional posters, menu boards and POS displays
- Event and exhibition services for booths, signage, floor graphics and flags
- Transport and fleet services for vehicle wraps and reflective decals
- Education and government for maps, floor plans and public notices
- Creative studios for fine art reproductions, canvas prints and photography displays
The choice of material and print method depends on use cases such as indoor, outdoor, temporary or permanent.
Benefits of Wide Format Printing
This print method offers practical advantages for users needing larger or non-standard output:
- Prints large without tiling to reduce seams and improve visual impact
- Compatible with diverse media including poster paper, fabric or rigid boards
- Accurate image and colour reproduction needed for branding or technical accuracy
- Faster production for bulk jobs with consistent quality
- Cost-efficient for short runs suitable for customised or localised campaigns
It also supports variable data printing, allowing for batch prints with minor differences such as QR codes or personalised messages.
What to Consider Before Choosing Wide Format Printing
Businesses should assess the following before starting a wide format print job:
- Size and resolution needs to ensure the artwork is suitable for large scale
- Indoor or outdoor use to select the right media and ink type
- Finishing requirements like lamination, cutting or mounting
- Quantity and frequency which can guide the decision to outsource or invest in equipment
- Turnaround time to ensure the printer meets project deadlines
File setup also matters. Print-ready files are often required in PDF, EPS or TIFF format with correct dimensions and bleed settings.
FAQs
What is considered a wide format print?
Any printed output wider than A3 (297 mm × 420 mm), typically up to several metres wide, is considered wide format.
What types of files are best for wide format printing?
High-resolution PDF, EPS or TIFF files with correct colour mode (CMYK) and bleed margins.
Can wide format printing be used for outdoor signs?
Yes, with weather-resistant inks and media such as vinyl, prints can withstand outdoor conditions.
Is wide format printing expensive?
Costs vary depending on materials, size, quantity and finish. Short runs are more affordable compared to traditional offset methods for large prints.
Do I need a graphic designer to create print-ready files?
It’s recommended, especially for commercial prints, to avoid sizing errors, colour mismatches or resolution issues.
Why Choose Jennings Print for Wide Format Projects
Jennings Print works closely with businesses, builders, and creatives across NSW to deliver large-scale printing that meets both design and technical requirements. Whether you need plan printing for construction sites, high-impact retail signage, or durable outdoor banners, our wide format services are set up to handle complex jobs with consistency.
We offer local support from prepress setup to print production. All orders are produced in-house, giving clients better turnaround, clear communication, and quality control.
Get in touch with us to discuss file setup, material options, or bulk run pricing. Our team is here to help you get accurate and professional results on every wide format print job.