Introduction

Budding large Format printer shops often face operational and mechanical problems that hinder their business growth. For example, if the printer is not printing properly, it might take a long time to diagnose and fix the problem. These problems create bottlenecks that cause delays in printing processes, waste of resources, and unnecessary repair expenses.

During such circumstances, orders tend to pile up and create backlogs that again puts the large format printer at risk of overload and finally ending up in damage. Furthermore, manually lining up print orders and changing the print materials decreases operational efficiency, increases labor costs and puts the business at risk of manual errors.

A large Format Printing software eliminates these drawbacks and enables you to maximize your printer’s production potential. With the large format printing market growing at a rate of 5.4% CAGR every year, implementing software solutions will help you capitalize on this opportunity and participate in a rapidly growing industry.

Now, finding the best software for large format printing for your business can be challenging since there are numerous offerings in the market. Therefore, to help you make better decisions, we have created an in-depth guide on how to choose a printing software that complements your business strategy.

What Is Large Format Printing?

Large format printing refers to producing sizeable prints, like banners and graphics, usually for advertisements. In addition, large format printers create wall art, floor graphics, artwork, and signs.

Similarly, wide format printing is a type of large format digital printing that creates billboards and murals. Plotters and flatbed printers produce these oversized print jobs. Furthermore, flatbed printers produce prints on any material, including-

• Paper
• Wood
• Acrylic paper
• Glass
• Coroplast
• Canvas
• Cloth
• Metals
• Vinyl
• PVC

What Does Large Format Print Software Do?

Now, different clients may have differing requirements that mandate the use of different types of inventories. Manually scheduling jobs, switching between multiple materials, and offering price estimates becomes a cumbersome and time-consuming task.

Integrating a large formating print software offers multiple benefits. Integrating a large formating print software offers multiple benefits.

Automation of tasks

Printing software streamlines workflow, reducing human intervention. The automated process also identifies inefficiencies and alerts the management about minimizing waste. The software’s access to the printer also keeps a close check on toner levels and servicing requirements of different printer parts.

Efficient Approval System

The software sports efficient approval systems that automatically approve orders from repeat customers. Naturally, the systems allow for manual approval for one-off projects and special tasks. The upgradation of the approval systems prevents bottlenecks and queues up jobs faster.

Web2Print functions

Web2Print (W2P) modules offer the customers a direct connection to the printer interface. This means the customer can choose the material, dimensions, alignment, and other parameters for their final product directly from the storefront. Consequently, it eliminates the need for input from employees of large format printing companies. This enables you to complete tasks seamlessly and deliver the products on time while minimizing human intervention.

Access to design studios

The large format printer software has in-built editing tools and design studios where customer can preview and edit their designs before confirming their order. It prevents the customer from placing incorrect orders and contacting the shop owners repeatedly to correct their mistakes. In other words, preview functions save time and curtails losses to print business due to wrong print production.

Real-time data

The integration of large format print software with the existing enterprise systems facilitates the real-time exchange of information. Starting from customer request processing to order fulfillment, the entire process can be monitored from a single platform. Furthermore, the instantaneous exchange of information allows for easier invoicing and inventory management.

How To Choose the Right Large Format Printing Software?

Now, different wide format printing software solutions will have varying degrees of functionality. But, then, how do you choose the one that best suits your business? Well, for that here are a few pointers to help you choose one.

Software features

The large format printer software should prioritize optimization of existing resources, maximizing efficiency, and increasing profitability, above everytging else. While features vary, most wide format printing software offers-

• Automating the queueing function without pausing ongoing production
• Optimizing load balancing to prevent overloading of a single printer
• Archiving feature to save print designs for easier retrieval and reprints in the future
• Print management interface where incoming orders are automatically analyzed and prepared for printing.

Workflow optimization

Advanced printing software streamlines processes by introducing customer previews, pre-flight checks, and other benefits associated with automating your print business. In the long run, it eliminates print idle time, reduces waste, and minimizes manual intervention.

Here is a detailed breakdown of all the essential techniques used to optimize workflow-

– Pre-flighting

Pre-flighting tools help you analyze the documents uploaded by the customer and make necessary corrections before sending them for printing. This step in the workflow ensures that you print only once, reducing reruns and waste.

– Ganging

Large format printers benefit from the ganging flow. In ganging, the software lays out multiple print projects to ensure no space goes to waste. As a result, print shop owners can get in fewer smaller print projects while producing large prints. The grouping of multiple projects reduces overall costs and saves precious materials.

– Nesting

In nesting, the blank spaces on the printing substrate are covered with unusual shapes, like tickets, cards, labels, and stickers.

– Tiling

While large format printers are highly capable of generating oversized print projects, they are shorthanded when it comes to creating multi-storeyed murals. In such cases, the tiling feature of the wide format printer software comes in handy.

The software overlays a grid on the original with each tile being the size of a large paper. Then, the individual tiles are printed and assembled like a jigsaw puzzle to complete the image.

Monitor graphics workflow

Regularly printing on canvases, wallpaper, and fabrics requires monitoring of color consistency and careful cutting of the material. Some large format printing systems offer the niche feature of color management to monitor these aspects. For print shop owners looking for consistent final products, getting these options becomes essential.

Business goals

Lastly, you need to list down your business needs and the goals you want to achieve through the integration of large print management software. It will allow you to search for software that aligns with your objectives while maintaining a high ROI. It also prevents you from opting for over-bloated software with redundant features.

OnPrintShop Large Format Printing Solution

OnPrintShop is a large format print solution provider. Its W2P interface is highly customizable and comes with a wide format printing module. The module offers end-to-end printing process optimization and improves the capabilities of the price calculator.

Customizable storefront

The storefront customization allows you to design bespoke front ends and showcase the products as per customer demands. The module empowers wide format print shops to provide a variety of products, including banners, signs, stickers, labels, tickets, posters, and stands.

In addition, the procurement module enables the customer to opt for a custom quote without any human intervention. Launching a W2P store becomes drastically easier thanks to the various modules available with OnPrintShop.

Seamless functionality

The state-of-art technology leverages smart algorithms to automate mundane tasks and reduce human inputs. In other words, digitizing your print business enhances your scalability and increases your profitability through the elimination of human tasks. The modules provide you access to countless printing formats for banners and murals.

Custom packaging

API integration with FedEx and UPS systems allows you to access the custom packaging options. This enables you to deliver large prints safely without any damage. The API also offers unique packaging options for different product descriptions. Moreover, the packaging price is also connected to the price estimator ensuring the user receives the final price inclusive of packaging charges.

Design Studio

You can use the HTML5 designer studio to create and preview wide format print products and 3D canvas paintings. The automation feature also accounts for various canvas sizes.

Conclusion

Establishing and maintaining large format printers can be expensive. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize its functionality and workflow to ensure you are extracting every bit of performance from these pieces of machinery while minimizing raw material wastage. Application of large format printing software to your business workflows allows you to achieve true optimization.

OnPrintShop’s Demo can let you know the potential of your large format printer. Try now.

FAQs

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