Large format printing or wide format print is popular in the retail or commercial sector. It is used mainly for POS signage, printed banners, posters, retail graphics, even murals on walls. Traditionally the artwork is printed bigger than a standard desktop printer can produce – anything over A3, and, usually, larger than A2 in size. It could be anything from a poster to a building wrap.
Large format or wide format printing services are generally thought to be those with a roll capacity between 18″ and 100″ in width. Printers with capacities over 100″ wide are considered super-wide printers or grand format printers. Large format print has come a long way, and a big way, since the invention of inkjet technology in the 1950s, and the giant leaps made in the field in the 1990s.
Print sizing is generally bespoke to our client. The standard of large format printing has evolved over the years and now consists of graphics of all shapes and sizes, sometimes smaller than A2. This is why we say at The Graphical Tree we produce display graphics, it’s more of a catch-all for the services we offer. Below are a few examples of our work on large format printing in London.
Wall graphics are eye catching and create an impact. The benefits are long-term durability or quick damage-free removal, they can be used for:
Print your design to a self-adhesive material, solid or clear that can be applied to a surface such as a window or a wall. When producing window graphics, our full-colour print process allows us to either block out the entire window or, if the design only covers a portion of the glass, we print using an optically clear film making it see-through. Printing a layer of white ink first gives us the ability to produce solid shapes onto a clear film. Stickers can be printed and then cut to any shape as we do when producing vinyl decals.
Vinyl Decals, which are simply when letters and shapes are cut from pre-coloured adhesive vinyl. It’s much like using sheets of coloured paper, except that it comes on a roll. Each colour is produced as an individual element and pieced together on site. Vinyl decals give the brilliance of flat colour and allow us the option of golds, silvers, metallics, fluorescents and frosted.
Posters are a great visual. Retail brands use them in-store for showcasing products, they're on the underground, pasted up in the street, the hang on walls in homes, companies use them in offices to share information with staff or brand values.
Big commercial printed banners are possible in a single sheet up to 5 x 50m in size. We can also offer custom made print which are super wide graphics in multiple sections, making it easier to handle and install together on site. Wide format, can be supplied in manageable pieces which means there is potentially no limit to the size of the graphic we can produce.
Direct to media printing, or DTM, is when we print directly to the surface of a substrate. Apart from the usual suspects of foamex (PVC board), acrylic, and cardboard, we've printed on a variety of wood including MDF, metal including aluminium, plastic and more. If it fits under the 50mm print heads, in theory, we can print onto it – we welcome all ideas, no matter how unusual sounding. Also, using white ink allows us to print solid colours onto non-white substrates and clear films and boards.
Hoardings are structures that surround or offer a barrier around another structure. They’re often used during refurbishment work circulating buildings or hiding areas within a store that is being upgraded. So hoardings can be both inside or outside and are suited to self-adhesive vinyl or direct-to-media printed di-bond or foamex panels. We can also add all the finishing touches like headers and skirting plus screw caps, which all help to make your hoarding as beautiful and impactful as it should be.
Modular exhibition stands are often an easy and cost-effective way to promote and increase your branding or message on a printed surface. Options range from roll up stands, popup walls, counters and even A-boards, flags poles and portable literature holders. Popular for retailers and promotion at exhibitions.
Floor graphics work especially well for exhibition graphics or gallery signage. It’s possible to apply the floor signage or graphics to any surface you want to cover, including non-slip, easy to install linos for events or galleries. The main benefits are highly adhesive, long-lasting and easy to clean. You can use floor graphics for a wide variety of purposes including: event signage, festivals, or museums. Floor decals can be used to enhance branding, with eye catching design and layout.
At the Graphical Tree we specialise in printing on a variety of base layers, dependent on our clients preference and brief (of substrates). We can also supply Eco and sustainable prints . These materials include, but are not limited to:
For flat display graphics the best materials are:
Large format print is so much more than an A2 print to paper. It’s a varied, exciting brief that can involve a whole plethora of media and mediums.
We can answer any questions about our large or wide format printing. We offer consultation on choice of printed materials or substrates and no obligation quotes. Contact us today by email print@thegraphicaltree.com or give The Graphical Tree a call on 020 7580 4405.
Think big in size, and big in possibility.
Possibly the best way for us to answer this is to direct you to the following resources, all of which offer a great overview of what we offer –
The full list of Services
and the inspiring Case studies page
and while we're here, the visual feast of our Instagram page
For large-format printing, you can email us your files. However, if they are too large, you can use WeTransfer instead. Please include your name and contact details in the message section of the WeTransfer upload so we can match the artwork with your order.
Production size varies on the media used. It's possible to print very large, however, it's impractical to install a graphic which is 5m wide. Our usual self-adhesive vinyl is produced in 1.5m wide sections for example. These are suitable for installation easily. Vinyl decals are made from rolls of coloured vinyl 1.2m wide. Boards vary, but generally come 1.5 x 3m in size.
We recommend speaking to us about your project so we are able to advise on the best production method and therefore the size of the material to best suit.
We have a commitment to eco-friendly printing. Most of our large format print machinery uses latex ink, which is made up of 70% water – meaning that it’s a greener alternative to traditional solvent-based inks. We work with HP, who are one of the world’s leading sustainable and forward-thinking companies, with its large format inkjet technology. Our dedication to sustainability extends across the printing process – from the production of graphics, through to the energy use, waste, and disposal of the prints.
Lead times vary per job. It really depends on the amount of involvement needed – including production time, artwork set-up, site visits etc.
That said smaller jobs can be produced fairly quickly and it's not out of the question to do same-day work if the studio can accommodate your request at the time of asking.
Always speak to us about turnaround times and let us know any important deadlines when speaking to The Graphical Tree about a job.
There's a myriad of media we can use for large-format printing. It all depends on the brief and the outcome required for the job.
For example –
Paper
(matte, satin, gloss)
Boards (paper-based, plastic, card, wood, metal)
Wallpapers (self-adhesive vinyls, pasteable)
Canvas
Floor stickers (interior and exterior)
External
Decal vinyl
Fine art papers
These also include a host of sustainable materials, which can be found here.
Send us a project brief and we can advise on the best material for your job.
It can sometimes be possible to install large format graphics yourself, but we think it’s best to use an expert professional. Installing large or unusually shaped graphics requires specialist experience and that’s why we have a dedicated team that are experts in the installation and de-rigging of large format displays. You can find out more on our installation service page.
Payments can be received by BACS, all major credit or debit cards, or in cash. We require your first job with us to be paid for before release, you can then carry out a credit application – which usually takes about 2 weeks. This will enable you to set up an account with us. Should you hold an account, you are expected to pay within 30 days of the invoice date. Customers who do not hold an account will be required to pay in full before release. For larger jobs, we may request a part payment in advance.
