Large Format Digital Printing for Exhibition Stands

By: Matthew Theobald

This article attempts to give the buyer of large format digital print an overview of the technologies involved and their suitability for different applications

History

Before the advent of large format digital printers exhibition graphics were produced using a combination of computer-cut vinyl lettering, traditional large-format photographic prints and specialist �Kentint� photographic prints with or without overmounted photos. Complec graphics with a number of colours were complicated and expensive to produce.

The first large format inkjet printers were available in the 1980s with Canon claiming to have invented the first inkjet �bubble jet� technology.

Digital colour production printing has advanced considerably since the appearance� at IPEX in 1993, of the first Indigo and Xeikon digital presses.

Digital Printing in monochrome can be tracked back to a few years earlier when Xerox introduced their first Docutech.

Today digital printing is developing quickly with better speed at higher resolution. A study in the US by Tradewatch Research Consultancy predicts that in 5 years that the number of comercial printers with digital presses will increase by 234%

So What is Digital Printing?

The technical definition of digital printing simply refers to the transfer of electronic computer files directly to the paper (no need to create plates)

But digital print is not only based on its technology, digital is the result of a market need for data on-demand, fast turnarounds, variable data and short print runs which cannot be easily achieved using conventional offset printing or screen printing.

Digital Processes

There are several different types of digital print solutions and these will be explained in more detail in following articles, but all have some common traits.

The basic characteristic of digital printing is that is cuts out a number of steps involved in the non digital process. This gives the possibility of producing much smaller batches of printed matter quickly and cost efficiently.

How Does Inkjet Work?

Of the variety of inkjet technoloies developed, the one that has been most widely adopted is 'drop on demand' or DOD. Minute drops of ink are forced through the equally minute holes in the printhead, as they are required, to form the image on the paper or substrate.

There are two main printhead technologies for creating the small inkdrops required for inkjet printing; Aqueous/thermal and Piezo. If you are buying medias for use in the digital print process it is important to take into account the following 2 factors; print head type and ink type as different products are recommended for each. The two main ink types are Water-based inks and solvent-based inks and within the solvent groups there is a further distinction between mild solvents (also known as eco solvents) and full (or aggressive) solvents.

Part Two will delve more deeply into the different print head technologies
and their associated inks. Guide to Digital Printing for Exhibition Stands and Digital Displays pt1

Article Source: http://articles-book.com

Matthew Theobald has been working in the exhibition and display industry for over 20 years. Having been involved in the design and build of exhibition stands throughout Europe and having specialised for a number of years in large-format digital print he has a wealth of experience in this arena. www.exdisplay.co.uk

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