HP Large Format FAQs

These FAQs will help you find the top-rated HP products with the lowest prices.These are common questions our customers ask about HP deals, prices, ratings, and more.

What is wide format photo printing?

This option separates them from smaller photo printers, often limited to 8 x 10 inches or smaller. Wide-format printers use multiple black cartridges to deliver a photo quality that beats any basic photo printer and also offer a wider variety of ink colors.

What are wide format printers used for?

Wide-format printers are used to print banners, posters, trade show graphics, wallpaper, murals, backlit film (duratrans), vehicle image wraps, electronic circuit schematics, architectural drawings, construction plans, backdrops for theatrical and media sets, and any other large format artwork or signage.

How much does a large format printer cost?

Anything above the regular A4 print could be considered a large format printer, so the price range is big. Some of the large printers recommended in this article start at $400 if they are not for fine-art photography or $1,000 if they are. However, if you need bigger printers, the prices can range from $10,000 up to $60,000.

How do large format printers work?

Just like domestic printers, large format printers are inkjet. The paper is fed mechanically through rotating rolls, then the ink from the cartridges is sent to the print heads, which release it through the injectors – these travel horizontally, printing one strip at a time.

What are two types of sources for making inks for a color printer?

• Coloring agent based inks -  are a cheaper option if you can afford to compromise with the quality. 

• Pigment based inks  - much better if you are looking for better quality photographs that will last longer.

What are the benefits of large format printing? 

You can print on almost anything that will fit through the carrier of the printer including:

• - Vinyl

• - Cloth

• - Glass

• - Wood

• - Foam Board

• - Corrugated Plastic

• - Metal

What products are ideal for large format printing process? 

The most versatile things about large format printing is the fact that it can be the ideal printing process for many products. Some of the most common products that large format printing is used for are:

• - Banners

• - Point of Purchase Displays

• - Wall and Floor Graphics

• - Tradeshow Signage

• - Posters

• - Yard Signs

What to Keep in Mind When Buying a Photo Printer?

1) Resolution

2) Ink Quality 

3) Size of The Printer

4) Compatibility

5) Speed

6) # of prints