Opportunities in Wide-Format Digital Printing Revealed at Educational Event (Includes Video); Free White Paper on How to Get Started Now Available
OAK BROOK, IL—Printers looking to break away from the commodity trap should consider digital signage, banners, wide-format graphics and point-of-purchase/point-of-sale (POP/POS) output as a way to expand their sales and profit margins.
That was the key takeaway from Printing Impressions’ “Opportunities in Wide-Format Digital Printing” regional colloquium held here at Gibson’s Steakhouse on June 18. Focused on the trends, opportunities and key reasons to invest in wide-format solutions, the luncheon and networking event was sponsored by Fujifilm North America, Graphic Systems Div.; Inca Digital; and ColorGATE, and was attended by Chicago-area commercial printers interested in advancing their understanding of the opportunities that wide-format printing offers.
It led off with a keynote speaker presentation by Dan Marx, vice president, markets & technologies, at the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA). Marx provided a unique insight based on SGIA’s new industry study data, which covered the market forces driving wide-format graphics demand; critical business applications and new business opportunities; purchasing behaviors existing users are experiencing with wide-format buyers; and much more.
According to the report, top markets served include retail stores, corporate branding, educational institutions, nonprofits/associations/organizations and food services. And primary wide-format end product areas include POS/POP, banners, vehicle graphics, pole signs and window displays.
An expert user panel was also moderated by Mark Michelson, editor-in-chief of Printing Impressions. Panelists included Tom Fitzgerald, VP, sales support operations, Yunker Industries, Lake Geneva, WI; Erik Landrowski, COO at NGS Printing, Elgin, IL; Brett Levitt, co-owner of Oakley Signs & Graphics in Des Plaines, IL; and Todd Meissner, president, Color Ink Inc., in Sussex, WI.
The panel shared their real-world, wide-format printing challenges and successes with the audience and fielded many probing questions during the Q&A and networking portions. Topics covered ranged from how to get started in wide-format—to typical production bottlenecks, color management, substrate options and finishing requirements—to sales compensation and marketing plans, and more.
The event was a tremendous success in advancing the conversation around the highly profitable area of wide-format printing. Click on the video above or click here to watch the video highlighting the event.
As a follow-up, SGIA is offering a free white paper, “Going Wide: 4 Steps to New Imaging Opportunities,” that can be downloaded by going to www.sgia.org/resource/white-paper/sgias-new-wide-format-series. Download this valuable, free tutorial now on how to get started in wide-format printing.
