Opportunities in Wide-Format Printing

When it comes to wide-format printing equipment, signs and banners might be the most obvious application, but in reality the opportunities that can be produced with these presses is near limitless. Here is a look at four potential verticals that could prove to be lucrative for anyone looking to expand their wide-format business.

1 Packaging.

“A big opportunity that exists for wide-format printing today is short run box/folding carton work,” notes Sydnie Shepland, the digital and print marketing lead for Durst (Booth N1043). “The pandemic drove the digitization of packaging to grow at a very fast rate, and as consumers continue to react to packaging, brands have access to build relationships with those consumers. As a PSP, one could take advantage of that by attracting new clients, as well as expanding how they serve existing clients.”

Short-run packaging is proving to be lucrative, especially for those with wide-format equipment that can run corrugated boards and folding cartons. Brands are looking for new ways to capture consumer attention, so regionalized, special editions, and other short-run packaging ideas are becoming more appealing. 

2 Cannabis.

“I think the cannabis industry represents the single biggest opportunity out there for wide-format printing,” notes Jay Roberts, Roland DGA’s (Booth C8930) product manager - UV Printers. “Print providers are printing to baggies, pipettes and pipes, trays, coasters, tins, and so much more. The industry is growing rapidly, and as additional states legalize marijuana use, we can expect this industry — and the various opportunities it offers for sign and graphics professionals — to expand even further.”

As more states legalize the use of marijuana for both medical and recreational purposes, the market for products is exploding. It isn’t often a new industry emerges, meaning the opportunities are just out there for the taking.

3 Promo Products

“The customers we’ve seen grow their business by orders of magnitude in short periods all have one thing in common: They don’t just sell printed output,” says Bob Honn, director, Marketing Support, Canon USA (Booth N1009). “They manufacture products, including commemorative plaques, home décor, wall coverings, promotional items, and more. By moving their business to a product-oriented model and developing the requisite web store tools and market proposition, they have turned their business into a ‘factory,’ and filled their wallets in the process.”

Promotional products can run a wide gamut. And while it might require investment in equipment capable of putting ink on some of these dimensional items, it represents a lucrative opportunity for expansion. 

4 POP Signage.

“From what we have seen recently, POP graphics have seen steady growth and will continue to be a large opportunity for wide-format printing,” notes Gregory Pas, the marketing director, North America at FUJIFILM North America Corp., Graphic Systems Division (Booth N825). “These printed elements really enhance a space and can add a colorful and sometimes interactive aspect as well as filling any advertising need. There are endless possibilities for POP graphics by combining different medias as well as different design elements so there is a large growth opportunity here for PSPs.”

And, of course, don’t forget about the signs and banners. Point-of-purchase signage continues to be a huge opportunity, with almost every customer benefiting from it — not just retail.