28 Sep,2023
Have you ever looked at architectural blueprints or construction plans and wondered how these materials were actually printed?
Architects, engineers and construction industry workers all require a specialised printer that can offer them high print quality and the precision necessary to depict intricate building plans. A conventional printer can't handle such jobs and contracting such work out to a printing service can also run up high costs for custom printing jobs. Investing in an in-house solution offers AEC industry workers a more cost-effective way to get the high-quality printed plans they need, plus a range of other benefits.
Like any business decision, there's a lot to take into account when looking for a wide format printer for architects, engineers and construction industry workers. Let's take a closer look at this printer type, its advantages and what you should keep in mind when trying to find the best large format printer for the AEC industry.
When you think of a conventional printer, you're likely thinking of an A4 printer. A4 refers to the standard paper size used for most documents. Of course, blueprints and architectural plans require a much larger media size, as well as specialised printing tools that can handle complex drawings and imaging.
While a wide format printer can make prints in various sizes, typical job sizes are A1 and A0, which are roughly equivalent to the size of one or two pages of broadsheet newspaper.
A wide format printer is essential for architects, engineers and people working in the construction industry because it can create precise lines, high quality images and durable prints that can survive being furled and unfurled, transported between construction sites and marked up with notes.
Modern wide format printers can also handle a variety of materials (cut sheet media and rolls, among others), which adds to their utility.
Technical wide format printers use Inkjet technology that prints the image using drops of ink. Some inkjet printers use dye-based ink and others use pigment-based ink. Epson technical printers utilise pigment-based inks, which may be preferred for their most robust and vibrant colours. They also use very small droplets of ink for precise lines.
SureColor T7760D large scale development
Finding the best wide format printer for architects, engineers or construction industry workers depends on the cases it’ll be used for. That way, you can focus on the printer features that are most important to high quality printed blueprints and plans.
At a high level, a wide format printer outputs ultra-fine lines and solid fills with high brightness and colour density. Epson has a line of such printers, which use inexpensive, moisture and abrasion resistant ink that dries almost instantly — meaning the ink won’t run if it gets wet on a job site. Furthermore, on selected models, ink usage can be carefully monitored and budgeted in advance, which is particularly useful for high-volume applications and projects that are more cost-intensive.
Beyond that, wide format printers are valuable for AEC workers in many other ways, primarily by offering:
Blueprints and schematics are incredibly technical documents. Oftentimes, AEC workers use computer-aided design (CAD) programs to build their designs. That deep level of intricacy on the computer screen needs to be reproduced on paper, and not just any conventional printer will do. Even a hint of unclarity in the printing process can negatively impact a construction project.
The larger the print size and the more complex the job, the more money it's going to cost to outsource it to a printing service. For AEC firms that produce a high number of blueprints, plans, maps or even posters, the costs of outsourced printing can quickly add up. And that's not even taking into account the costs of a bad printing job, outcome businesses can’t entirely avoid when contracting out their printing needs.
With an in-house solution, organisations can substantially reduce their spending on printing. The best wide format printers for architects, engineers and construction industry workers will also offer other cost advantages. For example, Epson technical printers feature heat-free technology — meaning they're always ready and don't need time to heat up for the job. Along with low power consumption this helps businesses save money on energy costs.
When you contract out a printing job to a third-party service, you are more or less at the mercy of their workload and schedule. Sometimes, architects and engineers may need rapid turnaround on a job, but that's either not possible or will cost more money to expedite. Modern wide format printers can get those rush jobs done efficiently and cost-effectively without sacrificing any print quality.
The Epson SureColor T5465 prints an A1 sheet in as few as 22 seconds! That printing speed is an incredible advantage to users who don't want to wait around or pay extra. AEC workers can leverage this speed and efficiency to quickly produce mock-ups and other preliminary materials without needing to spend an inordinate amount.
Some printing services may have restrictions on the type of media they can print, or charge more for certain materials. Epson's range of wide format printers gives architects, engineers and construction industry workers the ability to print on different materials as they need: in other words, a specialised paper type unique to each application.
This versatility gives users a wealth of options for finding the printer that best fits their needs. Additionally, AEC firms can use these printers for more than blueprints and schematics. They can even take their own marketing printing in-house and produce posters and business graphics on a much more cost-effective basis.
SureColor T5465 front with print sample
While there are several good reasons to take your wide format printing in house, there are still a range of factors to consider when looking for the best large format printer.
Here are some of the most important criteria for judging and comparing your options:
At the top of the list are performance-related points like print quality, speed and consistency. AEC industry workers also have unique needs for wide format printers in that the equipment must be able to handle transparencies, which are critical to printing plans. Any wide format printer suited for architects, engineers or construction must have this capability. The Epson SureColor Technical series is designed to support high resolution print with dense and consistent colours that are ideal for maps, plans, drawings, schematics, geological survey diagrams, sales presentations, posters and displays.
Many businesses in the market for a large format printer are usually fixated on the price tag, but that's not the only cost consideration. Users must also consider the cost of materials (including printheads) and maintenance when planning out their investment.
It's here that Epson large format printers really differentiate themselves from the competition.
Epson technical printers come with permanent printheads that are covered by CoverPlus on-site service packs (metro areas). Unlike other printers in the market that require expensive printheads to be replaced potentially multiple times over the life of the printer, you’ll save money in the long run with an Epson printer and can also enjoy consistent printing.
As we mentioned, Epson technical series printers can fit on top of a desk or comfortably in the office, installed on the wall or in a corner. Regardless of which option you choose, be sure to plan for the space that it will take up, as you will need to ensure there is enough room for the proper loading and receiving of materials.
Most importantly, Epson technical large format printers offer AEC users major cost savings compared to what they would spend with an outsourced printing service. Efficient power consumption and large ink cartridges help keep operating costs low.
The best large format printer for architects, engineers and construction is one that offers users wide functionality beyond high print quality and printing speed. For example, Epson printers connect to Wi-Fi and integrate with cloud applications, ensuring smooth job workflows from the creation of a CAD file to printing the blueprints. Simple and intuitive controls streamline the process, giving users a solution for seamless production of high-quality prints in little time and with much-reduced costs.
You should also consider these elements beyond performance. Other features to look for in a large format printer may include:
· Large Format Scanner support (MFP) for digitisation and copying
· Support for large cartridges to reduce print costs and labour
· Direct USB connection for memory devices
· Interoperability with mobile devices and network storage
· Remote monitoring and management
· Ergonomic design with low power consumption
· Multi-roll support to enable different print sizes and print runs
· Postscript and HDD/SSD support for improved quality and efficiency
· NFC support for usage tracking and job costing
Large format printers for AEC are just one part of the larger technology infrastructure for many organisations. Having connectivity is a major advantage, but it also underscores the importance of secure printing solutions. Epson understands this and can help protect your assets by offering the latest support for managing printers as part of a connected network of devices.
If you're looking for the best large format printer for architects, engineers or construction, look no further than the Epson SureColor Technical series. The line boasts a diverse range of printers, including desktop and standing large format printers, ensuring that there is at least one solution available for your firm's needs.
Interested in acquiring a technical wide format printer for your organisation? Contact us today for more information on specs or to talk with a representative about your particular needs and wants, and how an Epson printer might help.
