Trends in large format printing

Sustainability has stopped being a trend and has become a market requirement. Nowadays, customers demand printing solutions that minimize environmental impact:

Recyclable materials: PVC-free tarps, phthalate-free vinyl, rigid supports made of recycled cardboard and biodegradable materials.

Eco-friendly inks: Water-based inks (latex) and UV LED inks are replacing eco-solvent inks due to their lower emission of VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

Circular economy: Customers ask that materials be recyclable at the end of their useful life. Textile systems are leaders in this aspect: the fabric can be reused or recycled.

Certifications: ISO 14001, FSC, GreenGuard... Environmental certifications are increasingly valued in bidding and purchasing processes.

Sublimated textile (soft signage) is gaining ground over traditional canvas in multiple applications:

Advantages of textile over canvas:

• No unwanted reflections or shine
• Lighter (reduces transportation costs)
• Folds without permanent wrinkles
• Washable and reusable
• Better color reproduction
• Backlit with LEDs
• More sustainable

Growing applications: Event backdrops, stand walls, retail decoration, lightboxes and totems.

At Unical Graphic we have increased our textile production capacity by 200% in the last two years to meet growing demand.

UV LED printing technology allows you to print directly on virtually any surface:

Emerging materials:

• Glass and methacrylate: Direct printing for premium signage and decorative elements
• Natural wood: No need for intermediate vinyl
• Metal and aluminum: Direct printing for plates and industrial signage
• Recycled materials: Cardboard, kraft paper and ecological composite materials

Advantages: Eliminates the need to apply vinyl on the support, reducing production times and costs.

Large format printing is merging with digital technology:

Integrated LED displays: Large format displays combine printed graphics with LED screens for dynamic content. This allows changing messages on a fixed medium.

Custom QR Codes: QR codes integrated into the graphic connect the physical world with the digital one. Access to videos, catalogues, augmented reality and interactive experiences.

Augmented reality: Applications that, when focusing on the printed graphic with the mobile phone, show 3D content, animations or additional information.

NFC (Near Field Communication): NFC tags integrated into the graphic that transmit information when you bring the smartphone closer.

Digital printing allows something that offset printing cannot: customization at a reasonable cost.

Personalization trends:

• Localized campaigns: Customized graphics by city, store or point of sale
• Seasonal versions: Frequent change of graphics to maintain the freshness of the point of sale
• Variable data: Each printed piece may be different (names, images, personalized messages)

Digital printing makes it viable to produce short runs (from 1 unit) without the plate and preparation costs of offset printing. This democratizes access to large format graphics for companies of all sizes.