Colorado’s Guide to Choosing a Wide Format Printer | 2025


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How to Choose the Right Wide Format Printer for Your Colorado Business in 2025

When you run a business in Colorado, staying visible isn’t just about marketing—it’s about making an impression that lasts. From storefront signage and vehicle wraps to custom labels and promotional displays, wide format printing plays a powerful role in how your brand is seen and remembered. But with so many options out there, how do you choose the right wide format printer for your specific needs?

If you’re in real estate, event planning, auto customization, or even craft brewing, your printing needs are unique. And choosing the right printer isn’t just about specs—it’s about understanding what fits your day-to-day operations, growth goals, and industry trends. In this guide, you’ll find a breakdown of wide format options, comparisons between major brands (like Roland, Canon, HP, and Epson), and how to make the best decision with the help of a local partner like ABT.

Let’s find the right fit for your Colorado-based business.


Why Wide Format Printing Is Thriving in Colorado

You might’ve noticed a boom in large-scale visuals lately—from vibrant banners in downtown Denver to wrapped trucks in Colorado Springs, to wall graphics in Fort Collins breweries. That’s no accident.

Colorado’s economy is powered by small and mid-sized businesses in industries that rely heavily on visual branding. Think about the signage needs for a craft beer festival in Boulder or the branding a realtor uses during an open house in Castle Rock. Wide format printing gives you the power to produce high-impact materials in-house, saving time and cutting outsourcing costs.

You’re no longer limited by third-party turnaround times. With the right wide format printer, you’re in control—printing what you need, when you need it.


What Exactly Is Wide Format Printing?

If you’re still a little unsure, here’s the quick version: wide format printers (sometimes called large-format printers) are built to handle materials that are too large for standard office printers—think banners, posters, decals, floor graphics, and even vehicle wraps. These machines often support media widths from 24″ to over 64″, with ink technologies that allow for stunning durability and color vibrancy.

There’s a wide range of features out there, and choosing the right one starts with knowing how you’ll use it.


Popular Wide Format Brands – And How They Stack Up

Not all wide format printers are created equal. You’ve probably seen names like Roland, HP, Canon, and Epson when researching online. So, how do they compare—and more importantly, which is the right fit for your business?

Let’s take a quick look:

  • Roland DGA: Known for versatility and reliability, Roland printers are a go-to for sign shops, auto wrap professionals, and anyone who needs durability and contour cutting. They’re especially popular in Colorado’s car wrap and apparel printing scenes.

 

  • Canon imagePROGRAF: Best known for stunning color accuracy and detail. Great for art reproduction, posters, and indoor signage.

 

  • HP Latex Series: Environmentally friendly and fast-drying, with flexible inks ideal for outdoor use. A top pick for retail displays and banners.

 

  • Epson SureColor: Excellent photo quality and great for short-run label printing or high-resolution signage.

 

But choosing a brand is only the beginning. You’ve got to match the machine’s capabilities to the work you actually do.

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What’s the Right Wide Format Printer for Your Industry?

Let’s break it down by business type so you can see which printer features match your specific use case.


🏠 Real Estate & Property Management

What You’re Printing: Yard signs, open house banners, window decals, directional signage

Recommended Features:

  • Fast-drying, weather-resistant ink

 

  • Roll-fed media compatibility for large banners

 

  • Easy material loading for frequent signage changes

 

Suggested Model:
Roland TrueVIS SG3 Series or HP Latex 315 – both offer excellent outdoor durability and quick turnarounds for your busy schedule.


🍺 Breweries, Distilleries & Food Packaging

What You’re Printing: Custom labels, tap handles, wall graphics, merch signage

Recommended Features:

  • High-resolution printing for detailed labels

 

  • Ability to handle multiple media types (paper, vinyl, fabric)

 

  • Optional white ink or gloss layers for unique finishes

 

Suggested Model:
Epson SureColor S80600 or Roland VersaUV LEC2 Series – ideal for labels, small signage, and specialty substrates.


🚘 Auto Wrap Shops & Customization Businesses

What You’re Printing: Full and partial vehicle wraps, decals, reflective graphics

Recommended Features:

  • Eco-solvent or UV ink for flexibility and stretch

 

  • Precision contour cutting

 

  • High ink adhesion for complex surfaces

 

Suggested Model:
Roland VG3-540 – this workhorse is built for wraps and comes with advanced cutting options and color accuracy.


🎉 Event Planners & Marketing Teams

What You’re Printing: Backdrops, step-and-repeats, POP displays, foam board signs

Recommended Features:

  • Large format support (up to 64″)

 

  • Quick turnaround capabilities

 

  • Vibrant color profiles for brand consistency

 

Suggested Model:
Canon imagePROGRAF PRO Series or HP DesignJet Z9 – both offer gallery-level print quality and color consistency that will wow clients.


The Roland Edge: Why ABT Recommends Roland for Colorado Businesses

If you’re serious about growing your visual output while keeping things reliable, Roland DGA should be on your radar. These machines are designed for creative professionals and production environments, especially in Colorado where durability is key.

Here’s why Roland stands out:

  • Eco-Solvent & UV Technology: Inks that dry fast, last long, and can handle Colorado’s dry summers and chilly winters. You can order these directly from ABT.

 

  • Integrated Print/Cut Functionality: Save time by printing and contour cutting in one pass.

 

  • Minimal Downtime: Roland machines are known for reliability, and with ABT’s local service and support, you’ll never be on your own.

 

  • Affordable Entry Points: Options for businesses just starting out and seasoned pros alike.

 


Local Support Makes the Difference

Buying the right printer is one thing. Keeping it running—and optimized—is where the real value is.

When you partner with ABT, you’re not just buying a machine. You’re gaining a local partner who understands the Colorado business landscape and can provide:

  • On-site delivery and installation

 

  • Workflow consultation to streamline production

 

  • Preventive maintenance and emergency service

 

  • Lease and financing options that support cash flow

 

  • Training for your team to maximize the ROI

 

With offices serving Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and beyond, we’re never far away.


🔍 Questions to Ask Before Choosing Your Wide Format Printer

Before you make the leap, here are a few important things to ask yourself:

  1. What types of materials will I be printing on (vinyl, canvas, paper, labels)?

  2. How much space do I have in my shop or office?

  3. Do I need integrated cutting or just printing?

  4. What’s my expected monthly print volume?

  5. How fast do I need jobs completed?

  6. Will I be managing color consistency for branding purposes?

Take time to answer these clearly—your ideal printer depends on it.


Final Thoughts: Your Printer Is a Business Partner

Choosing a wide format printer isn’t just a tech decision—it’s a growth decision. The right device becomes a core part of how you communicate your brand, serve your clients, and expand your offering.

Whether you’re launching a new service, replacing an old model, or just exploring your options, ABT is here to help you choose smarter. We’ve helped Colorado businesses of all sizes add wide format printing to their workflows—and we can do the same for you.


➡️ Ready to Explore the Right Fit?

Schedule a free workflow consultation with one of ABT’s wide format specialists. We’ll walk you through your options, answer your questions, and help you test out print samples from Roland and other leading brands. Let’s find a solution that grows with you.

📞 Call us or fill out the form here.

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