The Top 7 Devices For Retail In-House Printing
Retail sales is a hyper competitive market, visual appeal is paramount. Effective signage, promotional materials, and displays can significantly impact customer attraction and sales. Finding the best printers to support your business can be tricky and outsourcing your printing can be expensive.
Wide format printers allow retail stores to produce these materials in-house, offering flexibility and cost savings over outsourcing. In this blog will investigate the top seven wide format printers ideal for retail stores, their use cases, specifications, MSRP, and the benefits of managed print services.
Why Bringing Printing In-House is Cost-Effective
Outsourcing printing can be expensive, especially when frequent updates and new promotions are needed. By bringing printing in-house, retail stores can:
- Reduce Costs: Avoid high per-print costs and markups from external print shops.
- Increase Flexibility: Print on demand to minimize waste and ensure up-to-date materials.
- Improve Turnaround Time: Quickly produce prints without waiting for external services.
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Top 7 Wide Format Printers for Retail Stores
1. HP DesignJet Z9+ Large Format PostScript Photo Printer Series
Why: The HP DesignJet Z9+ stands out for its exceptional print quality and color accuracy, making it perfect for high-impact visuals needed in retail settings.
Use Cases:
- High-quality posters
- Detailed retail displays
- High-resolution images
Specifications:
- Print width: Up to 44 inches
- Resolution: Up to 2400 x 1200 dpi
- Ink types: Pigment-based (9 colors)
- Print speed: 1,132 sq ft/hr (draft mode)
MSRP: $4,995
Toner and Costs:
- HP 746 DesignJet Ink Cartridges
- Approx. cost: $200 each
- SKUs: P2V81A (Photo Black), P2V82A (Cyan), etc.
2. Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-2000
Why: The Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-2000 is renowned for its rich color depth and compact design, ideal for retail stores that need professional-quality prints without taking up much space.
Use Cases:
- Professional-quality posters
- Signage
- Promotional materials
Specifications:
- Print width: 24 inches
- Resolution: Up to 2400 x 1200 dpi
- Ink types: Lucia Pro pigment ink (12 colors)
- Print speed: Up to 1.32 minutes per page (A1)
MSRP: $2,995
Toner and Costs:
- Canon PFI-1700 Ink Tanks
- Approx. cost: $300 each
- SKUs: 0781C001 (Photo Black), 0782C001 (Cyan), etc.
3. Epson SureColor P8000
Why: The Epson SureColor P8000 offers high-resolution prints with excellent color consistency, making it perfect for retail graphics and art reproductions.
Use Cases:
- High-resolution posters
- Retail graphics
- Art reproductions
Specifications:
- Print width: 44 inches
- Resolution: Up to 2880 x 1440 dpi
- Ink types: UltraChrome HD (9 colors)
- Print speed: Varies by media and quality
MSRP: $4,995
Toner and Costs:
- Epson T804 Ink Cartridges
- Approx. cost: $200 each
- SKUs: T804100 (Photo Black), T804200 (Cyan), etc.
4. Canon imagePROGRAF TM-305
Why: The Canon imagePROGRAF TM-305 is designed for efficient, high-quality printing, making it suitable for producing vibrant in-store banners and posters.
Use Cases:
- In-store banners
- Posters
- Promotional graphics
Specifications:
- Print width: 36 inches
- Resolution: Up to 2400 x 1200 dpi
- Ink types: LUCIA TD pigment ink (5 colors)
- Print speed: 144 D/hr
MSRP: $4,995
Toner and Costs:
- Canon PFI-320 Ink Tanks
- Approx. cost: $150 each
- SKUs: 2884C001 (Black), 2885C001 (Cyan), etc.
5. HP Latex 335 Printer
Why: The HP Latex 335 is versatile and eco-friendly, perfect for retail stores needing durable indoor and outdoor signage.
Use Cases:
- Indoor and outdoor signage
- Textiles
- Wall coverings
Specifications:
- Print width: 64 inches
- Resolution: Up to 1200 x 1200 dpi
- Ink types: Latex (6 colors)
- Print speed: Up to 334 sq ft/hr
MSRP: $15,495
Toner and Costs:
- HP 871 Latex Inks
- Approx. cost: $250 each
- SKUs: M0E26A (Black), M0E27A (Cyan), etc.
6. Epson SureColor T7270
Why: The Epson SureColor T7270 is known for its speed and precision, ideal for producing architectural drawings and detailed retail graphics.
Use Cases:
- Architectural drawings
- Posters
- Retail graphics
Specifications:
- Print width: 44 inches
- Resolution: Up to 2880 x 1440 dpi
- Ink types: UltraChrome XD (5 colors)
- Print speed: Up to 2 D-size prints per minute
MSRP: $4,995
Toner and Costs:
- Epson T694 Ink Cartridges
- Approx. cost: $150 each
- SKUs: T694100 (Photo Black), T694200 (Cyan), etc.
7. Roland VersaEXPRESS RF-640
Why: The Roland VersaEXPRESS RF-640 offers high-speed printing and vibrant color output, making it perfect for large banners and wraps.
Use Cases:
- Banners
- Posters
- Wraps
Specifications:
- Print width: 64 inches
- Resolution: Up to 1440 x 720 dpi
- Ink types: Eco-solvent (CMYK)
- Print speed: Up to 521 sq ft/hr
MSRP: $14,995
Toner and Costs:
- Roland Eco-Sol MAX 2 Inks
- Approx. cost: $150 each
- SKUs: ESL4-4BK (Black), ESL4-4CY (Cyan), etc.
| Printer Model | Print Width | Resolution | Ink Types | Print Speed | MSRP | Use Cases | Toner Cost per Cartridge | Toner SKUs |
| HP DesignJet Z9+ | 44 inches | 2400 x 1200 dpi | Pigment-based (9) | 1,132 sq ft/hr | $4,995 | Posters, retail displays | $200 | P2V81A (Photo Black), P2V82A (Cyan) |
| Canon PRO-2000 | 24 inches | 2400 x 1200 dpi | Lucia Pro (12) | 1.32 min/page (A1) | $2,995 | Professional posters, signage | $300 | 0781C001 (Photo Black), 0782C001 (Cyan) |
| Epson SureColor P8000 | 44 inches | 2880 x 1440 dpi | UltraChrome HD (9) | Varies by media | $4,995 | High-resolution posters, art | $200 | T804100 (Photo Black), T804200 (Cyan) |
| Canon TM-305 | 36 inches | 2400 x 1200 dpi | LUCIA TD (5) | 144 D/hr | $4,995 | In-store banners, posters | $150 | 2884C001 (Black), 2885C001 (Cyan) |
| HP Latex 335 | 64 inches | 1200 x 1200 dpi | Latex (6) | 334 sq ft/hr | $15,495 | Indoor/outdoor signage, textiles | $250 | M0E26A (Black), M0E27A (Cyan) |
| Epson SureColor T7270 | 44 inches | 2880 x 1440 dpi | UltraChrome XD (5) | 2 D-size prints/min | $4,995 | Architectural drawings, posters | $150 | T694100 (Photo Black), T694200 (Cyan) |
| Roland RF-640 | 64 inches | 1440 x 720 dpi | Eco-solvent (CMYK) | 521 sq ft/hr | $14,995 | Banners, posters, wraps | $150 | ESL4-4BK (Black), ESL4-4CY (Cyan) |
Managed Print Services: Ensuring Long-Term Value
Managed Print Services (MPS) can help retail stores maximize the value of their in-house printing setup by providing:
- Maintenance and Support: Regular maintenance to ensure optimal printer performance.
- Toner Management: Automated toner delivery based on usage to prevent downtime.
- Cost Management: Monitoring and managing print costs to avoid unnecessary expenses.
Choosing the right wide format printer for your retail store depends on your specific needs, including the types of media you plan to use, the volume of printing, and the level of print quality required.
The printers listed above offer a range of options to suit various retail applications, ensuring you can produce eye-catching and professional-quality materials that enhance your store’s visual appeal and marketing efforts.
Additionally, leveraging Managed Print Services can ensure long-term value by maintaining printer performance and managing toner costs effectively.
