4 Things to Consider Before Investing in a Flatbed Printer.
Wide-format printing offers a lot of opportunities for print companies and is the perfect tool to expand their business into new markets. From large wall mounts and films for vehicles to outdoor signages, there are seemingly endless possibilities when you have a large format flatbed printer.
While it is a worthwhile investment, equipment of that size costs almost as much as a luxury car. Before you jump into buying one, here are a few questions you need to consider when purchasing an industrial flatbed printer.
1. How Much Does a Flatbed Printer Cost?
Large-format flatbed printers come with a hefty price tag, making it more important to understand exactly what you’re getting for your investment. In this case, higher costs don’t necessarily mean a better version as printer prices fluctuate regularly. You need to do a bit of research on the best quality of printers and special deals for the model you like.
A typical 4’ x 8’ flatbed UV printer costs anywhere from $70,000 to upwards of $120,000, depending on the model and brand. It’s best to do a lot of research on the best manufacturer that could serve your goals for your printing business.
2. What Do You Need to Print On?
One of the most important considerations is the type of materials that you would be printing using such a piece of equipment. You need to consider your production goals here. What products do you intend on printing? It could be any of the following:
Fome-cor
Sintra
Acrylic
Dibond
Backlit Signage
Point-of-Purchase Displays
Promotional Products
Whatever type of substrate you choose to use will dictate the type of flatbed that you need to get. Choosing the right equipment type will give you the highest quality end product and the best value for your investment.
3. What Market Will You Be Serving?
Aside from the print materials and media to be used, you also need to take into consideration if you’ll be targeting the outdoor or the indoor market for your printed products. Any printer for the outdoor market can also print for the indoor market. However, you can’t use an indoor printer to produce media for outdoor purposes. For example, if you want to print vehicle wraps, you will need an outdoor printer.
Although most printers are capable of printing on a variety of media, you can always opt to use a limited amount of media variations and target a niche market to sell to. To make things easier, make a list of everything you would like to print on and its application, which will serve as a guide when finding the right printer to suit your needs.
4. Will You Lease or Buy?
Considering your financial situation, you need to determine if you’ll be leasing or buying since industrial flatbed printers are quite a huge investment. Of course, purchasing a printer outright using cash is still the least expensive option, but you need to have a lot of cash on hand to do it. Leasing and financing through a bank is also an option, but you should consider the interest since it will directly affect the pricing of the materials you produce.
Conclusion
Investing in a large-format flatbed printer is easily justifiable because of its versatility and the wide range of products it can produce. Consider these questions as a guide to help you find the best possible deal and make the most out of your investment.
Axzyra is a provider of specialist inkjet machinery to clients in Cambridge, UK and beyond. We carry state-of-the-art printing equipment designed to last long and give you the best value for your money. If you’re looking for top-of-the-line flatbed printers for your business, Axzyra is the one to call. Contact us today to order our products.