When it comes to professionals, few have a more demanding set of requirements for printing than architects. Printing is vital in architecture because these documents guide critical processes in construction and engineering. A lot of thought must go into choosing the best wide format printer for an architecture firm. However, the sheer breadth of wide-format printers can make the task overwhelming – even before the stakes are considered.
A wide format printer is a special type of printer that produces documents larger than a standard piece of computer paper. They’re often found in industrial settings, where they are used to create beautiful, crisp, large format documents. Read on to learn why architects have special considerations for their wide format printers, and what to look for when identifying an appropriate device for a firm.
Every company wants a printer that produces stunning, flawlessly printed documents. They help create a professional presentation, impress audiences, and keep print jobs in-house. However, architects need a printer that takes print capabilities to the next level entirely. These professionals rely on their printers to create blueprints, schematics, and other technical documents that play critical roles in engineering processes. They need to look for a device that offers:
Architects need a genuinely flawless level of professionalism in all their printed documents. Since they produce materials that guide the construction of projects, the level of professionalism of these documents maybe a reflection of their competence. Additionally, engineering has no room for guesswork or uncertainties. Illegible text or smudged lines can lead to construction errors with severe consequences.
Architects need a more extensive range of colors and print modes for their renderings and blueprints than most businesses. In addition to needing to produce quality images quickly, they also need to make sure these documents hold up in the less-than-ideal conditions that are the construction environment. That means finishing options to ensure that inks don’t fade, plus the ability to print on a variety of substrates.
Why settle for a wide format printer rather than a production printer or a high-end office MFP – or even another type of printer designed for architecture altogether? Wide-format printers are the first choice of architectural firms for several reasons:
Printers have only really been commonplace in architectural firms for the past two or three decades. Before that, plotters were the status quo. These hyper-accurate machines used vector imaging to create crystalline reproductions of blueprints – perfectly. Today, the wide format printer uses laser technology to achieve that level of accuracy. In addition, wide format printers are Wi-Fi-connected and fully able to integrate into a modern office.
The architect’s office has a demanding print environment, and there’s no time to be spared waiting around for a document to finish printing. Modern wide format printers are fast and efficient at what they do. That’s the only way to stay on top of all the work.
One common concern that many people have when investing in a printer is whether they “need” a wide format printer. Although they’re specialized devices, many models are at home in the office environment, printing off regular copy paper-sized documents as well. That lends them a whole new level of versatility compared to production printers or other specific devices.
Many businesses can scrape by outsourcing their wide format print jobs to a professional printer that has the tools and machinery to do it – not architects! Continually having to run out to print documents is frustrating, time-consuming, and expensive. Likewise, when blueprints or schematics are involved, outsourcing these jobs constitutes a security risk. A wide format printer helps keep everything in-house and on-demand.
A one-time purchase is cost-effective. Additionally, there are tax incentives for US-based businesses that invest in machinery necessary for their job. Purchasing a wide format printer, therefore, may be expensive upfront, but it will produce savings in the long run.
Choosing the best wide format printer for architecture can be daunting, but with Edwards Business Systems, it’s not. Specialists with over 65 years of experience, Edwards Business Systems can help any company, firm, or startup identify their specific needs and curate an array of recommendations that might fit the best. Architects rely on their printers – make sure the right one is in the office.
EBS is thrilled to help architects in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, find the right wide format printer. Contact us now to get started.