Photography and large-format printing are popular advertising mediums due to their ability to produce large, clear images with excellent display quality. These features have won the favor of many advertisers. But what's the difference between photography and large-format printing? Today, let's delve into this topic.

What's the difference between photography and large format printing?

Varying canvas sizes

Photography is typically used indoors, with the output usually being a few square meters in size. For instance, the small advertising images used by manufacturers at exhibitions are often 1.5 meters wide.

The canvas prints produced by our company are large in size, typically reaching 3.2 meters in width, which is significantly wider than photo prints.

2. Material Variations:

The output medium for large format printers is typically low-grade materials such as signboard fabric, vehicle stickers, and other surfaces made of PVC material. The output of photo printers

Materials include high-grade surfaces such as photo paper and back-coated PP.

3. Different Inks

Due to the varying placement environments of signage products, the inks used in large format printers and photo printers differ.

The ink for the large format printer is solvent-based, utilizing oil-based inks that are water-resistant. The previous inks had a strong,刺激性 odor, but now, domestically produced high-end products with low or even odorless formulations are available.

The photo printer uses water-based ink. Odorless, not waterproof, not UV-resistant, and prone to fading.

4. Different Principles:

The large format printer utilizes bubble jet technology, making it challenging to control the direction and size of the ink droplets, which often results in blurred edges on printed lines.

The unevenness somewhat affects the print quality.

Photography Printer, utilizing piezoelectric inkjet technology, requires no heating during inkjetting. Instead, it takes advantage of the property that crystals release electricity when compressed.

Water does not undergo chemical changes when heated, thus greatly reducing the requirements for ink. Piezoelectric inkjet printing offers high precision.

5. Price Variations:

High-precision and clear fabric photography, premium materials, with relatively higher prices.

Low-precision printed canvas, suitable for distant viewing, lower-grade material, and relatively lower price.

6. Varying Applications:

Photographic printers are primarily used for the production of indoor graphics such as decals, display boards, promotional posters, banners, and signage.

Advertising with actual products on signage boards is very convenient.

Printed banners and vehicle stickers are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, primarily used for outdoor signboards, light boxes, billboards, and large-scale outdoor wall advertisements.

On outdoor large billboard advertisements, vehicle wraps, and more.

Wide-format printers typically have a width of around 3.2 meters, suitable for large-scale advertising prints such as street banners and promotional ads.

Strong flavor, particle sensation, ideal for distant viewing.