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Large format printing is an indispensable tool for architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) professionals. But what is large format printing, and what is large format printing most useful for? It provides the precision and quality necessary for creating detailed blueprints, architectural renderings, and construction site plans essential in these industries. Learning best practices for using large format printers and tips about the types of large format printers can help AEC professionals improve productivity and produce superior results.

This guide will walk you through the essentials of large format printing, from understanding the process to knowing how to select the right equipment for your AEC projects.

What Is Large Format Printing?

Large format printing (also called wide format printing) is the process of producing printed materials larger than standard paper sizes. Modern large format printers allow AEC professionals to print vital blueprints and construction plans on a large scale while maintaining high resolution and clarity. These printers can handle paper rolls or sheets with widths ranging from 18 inches to several feet. They also offer high-resolution printing that produces large format graphics with superior colour accuracy, sharpness, and durability.

Common Applications in AEC

What is large format printing used for in AEC? AEC prints demand high levels of detail and precision to illustrate the technical details of a structure or project. Industry professionals use large format printers to communicate ideas and illustrate work plans. Some of the most common applications for large format printing in the AEC industry include the following:

• Blueprints and technical drawings: Large format printers are capable of producing large-scale prints with exceptional resolution and precision, ensuring that professionals can effectively communicate critical details in blueprints, large-scale drawings, and schematics. Detailed prints can include elevations, sections, and renderings for an accurate visualisation of the project.
• Renderings and visual presentations: 2D and 3D renderings of a proposed architectural design are often used to illustrate a real-life illustration of how a building will look and be used before construction begins. Large format printing produces the accuracy and details necessary to clearly share vital details and accurately calculate measurements and construction costs.
• Site Plans and architectural models: AEC professionals use large-scale maps, CAD drawings, and 3D models to communicate design intent and guide project construction. Large format printing enables the detail necessary to communicate with shareholders and field workers for various applications.

Advantages Over Standard Printing

Large format printing offers numerous advantages over standard printing. Primarily, it helps professionals produce a wide range of materials for various communication purposes. Since large format printers are designed with efficiency and quality in mind, AEC professionals can use them to improve processes and create superior prints that better meet their needs.

What is large format printing better at than standard printing? Top reasons AEC professionals choose large format printing include:

• Improved productivity: The ability to handle larger paper sizes and even paper rolls helps professionals quickly and efficiently print multiple prints to meet production requirements.
• Superior colour accuracy and precision: Blueprints and constructions depend on precise lines and distinct hues to represent massive structures, outdoor spaces, and even communities.
• Improved print durability: With the ability to print on various substrates, large format printers produce prints that are more durable and resistant to fading. This makes them ideal for continuous handling and outdoor use required by construction professionals.
• Enhanced detail: Large format printers are designed to produce high resolutions, vibrant colours, and precise lines that accurately reflect intricate designs created with highly technical AEC software. The large surface of these prints can capture the complex relation of electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and other systems presented in schematics.

The Large Format Printing Process

Producing superior prints that meet AEC specifications requires an in-depth understanding of the printing process. From preparing files to calibrating the printer, the input throughout the process guides the final results.

Step 1: Preparing Your Design Files

Choosing the right format to ensure compatibility with AEC software, like AutoCAD, is essential for developing high-quality large format prints. The most commonly recommended formats for printing with technical software include:

• DWG/DWF: Native AutoCAD format to ensure the highest quality output
• PLT/HPGL (HP graphics language): Plotter-specific format ideal for vector-based CAD drawings
• PDF: Best choice when your AutoCAD plots have been converted to PDF and the originals aren't available

Optimise for large-scale output by choosing draft for speed or high quality for professional-grade prints.

Step 2: Printer Setup and Calibration

Your monitor screen isn't necessarily an accurate representation of what a large format print will look like. The best resolution for precisely detailed images depends on the viewing distance and size of your prints. Set the desired paper size and print settings to guide your resolution settings. Smaller prints should aim for 300 pixels per inch (PPI), but larger blueprints can be printed at 150 PPI because of their greater viewing distance.

Select the appropriate colour profile (typically CMYK) to accurately represent how colours will appear on paper, and routinely calibrate your monitor to ensure consistent colours each time you work on a file.

Step 3: Executing the Print Job

Once the printer settings are selected, it's essential to choose the corresponding media and ensure it's properly aligned before printing. Monitor the printing process through the printer's control interface to promptly address any issues that arise.

Step 4: Post-Print Quality Checks

Once the printing process is complete, assess the print for clarity and accuracy. If the results aren't as intended, then you'll need to investigate to determine the cause. Adjust settings to address the concern before repeating the print.

Types of Large Format Printers

Finding the large format printer most likely to meet your needs requires an assessment of which ink type is best for your applications. The two main types of inks in large format printing are dye-based and pigment-based. Dye-based inks have colourants that dissolve in liquid and produce bright, vibrant colours. Pigmented inks have colourants suspended in liquid for better longevity and resistance to fading.

HP offers professional-grade large format printers with both options. The pigment-based HP DesignJet T850 is known as the world's easiest A3-A1 printing experience, capable of printing 90 A1 prints per hour. Aqueous dye-based DesignJet T250 and T650 feature fast print speeds and user-friendly job submittal tools to improve productivity.

Mastering Large Format Printing for AEC Projects

Large format printing is the ideal way to improve productivity and print quality in AEC operations where precision and detail are critical. Achieving the best results requires insight into how large format printers work to create superior prints and how to find the right large format printer to meet your needs. HP is a leader in producing high-quality technical printers and plotters ideal for the AEC industry. Contact us to discuss your large format printing needs.