Insider Insight: Entering the Market

We asked seven of Big Picture's Editorial Advisory Board members to respond to the current state of the wide-format industry and reveal what we should expect in 2018.

Big Picture: Would you suggest multiple entry-level printers or one large, “super-fast” machine to start?

Kirk Green, President/CEO, Ferrari Color: Purchase the best, most reliable equipment you can afford.

Robert Kissel, President, KDM P.O.P Solutions: We’d suggest multiple presses.

Craig Miller, President/CEO, Pictographics: We have gone both ways on this dilemma with successful outcomes. I am of the opinion there is not a right or wrong answer. This decision must be made on a case-by-case basis. We just chose “super-fast” and expensive because those were the only options.

Carmen Rad, Founderpreneur, CR&A Custom: Entry-level presses, and utilize trade printers until you build a book of business and can justify the investment.

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Jared Smith, CEO, bluemedia: Entry-level printers are the way to go. Watching costs during startup is key. I have seen too many shops go too big, too fast, and their shiny new equipment ends up in an auction.

Mark Taylor, COO/Senior VP, GFX International: This is a case-by-case decision. Entry-level printers sometimes have much higher costs related to consumables and labor and can’t always meet the need for a growing business. Super-fast printers also have their drawbacks when considering the capital cost requirements, especially if your volume comes from short-run production.

Get more insider insight on wide-format surprises in 2017, industry trend analysis, streamlining print production, social media for PSPs, what's next for large format, and goals for 2018.