Platon Digital Graphics was established in 1952 as a family owned commercial photo studio and lab serving companies such as McDonald’s, Zenith TV, and Procter and Gamble. In 1989 Charles Platon assumed leadership of the firm and worked with many prominent architectural firms and real estate developers. In 1997 Platon entered digital printing as a 3M certified printer creating and installing barricades for Abercrombie and Fitch and Guess? and many other top-line retail brands.
In 1999 the company abandoned all wet photo processes for environmental reasons. Their commitment to using eco friendly print materials means cost savings for their customers, and the elimination of harmful Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from the printing process.
By 2002 Platon Graphics was a leader in large and grand format printing with a growing client base such as Pacific Sunwear and Westfield Malls. The company has practiced continuous improvement and consistently evolved by adopting cutting-edge printing technology and media to assist clients. These clients include large international companies, smaller nationwide companies, and local family-owned small and mid-sized businesses.
Located near the heart of Los Angeles, Platon Graphics currently offers a variety of service capabilities to meet client needs and applications. These include: digital output, die cutting, lamination, nationwide installation, fulfillment, design and project management. The end result produces cost-effective, attention-grabbing graphic solutions using a variety of materials for a wide-variety of commercial applications.
Platon Digital Graphics Large Format Printers Los Angeles, CA
Large Format Printers
Large-format printers are by and large accepted to be any printer with a print width between 16" and 100". Printers in excess of 100" mark may be named Super-Wide or Grand format. Large format printers are employed to print streamers, placards and general poster and in some cases may be more cost-effective than short-run process such as screen printing. Large format printers usually use a roll of print material rather than single sheets and may include hot-air dryers to avoid prints from sticking to themselves as they are created.
Tools for making Large-Format Printers:
• Aqueous: thermal or Piezo inkjet printers employ an ink identified as aqueous or water-based. The expression water base is a usually acknowledged misnomer. The pigment is assumed in a non-reactive mover solution that is from time to time water and other times an alternative liquid, including soy sourced liquid. Aqueous ink commonly comes in 2 essences, Dye and Ultra Violet. Dye ink is extreme color, low Ultra Violet resistant variety that offers the widest color gamut. Ultra Violet ink is normally duller in color but hold up fading from Ultra Violet rays. In general principle to desktop inkjet printers. Completed prints using dye inks must be plastic-coated to safeguard them if they are to be used in the open air while prints using Ultra Violet inks can be employed outdoors un-laminated for a restricted time. A variety of materials are available, including posters, streamers, metabolized plastic and cloth. Aqueous technology needs that all materials be well coated to take and retain the ink.
• Solvent: this phrase is used to express any ink that is not water-based. Piezo inkjet printers whose inks employ oil or a petroleum by-product such as acetone as its carrier liquid. Eco-solvent inks more often than not contain glycol esters or glycol ether esters and are time-consuming drying. The time-consuming prints are waterproof. May be used to print straightforward on uncoated vinyl and other medium as well as uneven substrates such as Foam Board and PVC.
• Dye sublimation: inks are diffused into the unusual print media to create continuous-tone prints of photographic feature.
• Ultra Violet: Piezo inkjet printers whose inks are Ultra Violet -curable (Dry when cured with Ultra Violet light). The ensuing prints are waterproof, pressed & dazzling. Any medium material can be used in this technology, polymer made medium are the finest. Ceramics, glass, metals, and woods are also employed with printing with this tool.
• Pen/plotter: a pen or pens are utilized to illustrate on the print substrate. Chiefly used for producing Computer-aided design drawings. Generally being outmoded by digital technologies such as Solvent, Aqueous, and Ultra Violet.
The utmost difference concerning digital printing and traditional methods is that there is no need to swap printing plates in digital printing, while in analog printing the plates are frequently change. This end result in quicker turnaround time and reduce expense when using digital printing, other than typically a loss of some excellent picture detail by most commercial digital printing procedure. The most accepted methods comprise inkjet or laser printers that leave pigment or toner onto a large variety of substrates as well as metal, photo paper, canvas, glass, limestone, paper, and other materials.
Large Format Printer Solutions for All Your Business Needs
Wide format printers are a great way to print banners and other larger printed materials for your business. Whether you want to produce posters, large advertisements or simply print current material on a larger level, these type of printers are the way to go and a great investment.
Many businesses regularly use wide format printers, whether they print these wide items as their business, or simply to market their business. If you use these types of printers, there are many wide format printer supplies you might need to keep your printer running properly. Here's what you need to know about wide format printer ink and where to buy it:
What is wide format printer ink? In short, this type of ink is formulated and packaged specifically for the needs of large format printers.
Businesses that use these types of printers will often use them to print banners, posters, artwork, decals, and more. What type of large format printer ink you will need will ultimately depend on what you are going to be using the printed items for? Some types of ink are better for indoor use, while some types of ink are better for outdoor use. Color vibrancy, durability, and appropriate printing materials will all need to be taken into consideration in order to make sure you buy the right kind of ink.
Aqueous inks are dye or pigment ink that has been dissolved in water. These types of inks are usually less toxic than other types of ink, but they are not waterproof, making them not a very good option for printed materials that are going to be outside. They can smudge even after they have been dried, if they encounter water. They are also prone to fading when exposed to light.
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Solvent inks, which come in both normal and eco-friendly varieties, use solvents to bond the pigment in the ink to the surface of the material. These are much better for outdoor use, but they are also more dangerous to use. When it comes to wide format printer supplies, solvent inks are usually a great choice, if you know how to use them.
The other types of ink that are used in this type of printers include UV-curable ink, which has to be cured by a UV light before it will solidify and dry, and latex ink, which uses water to delivery latex and pigment to the printing materials.
Selecting your printing supplies is easier when you know what the inks specifically do and what they are best used for.
Large Format Printers: Great for Various Projects
Large format printers typically allow for images to be printed between 17 inches and 60 inches wide. These printers are utilized in the creation of banners, posters, exhibition prints and any signage that is on a larger scale. Large format printers also go by the name of wide format printers and printers that exceed 100 inches in print width are occasionally referred to as grand format or super-wide printers.
These large printers can accommodate different textures and types of paper making them very useful for different types of projects. For instance vinyl and satin-finished papers can be used with these machines which are great for maintaining a good quality, professional finish. Instead of individual sheets of paper like a standard printer, large format printers use large rolls of paper which are more economical when putting bigger projects together and highly compatible with the printer.
These kinds of printers aren't commonly designed for use at home or in the office. Of course, professionals who may utilize the printer for their business from home may acquire one, but the generic computer owner will not have any need for such a large printer. Rather, large format printers tend to be tools of specialist printers and businesses. Commercial printers are probably the biggest users of large format printers. These print specialists are experts in creating large format signage, prints and other posters or graphics that any business may need for marketing or advertising purposes. Vehicle graphics may also be produced with specialist inks and paper in place, to provide waterproofing and a gloss finish.
Businesses also require exhibition and display stands on a regular basis and by visiting any print specialist; they can have stands and exhibition material produced on a larger scale without losing any quality to the images or text and information. Large format printers are also popular with students and those who may be interested in digital photography. Quality is essential within the realms of a profession like photography.
Large format printers coupled with large file sizes, still maintain exceptional quality throughout the imagery producing successful prints time and time again. This is perfect for both exhibitions and businesses. The colors are also fade resistant since the inks that are used tend to be of a superior quality. This print process is established straight from the computer with the help of advanced software. Inkjet, solvent and light jet printers are utilized for the printing. The digital print specialists will almost always accept your files by email or on CDs but it is wise to remember to keep the original file size for the best outcome for the images themselves.
Large Format Printer Reviews: Helping You Acquire The Perfect Printer
Large format printer reviews will help any individual interested to finding the best for their personal or business use. They are also called wide-format printers and can produce up to 100" wide prints. They are basically used for making banners, posters or signage for business or personal use. Read on further for some models that you might want to check out.
1. A famous manufacturer that many individuals are aware of is Xerox and you'll love their Xerox 8290. This model can produce prints with a minimum of 24" and a maximum of 90". Self-adhesive vinyl, banner vinyl and satin outdoor paper are the medium that you use when printing in this model. The printing speed of the Xerox8290 is 170-215 sq. ft/hr. The prints that you make with this is perfect indoors or outdoors. Quality of the print is very clear. It is eco-friendly as well so this is not only affordable but also healthy.
2. Epson Stylus Pro 3800 - Most large format printer reviews have this on their list. This is because it is great when it comes to functionality. This has a 17"x22" printing capability. Though this is one of the least expensive of Epson's large format printers, you can still consider this as quite costly. Owning one will cost you at around $1,300, usually less. If this is too much, you can wait out for a sale if you want to purchase this printer model.
3. Bigger printers are expensive, usually at $10,000 like the HP DesignJet 5500uv (60 in). This model has a 60"x300" printing capability. The print output is amazing with high-end details. If you want it cheap, do not expect for a brand new one. Another possible way to purchase this cheap is by posting an ad or searching for used ones near your area. Large format printer reviews will help you in deciding if you want to buy a brand new HP DesignJet 5500uv unit.
The three mentioned above are amongst the best of large format printers there is today. Do not forget that there are still other models that you can check. Read some large format printer reviews so that you will know other models. Just remember if you spot a certain model that you want to have, read reviews about it first. This is to ensure that you are able to get the best out of the value of your money.
Six Ways to Creating Great Graphic Images With Large-Format Printers
Outdoor signage, billboards and banner advertising are among the most common printing jobs used with large format printers. These printing jobs are meant to be seen and attract attention. If they cannot break through the visual clutter that the public is bombarded with every single day, it means that they are not fulfilling their purpose of attracting attention and generating sales.
The key to successful outdoor signage and advertising is effective graphic design. Without effective graphic design, the signage will be visible but not attractive. Therefore, it will not work the way you have intended it to. There are many ways by which you can create effective graphic design for your signage, and here are the six basic ones.
1. Plan ahead. Before you launch any advertising campaign that involves the usage of outdoor signage, banners and billboards, you need to plan the details first. In this way, you will have a clear idea of what kind of outdoor signage that you will need, as well as the size and even the color scheme. One of the best ways to get this done is to make an ocular inspection of the site wherein you will put up the signage and figure out how you can make your signage stand out.
2. Keep the message simple. When you design your outdoor signage, remember to keep the text on your signage short and simple. This is not a graduate thesis where you are called upon to be verbose. Stick to your core message and phrase it in a catchy way.
3. Make your fonts legible. It is extremely important for your outdoor signage to be visible from a distance. Thus, the size of the fonts for your text should be big enough to be seen from the distance that you desire.
4. Use negative space when using graphic images. Negative space, or simply blank space, let the eyes rest when they look at your signage. Thus, do not fall into temptation of cramming as many graphic images as you can in your signage's design.
5. Use contrast to balance your text and graphic images. Contrast between the colors used for your graphics and the colors used for the text will greatly improve the legibility of your signage. When it comes to using contrast, however, try to avoid shadows on your text because it will achieve the opposite effect.
6. Check your design. Before you order your printouts with your print service provider, print a sample first to see if you have got the design right. See if the colors work as they should, the graphics are placed where they are supposed to be and the fonts are just the right size. Print a single sheet in its actual size with a large-format printer for best results.
Legibility is extremely important in making the graphic design of your outdoor signage. If your signage is readable, your message will get through your audience more effectively.
Large Format Printing: Its Different Uses and Who Uses Them
For those who are already used to having large format printers to produce trade show graphics or other large size posters, can you imagine the difficulty people went through before the printers were invented? New technology has made our lives easier compared to the earlier days. These inventions have given professionals and people in various industries to produce large images without much effort. Now, many industries have adopted this technology for different applications. Here are a few examples of people and their purpose for using large file printed materials.
Architects in most architectural firms make use of large format printers for their billboard-sized building and architectural plans. These plans and designs of buildings are generated by computer and passed on for large file printing. Most of the time, the plans printed are for buildings that will be constructed soon.
Event coordinators and party planners are also using large file printers for their jobs. They can create banners used for highlighting parties and as decorations for the events they organize. The use of large format printers to produce these types of event banners is known to be produced faster than the typical commercial printing process.
Educators and students also use the services of large format printers. They can use these for print visual aids, educational materials, and even for trade show graphics. Usually, education conferences and other events make use of these large posters and banners. Moreover, there are also museums that also use large format printers to produce informational aids, maps, and other exhibit objects.
One of the industries that widely use wide printed materials is from the promotional and advertising industry. Back in the days, people had to paint huge banners for their promotional events. Today, they no longer have to pick up a paintbrush to create their banners and signage. They can easily create images with precise details and colors and put them anywhere. This is a great advancement for people using this for promotional purposes since it allows them to post their banners along highways, building walls, indoors, and outdoors. This will help them promote their product better.
Photographers and graphic artists also make use of wide format printers in printing their portfolio. Artists and photographers are the main individuals needed to create the design of the large format banners. They can create captivating and stimulating images to be printed in large formats. Their works of art come out as the star with these large banners to gain the attention of its viewers and interest of possible customers.
Other industries also use large file printing to promote open houses, seasonal sales, shopping malls, real estate agencies, and retail stores. Wide format printers may very well be one of the best inventions in the field of printing technology. The use of these kinds of printers has been the standard for producing large banners, signage, and billboards. In case you will need this type of service for a special purpose, make sure to hire a company that can give you high quality services for the best graphics in town.
Design Tips for Large Format Printing
Large format printing is something that is required by most people who needs to advertise themselves on banners or in tradeshows. It is therefore important to ensure that everything is done perfectly and in the shortest time. However, it is not easy to find a designer who can do this job perfectly in a short time and one requires a few tips in order to ensure that their job is well done and it satisfies their customers.
The first thing that you need to do as a designer in order to do a great job is to use the available vector resources as much as you can. This is mainly because the vector images usually scale up and down in a perfect way and they also have a file size which is relatively smaller and it ensures that the slowdown of your computer is reduced so that they job can be done much faster. It also takes a short time to spool to the printer when it is being printed.
Ensure that you are working at a smaller scale using the same vector program. It is advisable to work at half to a quarter scales and have the printer be the one to scale it up so that you do not encounter problems when in the middle of the design. The other thing that you can do is to ensure that you calculate the resolution that is required especially if there is a need of using raster images in the designs that you are making. The resolution should be based on the full size of the design and linking externally to them rather than embedding them. It is important to let the printer know by programming it.
Large format printing are usually designed in a way that requires them to viewed from a distance and this means that one needs to use large text sizes that are easily readable. Ensure that you plan ahead about the colors that you are going to use since most of the large format printers are ink jets. As a designer, you should take a look at the design that you have made from a distance to see how it looks like. You should also print a small scale sample first to see how it comes out before doing it large.
Large Format Printing Services
In the online printing industry, large format printing services are in great demand owing to the fact that high quality printing is made available at affordable prices. Large format printing is one of the most effective means of marketing your products and services through meaningful images and messages.
You can display large format posters and banners anywhere you wish to display them, indoor and outdoor. Large format printing is an excellent option for obtaining large photographic-quality images, courtroom graphics, tradeshow banners and graphics, outdoor banner display, presentations, research posters for medical and scientific presentations, in-store point-of-purchase displays, retail store displays, business or personal artwork display, event signs, promotional signage and more. You can use these prints as wallpapers to decorate your living as well as working spaces.
There are many commercial printing companies in the United Kingdom extending the best of services to a wide range of clients. Large format printing can be done on a variety of substrates including photographic paper, plastic, film, vinyl, translucent materials and cloth. Combining the skill of talented artists and state-of-the-art large format printers, the service providers print excellent quality images in vivid colors, sizes, shapes and styles that you require. Usually top quality, fade-resistant inks are used to print long lasting and stunning high definition images for durable outdoor posters.
With large format posters and banners, you can create a big impact for your business, large or small. When you choose large format printing services, it would be ideal to go for one that allows you the option of customization. Some of the best and established large format printing companies accept photos, paintings and artwork from customers, to make the large format prints.
It is of great importance that the company you choose guarantees optimum levels of quality standards in performance and innovation, throughout the printing services.
Understanding The Field Of Large Format Printing
Many Large Format Printing Los Angeles firms catering your several needs are located in prominent locations in the vicinity and in other towns and cities in the U.S.A. Large format prints are essential for a wide selection of industrial job needs. Some of these might also include printing bulk quantity of documents that are so far impossible from the common printer having a limited output.
Large Format Printing runs on the printer that prints on large paper, which can vary from 2 to greater than 15 ft. wide. This kind of printers normally uses inkjet technology to print on a selection of output, like high quality glossy-coated paper for signs and posters. The price range of these devices is as broad as the paper, from as little as $ 1000 to higher than a half million dollars. They can indeed be little costly when compared with printing on your laser printer but thinking about the magnitude and goal they're worth the money. The speed of printing can vary with the content material on the advertisement and also the font that you are using.
The field of large format printing technologies continues to experience swift shift, not simply in the impact of digital print technologies that are eager to be prominent, however in end-user applications and expected results. at the same time. Wide format end result goes over many applications, including technical documents just like line drawings and engineering schematics; photo quality giclee prints; POP signs; huge advertisements; and fleet graphics. Therefore, wide format covers basic print-for-pay environments like quick printers and repro shops, in addition to new adopters in the prepress, photographic, and corporate markets. The wide format digital print market is big and fragmented, with a lot of options as well as challenges. Knowing this new world of visual communications takes focus and competency.
If you are looking for the best printer with quality, a color printer with a wide variety printing tool is all you'll want to end all your printing outsourcing problems. If you check feedback on large format laser printer vs inkjet printer you will get to know that a large format color laser printer is suggested for those individuals who want to buy a trusted kind of printer for their business. You have to check for the printing speed, printing quality, printing cost per page, etc. - basic things that we commonly consider for a small-scale printer. As you will likely be printing information on a larger scale when compared with a home office, you also have to look for the warranty period, client opinions, printer repair and support provided by the manufacturer for installation and repair off your large format printer.
Large Format Printing Los Angeles can be found immediately should there be large volumes of tailored printing job to be finished in a short period of time, there is absolutely no exception to one of the very trusted and tested printing firms located in Los Angeles and other cities of the country. Besides, large format print firms possess a consistently huge labor force for carrying on all their many consumer requirements at situations of great expert requirement.
Common Uses of Wide Format Printers
Modern technology is providing business with new opportunities each day. This is true especially for printing solutions and printing tools. One example of this is the use of wide-format printers. Originally, the only viable solution for wide-print documents was to bring in your media to a professional printing service. However, as the prices have become more reasonable for these printers, more and more businesses are considering if purchasing a wide-format printer is the way to go.
While most of these printers are a bit pricey, so is constantly bringing your media to professional printing service every time you need a larger-size document, plat, blueprint, banner, poster, or event sign.
Common wide-format media uses
While almost every type of business will at some point need large media for promotional or hiring purposes, some businesses will need these services more often.
Land surveyors, engineers, construction companies, and architects are a few examples of business that will need wide-format documents for plats, blueprints, and site plans. These businesses are a great example of the use of having a wide-format printer at your disposal. Being able to print these documents at your office will not only save the cost of paying an outside service to print these items, but will also save in the cost of mileage and, most importantly, time.
For companies specializing in promotional items, point of sale signage, and other such products, wide-format printers are a necessity. The same can be said about most advertising services that provide signage.
Some companies participate in a large number of home shows, or trade events. For a company who will reuse the same signage at each event, it is probably smartest to hire a printing service to provide you with your signage.
However, if your company needs to have new signs, posters, or banners at each event, then purchasing a wide-format printer will most likely be more cost-effective.
Using wide-format media is also a great idea for business presentations. For a business that shows many presentations, purchasing a wide-format printer will save a lot of money in the long run. Large, colorful displays can add an element to your presentations that may have been missing before. Being able to print anything you want right at your office is also a tremendous advantage.
While most businesses do not require the use of a wide-format printer, there are actually a large number which can, and do benefit from having their own printer in the office.
Contact Details:
Platon Graphics
1145 N Stanford Ave,
Los Angeles, CA 90059
Phone: (310) 227-8027
Website: https://platongraphics.com/
Google Site: https://sites.google.com/view/platon-graphics/
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