Large Format Printing Explained: What to Order and When

What Is Large Format Printing?

Large format printing refers to any print job that exceeds the width of a standard desktop or office printer. Most large format printers work from rolls of material up to 60 inches or more in width, which makes them suitable for producing banners, posters, signs, vehicle graphics and exhibition displays at sizes that simply aren’t possible on a regular machine.

The term can cause confusion because it isn’t tied to one specific product. A printed A1 poster, a 6-metre outdoor banner and a set of window graphics can all fall under large format printing — what they share is the production method and the scale of output.

At Printscene, large format printing is a core part of what we do. We handle everything from custom banner printing and poster printing to signs for outside and vehicle graphics, all produced in our Somercotes workshop in Alfreton.

Common Large Format Print Products

Understanding the products that fall under large format printing can help you identify what you actually need and avoid paying for more than the job requires.

Banners and roller banners

Printed banners are one of the most widely used large format products. PVC banners are popular for outdoor use — shopfronts, fencing, scaffolding and event perimeters. Roller banners (also called pull-up banners) are a portable option, commonly used at exhibitions, trade shows and in reception areas. They print at large scale but roll up into a compact carry case.

Posters and large prints

Poster printing covers everything from A2 and A1 in-store displays through to very large single-sheet prints for walls, windows or events. Printed on paper, foam board or PVC depending on whether you need them indoors or out, large format posters are a simple and cost-effective way to fill a space with on-brand messaging.

Outdoor signs and sign boards

Signs printed at large format for outdoor display — whether on rigid materials like dibond, aluminium or acrylic, or printed onto vinyl and applied to a surface — fall into this category. These range from small A-board inserts through to large fascia signs on the front of a building.

Window and vehicle graphics

Printed vinyl for windows and vehicle wraps also uses large format equipment. Window graphics can cover partial or full window panes, while vehicle graphics range from small logo decals through to full vehicle wraps. Both are produced on specialist vinyl materials and applied by hand once printed.

Exhibition and event displays

Pop-up display systems, fabric tension frames and large printed backdrops for events and exhibitions are all large format products. These are typically printed on fabric or PVC and designed to dismantle and pack away between uses.

When to Use Large Format Printing

Large format printing makes sense when you need to communicate something at a scale that gets noticed. Here are the most common reasons businesses order large format work.

File Setup and Resolution for Large Format Printing

One of the most common questions around large format printing relates to file quality. It’s easy to assume that because a file looks fine on screen, it will print clearly at a large size — but that’s not always the case.

Resolution at 100% vs reduced scale

For standard print work, 300 DPI at the intended final size is the target. For very large format jobs — a 3-metre banner, for instance — 72 to 150 DPI at full size is typically acceptable because the print is viewed from a distance. The critical factor is that your file is set up at the correct final dimensions, not scaled up from a small document.

Sending a small JPG and asking for it to be stretched to 2 metres wide will result in a blurry print. If your original file is small, your printer should be able to advise on whether it will hold up at the required size.

Bleed and safe area

Large format prints that are trimmed to size — banners, posters, dibond signs — need bleed built in around the edges. Typically 5mm of bleed on each side is sufficient, though your printer may request more for certain jobs. Keep all important content (text, logos) within the safe area, which sits inside the trim edge.

Preferred file formats

PDF is the most reliable format for sending large format files. Set your PDF to press quality or high resolution on export. Vector-based artwork (created in Illustrator or similar) will scale without loss of quality, which is ideal for logos and text elements within a large print.

Choosing the Right Material

Large format printing covers a wide range of materials, and the right choice depends on where your product will be used and for how long.

PVC and vinyl

PVC is used for most outdoor banners. It’s weather-resistant, relatively lightweight and produced with hems and eyelets for fixing to fencing, scaffolding or frames. Self-adhesive vinyl is used for window graphics and vehicle wraps. Cast vinyl is more conformable and durable for vehicle applications; calendered vinyl suits flat surfaces like windows and walls.

Paper-based large format

Indoor posters are usually printed on coated paper stock in gloss or satin finish. For display purposes, foam board provides a rigid backing and allows the print to stand or be mounted without framing. Paper-based large format is not suitable for outdoor use unless protected with a suitable laminate.

Rigid outdoor materials

Dibond (aluminium composite), foamex (rigid foam PVC), acrylic and correx (corrugated plastic) are common rigid materials for outdoor signs. Each has different weight, durability and application characteristics. Dibond and aluminium are the most durable for permanent outdoor use; correx is a cost-effective option for short-term signage.

How to Order Large Format Print

The process is straightforward once you know what you need. Here are the key steps to getting a large format print job right first time.

Know your final size: Confirm the exact dimensions before supplying artwork. For banners, consider where they’ll be fixed and how much space you have. For signs, measure the space first.

Set up your artwork correctly: Work at the correct final size in your design software. Set bleed and make sure all important content sits within the safe area.

Choose your material: Will it be used indoors or outdoors? Is it permanent or temporary? These two questions narrow down your material options considerably.

Confirm fixing or finishing: Banners need eyelets or hemming. Rigid signs may need pre-drilled holes. Vehicle graphics need to be professionally applied. Factor in any installation requirements before you order.

Get a proof: For large or complex jobs, ask for a printed or digital proof before the full run. For a single-piece item like a vehicle wrap or large exterior sign, this is especially worth doing.

If you’re based in or around Alfreton, Somercotes or the wider Derbyshire area, you can bring your project into our workshop directly. We can advise on the right product for your situation before you commit to anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between large format and standard printing?

Standard printing covers documents, leaflets, business cards and similar items up to around SRA3 or A3+. Large format printing covers anything bigger — banners, posters at A1 and above, signs and vehicle graphics. The equipment, materials and finishing processes are different.

Can I print a large format image from a small file?

It depends on the original file quality and the viewing distance. A small JPG stretched to 3 metres will usually look blurry. Vector-based artwork scales without loss, so logos and illustrated elements are fine. If in doubt, share your file first and ask for an assessment before ordering.

How long does large format printing take?

Turnaround varies by product and order size. Simple banners and posters can often be turned around quickly once artwork is confirmed. Complex jobs like vehicle wraps or large exterior sign installations take longer. Contact us with your deadline and we’ll confirm what’s achievable.

Is large format printing suitable for outdoor use?

Many large format products are specifically designed for outdoor use — PVC banners, printed outdoor signs on rigid materials and UV-resistant vinyl graphics are all weather-resistant. Not all large format materials are outdoor-rated, so check before ordering if the product will be exposed to the elements.

Do you offer design help for large format projects?

Design help is available on site. If you have a rough idea but no finished artwork, get in touch and we can discuss what’s involved. Design support can make the difference between a print job that looks professional and one that doesn’t quite land as expected.