Printing machines come in a range of sizes and styles to suit different needs, from small, personal printers that can make a quick copy to large industrial machines that do heavy-duty printing. They also vary by how fast they can operate and the quality of the prints they produce. They can also have additional features to improve functionality.
Some larger offset presses, called direct imaging (DI) presses, can form images directly on plates mounted in the press using integrated laser scanning systems. Previously, images were made on plates by selectively removing parts of the plate’s polymer coating with a computer-to-plate machine. The plates were then wrapped around the plate cylinders and mechanically clamped in place.
A flexo printer is a type of printing machinery that uses heat and pressure to transfer ink from a flexible plate to the substrate, which is usually paper. The ink is transferred by a hard chromed cylinder with an anilox roller for water based ink feeding and a mechanical brake. These cylinders can be adjusted to the size of the substrate being printed and are capable of printing on corrugated materials as well.
If you’re looking for a large-format printer for home use, look for one that has high resolution capabilities so it can print sharp, clear documents. A low cost-per-print and multiple connectivity options are other important features to consider. Large-format printers can be noisy, so you’ll need to set it up in a quiet area away from any children or pets.