Wideformat Printer for alternate substances

[forensickid]

Hi guys.
Hope somebody can help.
I am looking at printing canvas prints, prints to mount to acrylic, banners, glossy and matt prints and possibly vehicle wrap vinyl.
What is the best wide format printer for these tasks?
I know that UV for outside is a factor but do I have to print solvent for banner etc?
Can I then print the other media with solvent?
I have been offered a HP designjet 5000 for a great price but not sure if suitable(does it take solvent)
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks
Tony

 

[Correct Color]

Tony,

Right now, hands down, the best machine for all of the above is the Epson GS6000.

Note a few things, however: First is that the Epson will come the closest to doing all that you ask, but it is a solvent printer and will not quite get up to aqueous quality on matte and gloss prints. For everything else on your list, however, it will.

Second is that if you seriously want to produce vehicle wraps, you can't use the HP 5000 or any other aqueous printer.

Also note that if you want to produce vehicle wraps, a printer isn't going to be enough. You'll also have to have a laminator.

Also note that you can print banners and the like on an aqueous machine, but they won't be very durable outside, and the media generally costs about twice as much as solvent media. So not many people do it.

There's a lot to this. And believe me, I've seen a lot of people get into this business and start off making some pretty serious and costly mistakes from just not knowing.

Best money you ever spent might just be on getting some professional guidance before you dive in.


Mike Adams
Correct Color

 

[forensickid]

Thanks Mike, big big help.

I might buy the 5000 for gloss and matt and just run uv ink and get a solvent for the outside banner stuff.
We are buying a laminater too so will look to do the wraps on solvent.

Thanks for your advice, it is a bit of a mine field.

Tony.

 

[OkiTech]

Tony hi, we have Epson 9880 that we can offer instead that HP - it should be better choice.
Let me know if you are interested - UnlimitedBT@yahoo.com