The Wide-Format Evolution of In-plants

Mike George (standing) and Roy Nance addressed a packed room of in-plant managers.

During PRINTING United in Dallas, In-plant Impressions hosted a trio of in-plant educational forums that each brought more than 50 in-plant managers together. The first, “Innovative Wide-Format Applications,” took place during lunch and featured panelists Michael George, director of Central Services at Villanova University, and Roy Nance, associate director of the University of North Texas Printing and Distribution Solutions. Editor Bob Neubauer moderated the discussion and led off with findings from the "Equipment Investment Trends in the In-Plant Industry" research study, conducted by In-plant Impressions and sponsored by SGIA.

The room was packed with in-plant managers.

According to the report, 78% of in-plant printers have integrated wide-format printing into their production, and it continues to grow in popularity. Whether it’s soft signage, window graphics, or wall graphics, in-plants are finding a growing demand from their customers for wide-format applications. Neubauer showed a series of innovative jobs produced by in-plants around the country: parking garage columns that were wrapped in Sacramento; window graphics at a Mayo Clinic office in Jacksonville, Fla.; braille signage produced by Iowa State University's in-plant; elementary school signs printed on clear acrylic in Colorado Springs.

He then turned the forum over to George, who showcased photos of recent wide-format work at Villanova University, including window graphics. The campus recently underwent several upgrades, which warranted new wall and window graphics. A recent event required six golf carts to be transformed into cabs, which required the car wrapping technology of wide-format printing. According to George, Central Services at Villanova University’s wide-format technology allows his staff to have fun.

UNT's Roy Nance shows off graphics produced by his in-plant.

Nance explained that his HP 360 and Mimaki flatbed printer have been fundamental in the University of North Texas Printing and Distribution Solutions’ integration of wide-format printing. He also showcased photos of recent work, including various perforated vinyl graphics and wall graphics. Nance explained that the key to selling wide-format is to bring examples of work and services offered to an organization.

As the need for wide-format graphics in the in-plant industry continues to grow, investing in wide-format equipment is the only way for in-plants to meet the changing needs of the organizations and markets they serve.

Full house for our wide-format in-plant luncheon at @PrintingUnited. Mike George of @Villanova and Roy Nance of UNT are presenting. pic.twitter.com/qM9RqO0nzP

— In-plant Impressions (@IP_Impressions) October 23, 2019