Commercial printing continues to evolve at a rapid pace, and wide format printing sits at the center of this transformation. With new technology, aggressive shifts in client demand, and a focus on sustainable solutions, print shops have more opportunities than ever to expand services, reduce costs, and deliver higher value. For over 25 years, All Print Heads has helped businesses leverage the best in wide format solutions, ensuring clients get the most from every print job. This post explores seven key wide format printing trends every forward-thinking print shop should have on their radar for 2025.
Wide Format Printing Powers Business Growth
Wide format printing refers to inkjet or digital print devices able to produce oversized graphics, banners, signage, textiles, and display materials. Its impact on retail, trade shows, construction, decor, and branding is hard to overstate. As print shops face demand for higher quality, faster turnaround, and eco-friendly production, tracking the latest trends is essential for staying competitive.
Discover how the latest innovations—from the explosive rise in DTF (direct-to-film) to sustainable ink breakthroughs and automated workflows—can help you maximize efficiency, boost profit margins, and deliver standout print results your clients will love.
Advancements in Printing Technology
Next-Level Performance With the Latest Printers
Keeping pace with cutting-edge equipment is crucial for productivity and profitability. This year, several exciting product launches and upgrades are reshaping what’s possible:
- Mimaki UJV300DTF-75: This machine is a game-changer for DTF applications, especially with its specialty as a direct-to-film UV printer designed for curved or uneven surfaces. Its dedicated film system creates vibrant, durable graphics on everything from bottles to promotional items.
- Flatbed Print Speed Upgrades: Major flatbed printer vendors, such as swissQprint, Agfa, and Mimaki, have introduced new or upgraded models focused on boosting throughput. Increased speed often translates directly to reduced production times, greater output, and the ability to take on bigger or rush orders without bottlenecks.
- Expanded Media Support: Today’s advanced wide format printers handle an increasingly diverse array of substrates, including rigid boards, metal, wood, and fabrics. This versatility allows shops to diversify offerings and capture more high-margin work.
Investing in faster, more versatile machines ensures your print operation stays ahead of both competitors and rising customer expectations.
Cutting and Finishing Technologies Evolve
Versatility With Modern Cutting Tables
Finishing no longer means limiting your scope to basic cuts and trims. Advanced wide-format cutting tables now offer:
- Tangential and Oscillating Cutting for intricate details and thick materials
- Creasing, Routing, and Engraving modules unlock multi-step workflow capabilities
- Automated Feeding and Stacking save labor and reduce manual errors
By integrating finishing directly into your workflow, you gain faster turnarounds, enhanced quality control, less waste, and the freedom to take on creative, complex jobs that set your shop apart.
Rise of DTF Printing for Every Business
Direct-to-film printing has surged in popularity, particularly among smaller print shops and online retailers seeking to add value and offer flexible product options.
- DTF Popularity is driven by the ability to create highly durable transfers without the need for pre-treatment or screen exposures. This is ideal for producing custom tees, bags, hats, and more.
- UV-DTF Printers like the Mimaki UJV300DTF-75 stand out by enabling transfer printing onto curved, rigid, and complex products that many legacy printers can’t handle. Shops can now offer premium customizations for niche markets and corporate branding.
Whether you’re serving local boutiques or large promotional campaigns, adding DTF capabilities means more service options and better profit potential.
Sustainable Ink Innovations
Sustainability remains at the forefront for both clients and print providers. Ink manufacturers now offer new formulas that deliver performance and eco-credentials:
- UV inks present a real breakthrough, combining the durability and vibrancy of UV with reduced VOC emissions, easier waste handling, and compliance with greener printing standards. According to Fujifilm and industry reports, these inks are becoming commercially viable, lowering your shop’s environmental impact and offering a powerful selling point for eco-focused customers.
Making the switch can help you win new business in sectors where sustainability drives purchasing decisions.
Textiles as a Growth Area
Textile printing is experiencing remarkable growth due to the demand for soft signage, personalized decor, and eco-conscious displays.
- Applications Are Expanding across fabric banners, trade show displays, wall coverings, and flags. Today's wide-format printers can deliver stunning graphics with vibrant colors and perfect detail on both natural and synthetic textiles.
- Market Diversification into textiles opens new avenues for revenue, from store merchandising to interior design, with repeat orders and higher margins on custom work.
Optimizing your setup for textile work can set you apart in a crowded market where buyers seek creative, tactile, and environmentally friendly solutions.
Automation and Workflow Solutions Lead Efficiency
Automation isn’t just for the most significant operations. New tools make streamlined production accessible to shops of every size:
- FIERY Digital FactoryDirect to Film Edition - Large Format delivers a new generation of print flows, integrating job onboarding, color management, and tracking in fewer clicks and with less training.
- FIERY Digital Factory Apparel Epson™ Edition is tailored for small workshops, focusing on affordable access to advanced workflow tools. You can deploy automated prepress, accurate job costing, and scheduling with minimal disruption.
- Benefits include reduced hands-on labor, consistent quality, quicker proofs, and real-time adjustments for tight deadlines or high-volume periods.
By investing in workflow automation, you increase profitability and free up your skilled staff for tasks that drive business growth.
The Critical Role of Color Management
No matter how advanced your printing hardware, color management remains pivotal. Clients expect spotless brand consistency and accurate reproductions across every medium.
- Integrated Color Management Systems in modern printers simplify calibration and profiling, even for complex substrates.
- Automated Solutions help reduce operator error and ensure that colors remain vibrant, accurate, and predictable, order after order.
- Competitive Advantage comes from the ability to deliver results that exceed client expectations without costly reprints or manual fixes.
Taking color management seriously means more referrals, better reviews, and stronger customer loyalty.
All Print Heads Updates and Exclusive Promotions
Staying competitive means working with top partners and capitalizing on limited-time opportunities:
- Now Official Graphtec Dealer
All Print Heads is excited to announce our new status as an official Graphtec dealer. To celebrate, enjoy an exclusive 10% discount on all Graphtec CE and FC plotter families this month. Use promo code GRAPH10 at checkout.
- Graphtec CE8000-ASF Launch
Discover the new Graphtec CE8000-ASF, a highly versatile cutting solution designed for a wide range of applications, including POS signage, custom labeling, and more. Learn more here.
Visit our store or call 800.616.0584 for expert advice, support with your order, or to take advantage of these promotions before they expire.
Stay Ahead With the Right Partners and Knowledge
The wide-format print landscape shifts quickly, but the shops that will thrive in 2025 will be those that innovate early. Here’s how you can make the most of the top trends:
- Invest in new printing and finishing technology with efficiency in mind.
- Train your staff to master both hardware and advanced color workflows.
- Add green ink options and textiles to your service lineup.
- Automate wherever possible to save both labor costs and reduce error rates.
- Partner with experienced suppliers, such as All Print Heads, for current promotions, reliable stock, and strategic support.
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