When it comes to large format printing, consistency is everything. Customers expect sharp details, vibrant colours, and professional finishing, whether they’re ordering banners, signage, posters, or vehicle wraps.

However, achieving standardisation across different jobs, machines, and materials can be a challenge. Variations in substrates, ink types, and printer settings can result in inconsistent output, colour shifts, and quality discrepancies.

A Print MIS helps to eliminate these inconsistencies by standardising workflows, automating job specifications, and synchronising production settings.

Challenges in Standardising Wide Format Prints

Variations Across Different Printers, Ink Types & Substrates

Unlike traditional printing, wide format printing involves a wide range of materials and equipment configurations.

Common challenges include:

• Different printers producing slightly different results
• Ink absorption varying across substrates like vinyl, mesh, or fabric
• Lack of uniformity when switching between printing methods (UV, latex, solvent, or aqueous inks)

Without consistent colour management and substrate-specific settings, print shops risk delivering inconsistent quality across multiple jobs.

Incorrect Hardware Settings & Material Variations Affect Output

The same job printed on two different machines can produce different results if printer settings aren’t aligned.

Issues caused by inconsistent hardware settings:

• Incorrect ICC profiles leading to colour shifts
• Incompatible print resolutions creating blurry or pixelated prints
• Substrate variations requiring different drying or curing times

Without automated workflow standardisation, these inconsistencies impact turnaround times and customer satisfaction.

Lack of Workflow Standardisation Across Operators

When multiple operators are responsible for setting up jobs, each person may:

• Use different print profiles
• Manually adjust colour settings
• Handle job preparation differently

This results in:

• Inconsistent print quality between orders
• Errors in artwork alignment and finishing
• Difficulty in matching previous jobs for repeat customers

Reproducing Orders Without Saved Job Settings

Customers frequently request reprints or branded materials requiring colour consistency.

Without saved job settings, print shops may struggle to:

• Match colours precisely
• Recreate jobs to the same exact specifications
• Ensure uniform print quality across different production runs

A lack of automation in job standardisation results in wasted time, reprints, and unhappy customers.

How Print MIS Standardises Large Format Printing

A Print MIS solves wide format production inconsistencies by automating settings, synchronising workflows, and ensuring uniform output across machines and substrates.

Predefined Profiles for Different Materials & Substrates

• Automatically applies the correct print profiles for specific substrates (e.g., PVC, fabric, mesh, acrylic)
• Ensures ink densities and curing settings are adjusted accordingly
• Eliminates the need for manual adjustments, reducing errors

With a Print MIS, every job follows pre-set parameters to maintain colour accuracy and consistency across all print types.

Automated Job Ticketing & Uniform Specifications

A wide format production management system generates:

• Automated job tickets with predefined settings
• Standardised print resolutions, colour profiles, and finishing requirements
• Consistent data across all production workflows

Operators receive clear, structured job instructions, minimising quality discrepancies caused by manual input errors.

Error-Free Printing with Automated File Checking

• Automated preflight checks detect missing fonts, incorrect file resolutions, and alignment issues
• Built-in validation ensures jobs meet print-ready specifications before production begins
• Reduced need for manual proofing, saving time and minimising costly reprints

With wide format print software, jobs are error-free from the start, increasing workflow efficiency and print accuracy.

Synchronised Settings Across the Entire Workflow

A Print MIS integrates with RIP software and production equipment, ensuring:

Consistent colour calibration across all printers
Uniform print quality for multi-machine production
Seamless transition between different jobs and substrates

With centralised control, operators can replicate settings for repeat orders, guaranteeing consistent branding for customers.

The Benefits of Standardising Large Format Printing with Print MIS

By implementing a Print MIS for wide format printing, businesses can:

• Ensure accurate, repeatable colour consistency across all prints
• Reduce production errors and costly reprints
• Maintain workflow standardisation regardless of machine or operator
• Save time with automated job setup and pre-defined print profiles
• Improve customer satisfaction with consistent, high-quality output

Conclusion

Standardisation is critical in wide format printing, where colour accuracy, substrate compatibility, and workflow efficiency determine the quality of the final product.

A Print MIS eliminates guesswork and inconsistencies, ensuring that every print job meets the same high standards. From predefined job settings to automated error checking, it enables seamless production, minimal waste, and superior print quality.

By integrating wide format print quoting, estimation, and production management, a Print MIS helps print businesses deliver consistently high-quality results while reducing errors and inefficiencies.

If you’re looking to standardise large format printing, investing in a Print MIS is the most effective way to achieve precision, repeatability, and customer satisfaction.