Are wall printers the end of cut vinyl? or is it just a headwind to mind?

[depps74]

I recently had a client inform me they were using a wall printer for their next exhibition. https://thewallprinter.com/en/ I looked into this tech a few years ago and found it to be very poor quality. Since then though now there seems to be a lot of companies doing this. They can also sell their product as environmentally friendly and at a fraction of the cost. Wondering if anyone out there has any thoughts as to whether or not this tech is a serious headwind to get ahead of? I mean printing to me has always felt harder than cut lettering, installing is one shot, and to put those two things together seems ludicrous, but maybe the tech is there now? Crossing my fingers.

 

[unclebun]

I don't think they replace cut vinyl. They replace wall wraps.

 

[Solventinkjet]

It's cool and all but I can only see it being used for some niche projects. It's downsides are pretty big. Only prints 20 sq.ft. per hour, you've got to lug it out to each site and set it up, it uses DX7 heads which are notoriously bad with UV inks, and removal has got to be a huge PITA compared to a wall vinyl you can just pull off. It looks like they've had some success with it but I don't see it taking over vinyl anytime soon.

 

[MarkSnelling]

I don't want to negative about new tech, but I keep wondering "what happens if a nozzle goes out?" It seems like it would be difficult to keep the heads in good shape.

 

[unclebun]

I remember people talking about these being the next great thing all the way back when I first started doing signs, now some 33 years ago. They were printing with paint back then. Never became anything beyond an experiment and some hype. Maybe they have something that works now. But I suspect they are still glossing over how difficult or limited it really is. Like can you get all the way to a corner? All the way from ceiling to baseboard? How is registration of spray on rough surfaces like brick or stone? Do the print heads clog when operated in bright sunlight? And so on.

 

[d fleming]

ever had your printer choke at the last foot of a 20 foot banner?

 

[balstestrat]

I remember someone saying they had something like this. But it's a pain in the ass if you have any issues the job is likely ruined. You have to possibly paint and re-do the whole wall. Then all your cost savings are gone.

Looks really fascinating device but I can see the issues.

 

[White Haus]

I don't want to negative about new tech, but I keep wondering "what happens if a nozzle goes out?" It seems like it would be difficult to keep the heads in good shape.

That's a fair point/concern. Then I guess you're stuck repainting the client's wall, waiting for paint to dry, then re-printing the job.

I wonder if they have adhesion issues like vinyl sometimes does on certain paints. (I'm too lazy to look it up)

I thought it was cool at first, but got sick of seeing all their posts (ads) on LinkedIn and unfollowed them.

The tech is interesting, but I'll stick to vinyl.

 

[Bobby H]

The concept is really very interesting. But, as others have noted, it's very easy to immediately consider all the possible draw backs. My first concern is the portable printer having a level and unobstructed work space. You're not always going to have that, especially on exterior building walls. It would be a real pain in the neck having to install something akin to a motion picture camera dolly track just to give the printer a level travel path. What about obstructions, such as down spouts, conduits, etc.? Removing the graphics? Well...

I still think the concept is interesting in that such printers could output designs onto some unusual surfaces that might not be so friendly to vinyl.

 

[victor bogdanov]

It is trash. super slow and expensive for the customer.

Compare wall wrap vs wall printer

Take a 10 ft x 20 ft mural.

Traditional method

Print on quality material for under $1/sq ft, takes 45 minutes to print 200sq ft (do other stuff while printing)

Drive to site, install 10 x 10 in 2hrs max.

Entire project done in 3hrs max (not counting drive time)

something messes up, no problem reprint a panel


Wall printer method

arrive on site, set up printer, IDK how long it takes but lets say 1HR to set up printer
start printing.

Print, I'm seeing speeds of 60 sq ft /hr print speed, So print for 3.5hrs and I guess sit around watching the printer go.

Done printing, disassemble printer 1HR

5.5 hrs spent best case

something goes wrong, I guess repaint the wall?



Also ink cost is more since you are putting down white ink, white ink ends up being more expensive than vinyl




I'm seeing companies that use wall printers advertise prints at $15+ / sq ft, significantly higher than vinyl



Printing in a controlled environment is already hard enough, can't image how many problems will pop up on a mobile printer

 

[victor bogdanov]

Another thing I forgot to mention is the printer price:

• Premium Options ($30k+): The Wall Printer (USA) packages start at $35,000–$39,995, offering high-resolution (2880 DPI) UV printing with support and training.
• Mid-Range/Import Options ($6k–$15k):DXonJet (approx. $25k–$30k for advanced models) or
  Tudox ($8,000–$11,000).
  

 

[Smoke_Jaguar]

Having had to work on a few wall printers, they're just not machines that are going to hold up unless they are operated by people who are going to deal with their fragility. Most material that becomes a wall is pretty flat and it just makes more sense to print beforehand and then install/splice/replace the section. Or just slap something like ACM atop the existing wall. The things have been around for at least a decade, and I either see them new or almost new and broken. The rigidity and accuracy needed for a good print at those sizes just aren't conducive to a portable printer.

 

[VizualVoice]

I've seen multiples of them for sale on marketplace recently, relatively new with lots of hype in the ad. If it's SO great, why are you selling it?

 

[Boudica]

I've seen multiples of them for sale on marketplace recently, relatively new with lots of hype in the ad. If it's SO great, why are you selling it?

LOL, they got it for that "one job", then couldn't sell the idea to anyone else.

 

[depps74]

This is very helpful and reassuring thanks everyone, keep em coming! but just as a heads up, the Smithsonian is now using them so I take it something must be working? But I agree with everyone here, why bother? too much can go wrong.

 

[victor bogdanov]

This is very helpful and reassuring thanks everyone, keep em coming! but just as a heads up, the Smithsonian is now using them so I take it something must be working? But I agree with everyone here, why bother? too much can go wrong.

The government is known for efficient spending, they would never overpay

 

[Pauly]

I don't think they replace cut vinyl. They replace wall wraps.

Absolutely not. those things are absolute trash. Its a literal scam.

These things have been around for over 10+ years and they are not taking over.

 

[garyroy]

They remind me of DTG printers. A fad for sure.
DTG never put screen printers out of business.

 

[victor bogdanov]

They remind me of DTG printers. A fad for sure.
DTG never put screen printers out of business.

Many screenprinters are switching to dtf, industrial dtg is very good too. The smart screenprinters are using the digital methods.

Especially as print on demand becomes more popular

Not a good comparison

 

[Smoke_Jaguar]

If you know a machine and its limits well, you can specialize in something that is fragile or difficult. If you were going to train up on one and treat it as a main gig, you could make some good money with one. If you want to try and run it like a side gig or to compliment an existing shop, might not be a great fit.