Poster Printer
What It Is
A poster printer is a machine that is capable of printing large format images onto a variety of types of paper. These poster making printers come with a built in scanner that will copy graphics and then enlarge them. These devices are most commonly used to make commercial posters, signs, and banners. They are used in a variety of environments including retail, trade shows, and business presentations.

How It Works
Color poster printers utilize thermal technology to create their prints. There are two ways that a poster size printer can work: through a scanner, or directly from a computer. The method that a specific printer uses depends heavily on the poster printer supplier and model type.

A unit that has a built in scanner will copy and enlarge a normal size print. For example, you can place an eight by eleven inch print into the scanning unit and the image will be enlarged to the roll of paper.

A unit that works directly from a computer must incorporate a Prolynx unit with it. This unit is an electronic interface that takes the computers print information and transfers it to the poster printer. The best quality posters are generated by these types of printers.

Paper
Even discount poster printers or the cheapest poster printers use direct thermal paper to create posters. This paper starts out white and then colors are chemically added. With a scanning poster printer the image that is scanned is transferred to heated print heads and then transferred to the paper.

Other Features
Most poster printers produce images that can be laminated. In addition, metal gourmets can be installed into the laminate for a sturdy way to hang posters and banners, especially for outdoor use.

Also, some poster printers have a self cleaning print head for convenient maintenance. This helps reduce the appearance of spots and lines on your prints that are not supposed to be there.

Most printers give you the option of printing on a high gloss, semi gloss or matte finish. In addition, you can choose mediums that have adhesive backing. You may also find printers that print not only on paper but on mesh, vinyl, and canvas as well.